Montana Senate: Tester (D) 52%; Burns (R) 43%

The latest Rasmussen Reports election survey in Montana shows Democrat Jon Tester leading incumbent Republican Sen. Conrad Burns (news, bio, voting record) 52% to 43%. The candidates were tied at 47% in August's survey. The current results represent Tester's biggest lead ever. In the fall of 2005, Burns had a double digit lead. That collapsed by January as the Abramoff story became big news. Since then, for the bulk of the campaign, Tester and Burns have generally been within a few points of each other.

Rasmussen Reports is shifting this race from "Toss-Up" to "Leans Democrat" in our Senate Balance of Power ratings. Two other races (Ohio and Rhode Island are also being shifted from "Toss-Up" to "Leans Democrat" at this time.

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