Rooney down seven in internal poll

An internal poll for Republican challenger Tom Rooney shows him nipping at freshman Rep. Tim Mahoney’s (D) heels.

Fresh off his August primary win, Rooney trails Mahoney 48-41, with 11 percent of voters undecided, according to the Tarrance Group poll. The poll attributes Mahoney’s advantage to name identification because of incumbency.

{mosads}One warning sign for Mahoney is his low reelect ratings. The poll showed only 32 percent of voters feel he has performed well enough to merit reelection, whereas 41 percent want to see someone new in office, including 29 percent of Democrats and 41 percent of independents.

In the presidential race, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) has an 11-point lead, 53-42, and Republicans also lead the generic congressional ballot.

Rooney is an Army veteran and attorney. He was formerly an assistant state attorney general under Gov. Charlie Crist (R) and has taught criminal and constitutional law at the United States Military Academy at West Point.

Mahoney defeated Republican Joe Negron last cycle after the incumbent Republican, Rep. Mark Foley, was discovered having inappropriate interactions with House pages.

A Mahoney spokesman said: “Sixteenth district voters appreciate Congressman Mahoney’s independent voice, which is why he has a substantial lead even in a poll paid for by our opponent."