Gubernatorial candidate Doug Mastriano and U.S. Senate contender Mehmet Oz are leading their respective GOP primary fields, according to a new poll.
The survey, conducted by the Trafalgar Group, spoke to 1,080 likely GOP voters in order to gauge each candidate’s support ahead of the May 17 primary election.
According to the results, Mastriano has a notable lead in the crowded gubernatorial field, leading the closest opponent by roughly 10 points. The state senator collected 27.6 percent of the support.
Lou Barletta followed him with 17.6 percent. Dave White took third place with 15.1 percent, as Bill McSwain received 14.4 percent. Jake Corman, Melissa Hart, Joe Gale, and Charlie Gerow were all stuck in the single digits.
While Trump has not endorsed a candidate in the race, he has come out in opposition to McSwain. He told voters to “not vote for Bill McSwain, a coward, who let our Country down.”
However, Trump has formally weighed in on the Pennsylvania U.S. Senate race, backing Mehmet Oz.
“This is all about winning elections in order to stop the Radical Left maniacs from destroying our Country. The Great Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has a tremendous opportunity to Save America by electing the brilliant and well-known Dr. Mehmet Oz for the United States Senate. I have known Dr. Oz for many years, as have many others, even if only through his very successful television show. He has lived with us through the screen and has always been popular, respected, and smart,” the former president said in the endorsement.
However, despite the endorsement, the Senate race is extremely tight.
Oz leads the field with 24.5 percent of support. However, following right behind him is Kathy Barnette with 23.2 percent. Also within the margin of error is Dave McCormick with 21.6 percent.
All other candidates, including Jeff Bartos and Carla Sands, are in the single digits.
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Cooper Moran is a reporter for The Pennsylvania Daily Star and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Doug Mastriano” by Senator Doug Mastriano. Background Photo “Election Day 2020” by Phil Roeder. CC BY 2.0.
