U.S. Sen. Scott Brown and his Democratic opponent Elizabeth Warren are averaging a 3.6-percent difference in multiple polls, according to Real Clear Politics polling data.
The candidates are pulling close numbers so far in the Senate race. The data, which averaged polls dating from Jan. 31 to March 27, showed Brown leading the way by 3.6 percent. Brown gathered 45.7 percent while Warren counted for 42.1 percent.
With seven months until Election Day, the validity of these polls on accurately predicting the winner may be unclear, according to officials.
“The further removed you are from anything, the less stock you should put in polls,” said Boston University political science Professor Doug Kriner. “The polls are an accurate representation of public opinion at the time, but they can’t be sure the public opinion will remain constant until November.”
Kriner said having Obama at the top of the ballot might play a crucial role for the success of Warren.
“Having Obama’s support will be helpful for any Democratic candidate,” he said.
Brown’s campaign has recently criticized Warren’s “weak” energy policy and her defense of Obamacare, according to a Brown press release.
“Elizabeth Warren’s vigorous support of Obamacare and its medical device tax will translate directly into job losses in Massachusetts,” said Jim Barnett, Brown’s campaign manager, in a press release. “New taxes taking effect in 2013 will harm the medical device industry in Massachusetts, which consists of more than 400 companies employing nearly 25,000 people.”
Warren’s campaign has criticized the “extreme amendment” Brown helped sponsor, which allows employers to refuse healthcare service based on moral objections, according to a statement from Warren’s campaign.
“Sen. Brown took sides with Rick Santorum, Mitt Romney and the right wing of his party, against the people of Massachusetts, who in tough economic times rely on insurance to get the health care they need,” according to the statement.
Students said they had mixed feelings about the senate elections.
College of Communication sophomore Katarina Luketich said she is not following the race too closely, but if she were to vote she would vote for Warren just because she is a registered Democrat.
However, strictly going with the candidate’s party is not the only way for a voter to be partisan. COM sophomore Taylor Aube said voters might let the state’s political tendencies decide their vote.
“Since Massachusetts is a ‘Blue State,’’ Aube said, “I think the general consensus would to stick with our liberal blue state values.”
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