Despite low job approval numbers, Democratic Sen. Mark Udall remains locked in a statistical tie with Republican Rep. Cory Gardner in one of the most competitive U.S. Senate contests of the year.
Udall, who is vying for a second term, is at 42 percent and Gardner is at 44 percent, according to a new poll unveiled Thursday by Quinnipiac University.
When compared to a poll released in April, Udall has lost 3 percentage points in the head-to-head match-up, while Gardner’s remained the same.
Among unaffiliated voters, who swing statewide elections in Colorado, Udall polls at 43 percent and Gardner at 40 percent, according to Thursday’s poll, which has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.9 percentage points.
“This race shifts back and forth a point or two and remains too close to call. There’s a whole lot at stake as Sen. Mark Udall runs neck and neck with U.S. Rep. Cory Gardner, the GOP challenger, in a marquee race that could tip the balance of the Senate,” Tim Malloy, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University polling, said in a statement.
Forty-six percent of Colorado voters disapprove of the way Udall is handling his job as senator, while 42 percent say they approve. The approval rating is Udall’s lowest in the six polls Quinnipiac conducted in Colorado starting more than a year ago.
Meanwhile, President Barack Obama’s approval rating among Colorado voters is at 39 percent and, for the most part, remains unchanged since April’s poll.
Last week in Denver, Obama headlined a high-dollar fundraiser for Udall, who remained in Washington, D.C. to cast votes and introduce legislation.
Both Udall and Gardner are looking to capture the support of women voters and based on Thursday’s poll Udall appears to have the upper hand. More women — 49 percent — back Udall than back Gardner — 40 percent.
When asked, “Who do you think would do a better job on issues that are especially important to women?” Udall received 47 percent compared to Gardner’s 34 percent.
But on the question of jobs and the economy, 46 percent of voters said Gardner would do a better job compared to 35 percent, who said Udall would do better. Moreover, on the question of who “would be better helping the middle class” 44 percent said Gardner would do a better job and 39 percent for Udall.
Quinnipiac polled 1,147 Colorado voters from July 10 until 14.
Additional snapshots from the poll include:
•44 percent compared to 37 percent of voters believe Udall would be better on energy and the environment.
• 40 percent compared to 38 percent — a statistical tie — believe Gardner would be better on immigration.
• 46 percent compared to 33 percent of voters believe Gardner would be better on gun control.
Kurtis Lee: 303-954-1655, klee@denverpost.com or twitter.com/kurtisalee