Polls show Pennsylvania Democrats overtaking rivals

In Bucks County, incumbent Patrick Murphy moves ahead of Mike Fitzpatrick in race for Congress.

Two polls out Wednesday show Democratic candidates have wrestled the lead away from their Republican rivals. An Allentown Morning Call/Muhlenberg College poll shows U.S. Senate candidate Joe Sestak has pulled ahead of Republican Pat Toomey.

And a poll of voters in Bucks County’s 8th Congressional District shows the incumbent is also gaining ground.

The Hill 2010 Midterm Election Poll gave Congressman Patrick Murphy a three-point lead over challenger Mike Fitzpatrick in the race. Murphy said his record, and his plans for the future, are drawing voters.

“You’re seeing Democrats, and moderate Republicans, and independents bounce back to say, wait a second I don’t want these tea party candidates to represent my family,” said Murphy. “When I give them my word on what I stand for, what I fight for, like middle-class families, like jobs, like our seniors, and especially my brother and sister veterans – they can take that to the bank.”

With the poll numbers tightening, the two Pennsylvania politicians have been bringing in some big guns to campaign for them. On Wednesday, Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin traveled to a senior center in Bristol to talk about protecting Social Security — and to stump for Murphy.

Tuesday, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie traveled to the district to campaign for Fitzpatrick.

Past polls have shown Murphy trailing Mike Fitzpatrick — at times by double digits.
Fitzpatrick represented the district until he was unseated by Murphy four years ago.