By NICK SLOAN, nick@kansascitykansan.com
KANSAS CITY, KAN. ----- If today's poll from the Public Policy Polling outlet is a great indicator of this November's races in Kansas, two third party candidates could each play a major role in the outcome of the two biggest races in Kansas.
PPP's poll shows that Democratic challenger Paul Davis leads Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback 39 to 37 percent. Meanwhile, Libertarian Keen Umbehr received nine percent of the vote. According to the poll, 65 percent of Umbehr's voters would choose Davis as their second choice.
It's the highest level of support Umbehr's received in a poll this year. It's the fourth poll from a third separate outlet that shows a lead for Davis. Brownback led a New York Times poll taken in July.
Umbehr is not the only third party candidate making noise in Kansas.
In this year's U.S. Senate race, Independent Greg Orman is receiving nearly one-fourth of the vote. U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts (R-KS) leads the race with 32 percent of the vote. Democratic nominee Chad Taylor has 25 percent of the vote, while Orman checks in third place with 23 percent.
In a head to head race, Orman would beat Roberts 43 to 33 percent, according to the poll. Taylor trails Roberts in a head-to-head contest 43 to 39 percent.
More here.
