Poll From Desjarlais Opponent Shows Close Race

By Julie Sobel  //  October 17, 2012 | 1:23 p.m.

Rep. Scott DesJarlais, R-Tenn., may have done real damage to his reelection prospects, according to an internal poll released by his Democratic opponent, state Sen. Eric Stewart.

DesJarlais has been heavily favored to win his campaign in the heavily Republican district, it came out last week that he pressured a patient to get an abortion after having an affair with her.

The poll, conducted by Myers Research & Strategic Services, finds DesJarlais narrowly leading, with 49 percent support to Stewart's 44 percent.

A polling memo notes that six in ten voters report having read, seen or heard something about DesJarlais in the past week, and by a two to one edge they say it has made them less likely to back DesJarlais.

DesJarlais underperforms Mitt Romney in the poll, and Stewart out-performs President Obama: Romney holds a 56 percent to 38 percent lead in the survey. The poll was conducted Oct. 14-15, surveying 400 likely voters. The margin of error is plus-or-minus 4.9 percentage points.

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