Eagleton Institute of Politics

April 2, 2008 - 5:38pm

In 1978, Jeff Bell didn't even register in polls vs. Clifford Case

Frank Lautenberg’s 35-point lead over Rob Andrews in the race for the Democratic U.S. Senate nomination is substantial, but that doesn’t mean the 84-year-old incumbent will coast to victory in the June 3 primary.  Back in 1978, the last time an incumbent Senator faced a serious primary challenge, an Eagleton/Rutgers poll conducted just two weeks before the Republican primary was good news for four-term Senator Clifford Case.  Only 3% of voters were able to identify his rival, Jeff Bell, and by a 43%-8% margin, felt that Case would make the better Senator.  Bell won by 3,473 votes – a 51%-49% margin.

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