Poll: Hanabusa takes late lead over Schatz

Rep. Colleen Hanabusa (D-Hawaii) is now leading Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) ahead of Saturday’s primary, according to a new poll, the first in months to show her on top.

Hanabusa leads Schatz with 50 percent support to 42 percent in a live-caller poll, conducted for the Honolulu Star-Advertiser and Hawaii News Now by Ward Research.

{mosads}The survey is a sharp split from other recent public and private polls, most of which found Schatz with a lead in the high single digits. Pollsters often say Hawaii is the hardest state in the nation to accurately survey because of its unique ethnic mix and the different politics on each of the islands.

Schatz has raised and spent more money on the race so far, but both candidates have been on the air for weeks heading into the primary.

Their allies have been as well: The League of Conservation Voters has been on the air for Schatz, while EMILY’s List has been airing spots for Hanabusa.

The poll also shows Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie (D) badly trailing his challenger, state Sen. David Ige (D), by 18 points. Abercrombie has trailed Ige in most polls, but this is a larger margin than other surveys have found.

The live-caller poll of 692 likely voters was conducted from July 21-29 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percent.

This post was updated at 2:20 p.m.