Talking Points Memo: Poll: Dem Candidate Ahead For GOP-Held House Seat In Delaware
December 7, 2009

The new survey of Delaware by Public Policy Polling (D) finds the Democrats favored to pick up the state's open House seat, with former Lt. Gov. John Carney leading the Republicans candidates by wide margins.

Carney, who narrowly lost the 2008 Democratic primary for governor, leads former state Sen. Charlie Copeland by 44%-32%. Carney also leads businessman Fred Cullis by 47%-24%.

The seat has opened up due to incumbent Republican Mike Castle opting to run for Senate in 2010, seeking Vice President Joe Biden's former Senate seat. While Castle is a strong recruit for the Republicans on the Senate side, their gain could be the House GOP's loss.

"The Delaware House seat is a rare strong pick up opportunity for Democrats in what's shaping up as a Republican year," said PPP president Dean Debnam, in the polling memo. "The lack of a strong Republican bench in the state is going to make it hard to hold onto the seat Mike Castle has held for the last 18 years."