Coons expands lead over O’Donnell in latest poll

New Castle County Executive Chris Coons (D.) has a 21-point lead over Christine O’Donnell (R.), according to an FDU poll.

The latest independent poll shows a growing gap in Delaware’s U.S. Senate race.  Democrat Chris Coons, the New Castle County Executive, leads Republican Christine O’Donnell, 57% to 36%, according to the Fairleigh Dickinson University Public Mind Poll released just five days before the election.

The 21-point advantage held by Coons is up from 17 points in a similar poll less than a month ago.

FDU Political Science professor Dan Cassino says O’Donnell has increased her support among conservatives, Republicans, and those who describe themselves as pro-life and in favor of gun ownership.  However, Cassino says it would be “an historic comeback for her to win on Tuesday.”  Likewise, he says Democrats cannot afford to take the election lightly, noting that a weak turnout could impact other races on the Delaware ballot.

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O’Donnell, with the backing of the tea party, upset Representative Michael Castle in the September Republican primary.  In a hypothetical match-up, the FDU poll found that Castle would be leading Coons, 54% to 33%.

797 randomly selected likely voters were surveyed for the poll between October 20th and October 26th.  The poll has a margin of error of plus-or-minus 3.5%.

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Daniel McElhatton, spokesman for the Chris Coons campaign, says they believe the gap is smaller than 21 points and the campaign will carry on as if it’s much closer.

Christine O’Donnell campaign spokesman Doug Sachtlaben says their internal polling shows a “much tighter and closing race.”