Poll: Smith Leads Raja in Race for 37th District
New polling data reveals lead for Democrat Matt Smith in race to fill seat vacated by former Sen. Pippy.
New polling data shows Mt. Lebanon Democrat Matt Smith edging out Republican D. Raja by a 16-point lead in the race for Pennsylvania's 37th senatorial district.
The data, conducted by the Washington D.C.-based pollster firm Thirty Ninth Street Strategies, shows 54 percent of voters in the district, which encompasses Moon and Crescent, favoring Smith versus 38 percent favoring Raja.
Four percent of voters in the district are undecided, according to a statement from the polling firm.
Smith, who now represents the state's 42nd legislative district, was nominated in July by Allegheny and Washington county Democrats to vie for the seat vacated by former Pennsylvania Sen. John Pippy, R-Moon.
Raja, a Mt. Lebanon software CEO, captured the Republican nomination for the race during the spring primary, ousting Moon-based state Rep. Mark Mustio and Bethel Park conservative activist Sue Means.
Pippy left his senate seat in June to become the CEO of the new Pennsylvania Coal Alliance. His term was set to expire at the end of the year.
Other data from the poll:
- Of registered voters in the district, 44 percent identify as Democrats and 39 percent identify as Republicans. Independent voters make up 17 percent of the district's voters.
- Republican Mitt Romney holds a one-point lead in the district: 47 percent of voters expressed support for the GOP nominee while 46 percent plan to vote for President Obama. Seven percent of voters in the district are undecided.
- U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Scranton, leads Republican Tom Smith at 50 percent to 36 percent. Four percent of voters are undecided.
Debbie Maritato
7:32 am on Thursday, August 30, 2012
I cannot comprehend the mindset if re-electing what has by all accounts been the worst President in the history of this country! We are facing destructive debt, the highest unemployment since the Depression, total loss of control of our own healthcare decisions, the list goes on! We need to change the "leadership" and the direction of this country! This country cannot withstand 4 more years of this administration!
Shirley Dean
11:15 pm on Thursday, October 25, 2012
Here's your options people, Raja who is a reformer that isn't a career politician and who brings a fresh perspective, OR Matt Smith who is a Harrisburg politician that lied about taking a pension, voted for raising taxes on small businesses, and has voted for over 5 billion in new spending INCLUDING the Arlen Spectar Library AND funding for Jerry Sandusky's 2nd mile. YES THIS IS A VERIFIABLE FACT, MATT SMITH VOTED TO FUND JERRY SANDUSKY'S CHARITY AFTER THE ALLEGATIONS HAD BEEN MADE- Matt is too busy running for House, Senate, and being a full time attorney to read the legislation he's voting for OR he's so far in the back pockets of Education Unions that it's blinding. Please check for yourself and your own two eyes (Act 130 12/19/2011) (Capitol Budgets 2009-2011) .