Durbin up big in challenger’s poll

Dr. Steve Sauerberg (R) faces an uphill climb in his bid to unseat Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D), according to a poll released by Sauerberg’s campaign.

A survey of 1,500 likely voters released Tuesday by Sauerberg’s campaign shows Durbin holding a 52-35 advantage. It follows a July 10 Rasmussen poll that showed the incumbent holding a 61-27 edge.

{mosads}The Sauerberg campaign claimed that its polling data indicated a tighter-than-expected race, noting that 60 percent of respondents did not know enough about Sauerberg to form a favorable or unfavorable opinion of him.

“We are confident that as more people hear about Dr. Sauerberg’s prescription for change, that our numbers will continue to improve,” said Sauerberg campaign manager Christopher Hage.

Durbin is heavily favored in November, though, and Durbin’s campaign put little faith in Sauerberg’s internal polling results.

Spokesman Michael Daly accused Sauerberg of running a push poll and declined to comment.

Sauerberg’s campaign said the 52-35 result came from an uninformed ballot question.