Poll: Thad Cochran Leading Democrat Opponent in Mississippi

Coming off a hotly contested primary runoff, Mississippi Sen. Thad Cochran holds a double-digit lead over his Democratic challenger, Travis Childers, according to a new poll.

In the latest Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey, Cochran is leading Childers 46 to 34 percent among likely voters. Almost 20 percent of voters either preferred another candidate or were undecided. The survey was conducted June 25-26.

In the primary runoff, Cochran narrowly defeated his tea party opponent, Chris McDaniel, 51 percent to 49 percent, but McDaniel is not conceding the race until a recount is performed.

The vote margin was 6,373. Cochran earned 190,633 votes to 184,260 for McDaniel.

In an interview on Fox News, McDaniel said he has not called for a recount, but noted there were "widespread irregularities" in the election.

According to Clarion-Ledger, irregularities have been found in at least 800 ballots, tea party officials said.

Mississippi Tea Party Chairwoman Laura Van Overschedule told the paper that an examination of polling books "is still preliminary" but that there is "some evidence [of irregularities] we are concerned about."

Cochran's strategy of reaching out to Democratic voters, particularly to black Democrats, appeared to have made the difference in a tight race and has inspired vocal criticism from conservatives and tea party supporters.

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