Democrat still up in Michigan, but Senate race tightening

A new poll shows the Michigan Senate race is tightening, with Republican Terri Lynn Land gaining ground, but Democratic Rep. Gary Peters still holds a solid lead.

The poll, conducted by EPIC MRA for WXYZ-TV 7 and the Detroit Free Press, gives Peters 45 percent support, while Land, a former Michigan secretary of State, takes 39 percent support. Sixteen percent of respondents are undecided.

That’s an improvement for Land from the group’s last survey, in July, when Peters also drew 45 percent support but held a nine-point lead.

Still, Land is seen more negatively than Peters. She’s slightly underwater with voters, with about a third of respondents each saying they view her negatively and positively. But 20 percent of those who have a negative view of her say they view her “very unfavorably.”

Peters is still viewed more positively, with 28 percent saying they view him favorably, and 24 percent viewing him unfavorably; only 9 percent feel strongly negative about him. He’s also got more room to grow than Land, with another quarter of respondents saying they didn’t recognize him.

While Republicans have made Michigan’s open Senate seat competitive, Peters is still favored to retain the seat for Democrats this fall.