MD - Mfume Makes a Comeback?

Former Congressman & NAACP head Kweisi Mfume edges from out of nowhere in the Maryland Senate race, according to a recent Gonzales Research Poll. We're a bit surprised since Mfume's campaign seemed almost non-existent. These latest numbers show him catching up:

In general election match-ups to succeed retiring Senator Paul Sarbanes, Democrats are in a good position heading into the fall elections. Third District Congressman Ben Cardin leads Lieutenant Governor Michael Steele 49% to 35%, with 16% undecided.

Steele is capturing 77% of the GOP vote, but Cardin is up 76%-12% among Democrats, and leads 39% to 31% with independents.

Against Cardin, The Lieutenant Governor is doing slightly better among black voters (capturing 21%) than is traditional for Republicans in Maryland. But, ultimately, Steele will need to accomplish what any statewide Republican candidate in Maryland must do to be successful on Election Day – persuade about 1-in-3 Democrats to vote for him.

In the United States Senate Primary, Ben Cardin leads Kweisi Mfume, 39% to 31%, with 4% for Lise Van Sustern, 2% for Allan Lichtman, 1% each for Josh Rales and Dennis Rasmussen and 22% undecided. Cardin is up among white voters, 49% to 13%, while Mfume has a strong advantage among black voters, 69% to 17%. Again, turnout could be very important in determining the winner.

In a match-up with former Congressman and NAACP president Kweisi Mfume, Steele trails 44% to 39%, with 17% undecided.

In this contest, Mfume garners 69% of Democrats and 78% of the black vote.