Dem poll claims lead in NY special election

New York state Assemblyman David Weprin (D) holds an 8-point lead in the race to replace former Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.), according to a Democratic poll obtained by The Hill.

The poll, conducted by Democratic pollster Global Strategies Group, shows Weprin leading Republican businessman Bob Turner 47 percent to 39 percent. Its release comes the day after Turner’s campaign touted its own poll showing the race tied. Both polls were conducted at the same time.

{mosads}A Turner win would be an upset in the Democratic-leaning district, which encompasses parts of Brooklyn and Queens and has trended a bit Republican in recent years because of a shift in support from the growing Orthodox Jewish community toward the GOP.

Weprin is an Orthodox Jew, and held a fundraiser with Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.), a fellow Orthodox Jew, on Wednesday afternoon. Turner has the endorsement of former New York City Mayor Ed Koch, a Democrat who has endorsed members of both parties. Koch said voters should back Turner to send a message to President Obama that he needs to be a stronger supporter of Israel.

Democrats have remained confident enough about the race not to have spent any money in the expensive media market for Weprin, who holds a cash advantage over Turner at this point. The National Republican Congressional Committee has given Turner a five-figure sum in the race, although it has not disclosed whether that is $10,000 or closer to $100,000.

The poll of 400 likely voters was conducted from Aug. 30-31 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.9 percent.

The special election to replace Weiner, who resigned after sending suggestive pictures of himself to women via social media sites, is Sept. 13.