SurveyUSA Poll: Rand Paul Leads By 15 In Kentucky

Rand Paul has built up a double-digit lead in the Kentucky Senate race, according to a poll out this weekend by respected firm SurveyUSA. The poll shows Paul, the Republican nominee, with a 55-40 lead over Democratic nominee Jack Conway.

Past polling has shown the race to be much closer. The TPM Poll Average shows Paul ahead 46.0-40.4.

In the last SurveyUSA poll of the race -- taken July 27-29 -- Paul was also ahead, leading 51-43. Republicans say the new SurveyUSA poll, which shows Paul has almost doubled his lead from July, shows that Paul's campaign is in the driver's seat.

"I do think the momentum of the state is with us," Paul told WHAS-TV when asked about the poll. "What the exact number is.... we're happy to be 15 ahead. That's for sure."

Conway's campaign says the SurveyUSA poll is suspect.

"The methodology of this poll is sort of out of line and we certainly question some of the ways that the poll was conducted," Conway spokesperson Allison Haley told the station.

SurveyUSA surveyed 561 likely voters in Kentucky Aug. 30-Sept. 1. The margin of error is 4.2%.