46% of Democrats undecided on Senate candidate

Posted Jun 23, 2010

Dylan Smith
TucsonSentinel.com

Glassman, Parraz, Eden and Dougherty (clockwise from top left).

46 percent of likely voters in Arizona's Democratic primary haven't made up their minds on a candidate yet, according to a new poll.

14 percent back a candidate other than the top four, leaving the major candidates to split 40 percent of the party.

Former Tucson city councilman Rodney Glassman is the choice of 12 percent, in a near tie with former state Rep. Cathy Eden, who was picked by 11 percent in a telephone survey by Rasmussen Reports.

Labor organizer Randy Parraz was given the nod by 9 percent, and ex-investigative reporter John Dougherty was the choice of 8 percent, according to the conservative pollster. 14 percent of Democrats back another (unlisted) candidate.

Dougherty has called for a series of primary debates. All of the Democratic hopefuls but Glassman have agreed to participate; Glassman says there will be debates arranged by neutral parties and not by a particular campaign.

On the other side of the aisle, incumbent Sen. John McCain leads former U.S. Rep. J.D. Hayworth 47 to 36 percent in the latest Rasmussen poll.

The Democratic candidates have concentrated on running against McCain, rather than against each other. Glassman and Dougherty in particular have focused their attention on challenging the longtime senator.

Arizona's primary election is Aug. 24.