Georgia Senate Race Tightens as New Poll Shows Dead Heat Between Incumbent and Challenger

ATLANTA — A new poll shows Georgia's U.S. Senate race has tightened dramatically in recent weeks, with the incumbent and challenger now essentially tied among likely voters.

The survey shows the incumbent leading by just 1.2 percentage points — well within the poll's 3.5-point margin of error — after leading by 7 points six weeks ago.

The shift has been driven largely by independent voters, who now favor the challenger by 8 points.

"This race is now a true toss-up," said Charles Bullock, a political science professor at the University of Georgia. "The incumbent has the advantages of incumbency and a strong fundraising operation, but the challenger has momentum and a message that is resonating with swing voters."