Marist NY-SEN (S): Democratic Primary Very Close

Marist New York Poll conducted 6/23-6/25 of 1003 RVs:

Democratic Primary:

Rep. Carolyn Maloney 38%
Sen. Kirstin Gillibrand 37%

Republican Primary:

Fmr. Gov. George Pataki 51%
Rep. Peter King 36%

General Election:

Sen. Kirstin Gillibrand (D) 48%
Rep. Peter King (R) 32%

Sen. Kirstin Gillibrand (D) 46%
Fmr. Gov. George Pataki (R) 42%

Maloney just entered the race officially this week, and this poll shows that she starts the race neck-and-neck with Gillibrand. Maloney almost certainly has lower name ID, so the fact that she starts even with Gillibrand isn't a bad sign for her. But she still has a couple of major obstacles, namely that the Democratic establishment is firmly behind Gillibrand. Also, the newly appointed Senator as very saavy, and her moderately liberal voting record in the House has become very liberal since she entered the Senate as she tries to fend off this challenge from her left. And while a primary like this that has the potential to be divided sharply along ideological and geographical lines could hurt the Democrats in most situations, in a state like New York where the GOP's potential candidates don't seem interested, it probably won't matter much at all.

STRONG ADVANTAGE FOR THE DEMOCRATS.