Poll Shows Palin Trails Begich in Senate Matchup

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin trails Democratic Sen. Mark Begich 52 percent to 40 percent in a hypothetical race for his seat next year, according to a survey from Democratic-leaning Public Policy Polling (PPP).

Palin hasn't said she is running, but hasn't ruled it out either. Palin leads among potential Republican candidates.

In a Republican primary, Palin has 36 percent support, compared to 26 percent for Lt. Gov. Mead Treadwell, 15 percent for state Natural Resources Commissioner Dan Sullivan and 12 percent for 2010 nominee Joe Miller.

Without Palin in the contest, Treadwell has 33 percent support, followed by Sullivan at 25 percent and Miller at 24 percent.

In head-to-head match-ups, Begich leads Treadwell 44 percent to 40 percent, leads Sullivan 46 percent to 39 percent and leads Miller 55 percent to 32 percent.

"It looks like Begich-Treadwell would be a very competitive race," PPP President Dean Debnam said in a statement. "Republicans just have to hope that their primary voters nominate the right candidate."

As for favorable/unfavorable ratings, Palin stands at 39 percent/58 percent, Treadwell at 35/29 percent, Sullivan at 31/28 percent and Miller at 19/63 percent. Meanwhile, 42 percent of voters approve of Begich's job performance, and 41 percent disapprove.

The poll was conducted July 25 to 28, based on 890 voters. It has a 3.3 percent margin of error for overall questions and 4.4 percent for those pertaining to Republicans.