CHICAGO - State Senator Jim Oberweis (R-Aurora) would have a better chance to oust U.S. Senator Dick Durbin than former Congressman Joe Walsh, a We Ask America poll found this week. However, in the poll both Oberweis and Walsh come within 18 points of the senior senator - even before either has officially announced.
Oberweis, who ran for statewide offices in 2002, 2004 and 2008, showed eleven points behind Durbin 49.97% to 38.67%, with 11.36% undecided.
In a Walsh vs. Durbin race, former Congressman Joe Walsh, who lost re-election in 2012, showed 18 points behind Durbin, 52.91% to 34.16%, with 12.93% undecided.
Among the 1434 likely voters polled, both Durbin and Oberweis' names were more recognized statewide than Walsh's. Durbin' and Oberweis' favorables were higher than their unfavorables, in contrast with Walsh's, whose unfavorables were two points higher than his favorables.
In a Durbin vs Oberweis race, each of them polled higher than the other in their respective political bases, but Oberweis' numbers are higher among independent voters. Oberweis fared better among younger voters and Durbin polled better among older voters.
This week's poll did not include questions about declared GOP candidates Doug Truax or Chad Koppie.
