Poll: Debbie Dingell a front-runner to potentially replace Carl Levin

WASHINGTON – A new poll of potential replacements for U.S. Sen. Carl Levin shows Debbie Dingell – a Democratic National Committee member and wife of U.S. Rep. John Dingell of Dearborn – with a chance of winning the nomination, scoring no worse than a tie with U.S. Rep. Gary Peters in a head-to-head matchup.

East Lansing pollster Steve Mitchell used an automated poll to talk to likely voters between March 19-21. He found that, in a Democratic primary matchup, Dingell leads Peters (D-Bloomfield Township) 30% to 25% -- but with a large percentage – 45% - undecided.

While others could enter the race and the field as far from decided, Dingell’s and Peters’ names were the only ones tested in Mitchell’s calls to 387 likely Democratic voters. The margin of error was plus or minus 4.98 percentage points. Taking that into account, the matchup could potentially be a tie – though Dingell’s name scored higher.

Peters has said he is seriously considering entering the race following Levin’s announcement early this month that he would not run for a seventh-term in 2014. Dingell has been mentioned as a possible candidate, but has not said whether she is interested in running or not.


http://www.freep.com/article/20130328/NEWS15/130328048/Poll-Debbie-Dingell-front-runner-potentially-replace-Senator-Carl-Levin