Several polls show Chambliss race a dead heat

A number of recent polls have shown the battle for Georgia’s Senate seat to be a dead heat.

In a Survey USA poll taken over the weekend, Republican incumbent Saxby Chambliss (R) leads attorney Jim Martin (D) 46-43, within the margin of error, and an InsiderAdvantage poll conducted on Thursday put the candidates in a tie at 45-45.

While polls conducted in June put the first-term senator up by as many as 29 points, his campaign said it anticipated a tight race.

“Sen. Chambliss said when the polls showed a 20-point lead, ‘Don’t believe that, this will be a tight race,’ ” spokeswoman Michelle Grasso said. “This campaign has always been run on that presumption. The only poll that really matters is the one taken on Election Day.”

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee said this week that it has sent money to help fund Martin's ads.

Martin’s campaign said the polls reflect a desire for change in Washington.

“Georgians are looking for a change and for a senator who will show real leadership in Washington, and they’re looking increasingly to Jim Martin,” spokeswoman Kate Hansen said.