Lloyd Karmeier
Gordon E. Maag
As election day nears, Illinois Supreme Court Justice candidate Lloyd Karmeier is holding a slight edge over rival Gordon Maag, according to a poll by Alexandria, Virginia-based Public Opinion Strategies.
Commissioned by a pro-business group backing Karmeier in the race, the poll shows Karmeier ahead Maag 43% to 40%, with 17% of respondents still undecided.
The October 17-18 survey was of likely voters in the 5th District, which includes 37 counties in Southern Illinois.
The poll's margin of error was 4.9%.
A September poll by the same group had Karmeier leading 40% to 37% with 21% undecided.
The October survey also offers an indication of how negative television advertisements have taken their toll on the Democrat Maag.
16% of those interviewed viewed Maag positively and 17% viewed him negatively. 22% viewed Karmeier positively and only 9% saw him negatively.
Also from the Public Opinion Strategies' poll: