Rep. Chris Van Hollen narrowly leads rival Rep. Donna Edwards in Maryland’s competitive Democratic Senate primary race, according to a new NBC4/Marist poll of the state.
The poll showed that 44 percent of likely Democratic primary voters back Van Hollen, while 38 percent support Edwards and 18 percent remain undecided in advance of Maryland’s April 26 primary election.
On the Republican side, a majority of likely Republican primary voters in the deep blue state – 57 percent -- are undecided about a GOP candidate. Twenty percent are backing state delegate Kathy Szeliga, 14 percent support former Pentagon official and 2012 Senate candidate Richard Douglas, and 10 percent support Chrys Kefalas, a former aide to onetime Gov. Robert Erlich.
In the Democratic race to replace outgoing Sen. Barbara Mikulski, Van Hollen leads among men, 50 percent to 34 percent, while female voters are evenly divided between the two candidates, with each receiving 40 percent support.
Emily’s List, a pro-choice organization that backs women in politics, has endorsed Edwards and pumped at least $2.4 million into her run.
Edwards leads with African Americans (59% to Van Hollen's 22%) and lower-income voters (46% to 36%).
Van Hollen bests Edwards among white voters (62% to Edwards' 21%), higher-income voters (47% to 37%) and college graduates (49% to 36%).
The NBC4/Marist poll was conducted April 5 through April 9, 2016.
The margin of error among 775 likely Democratic primary voters is +/- 3.5 percent.
The margin of error among 368 likely Republican primary voters is +/- 5.1 percent.