UT-04: Mia Love Vulnerable In Re-Election Race

As Rep. Mia Love bids for a third term this year, she faces a well-known and well-liked Democrat while Republicans nationally are expected to perform poorly in the midterms. Her campaign won’t be easy.

A new Salt Lake Tribune-Hinckley Institute of Politics poll shows Love, a Utah Republican, with a small 5-point edge over Salt Lake County Mayor Ben McAdams — a slightly narrower lead than she had three months ago and just outside of the margin of error of plus or minus 4.9 percentage points. That means the matchup could be a dead heat.

“This is going to be an exceptionally close race,” said Jason Perry, director of the Hinckley Institute. “And I think it’s going to stay close to the very end.”

Political handicappers have already listed the race as a possible opportunity for Democrats to nab a seat typically considered safely Republican. That assessment is at least partially owing to the unpopularity of President Donald Trump.

While 48 percent of voters statewide approve of Trump’s job performance, just 42 percent do in the 4th Congressional District — and 56 percent disapprove. So neither Love nor McAdams, Perry said, will be successful by cuddling up to the president.

The latest poll, conducted by Dan Jones & Associates, put the GOP congresswoman ahead of the mayor, 47 percent to 42 percent, with 11 percent undecided. Love earned more of the vote in both of her previous elections against Democrat Doug Owens (whom she beat in 2014 with a 5.1 point margin and in 2016 with a 12.5 point margin).


https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2018/01/25/mia-love-has-a-small-lead-over-ben-mcadams-in-exceptionally-close-race-to-represent-utah-in-congress-new-poll-shows/