Poll: Dem Stabenow has 9-point lead over Republican James in Michigan Senate race

Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) holds a 9-point lead over Republican challenger John James in Michigan’s Senate race, according to a new poll that shows a tightening race.

Stabenow has the support of 51 percent of likely voters, compared to James’s 42 percent, according to the poll released Thursday by Mitchell Research and Communications.

{mosads}In a previous poll released in September, Stabenow had a 13-point lead. 

Steve Mitchell, president of Mitchell Research and Communications, said the new polling  signals a tightening race and shows the impact of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s contentious confirmation process.

Mitchell added that Stabenow is still “in a good position.”

“However the race is tightening and with a month to go, a great deal can happen. … This race is far from over at this time,” he said.

James is a businessman who is backed by President Trump. Trump’s son, Donald Trump, Jr., plans to campaign next week for James.

The nonpartisan Cook Political Report rates the race between Stabenow and James as “likely Democrat.” FiveThirtyEight rates the race as “solid Democrat.”

A RealClearPolitics average of polling shows Stabenow with a 16-point lead.

The results of the poll released Thursday were based on surveys of 654 likely voters in Michigan from Sept. 30 to Oct. 7. The poll has a margin of error of 3.8 percentage points.