A couple of recent polls by SurveyUSA have been conducted on the Bluegrass Senate race featuring Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R) and a pack of would-be Democratic challengers.

A poll of 555 likely voters that was released on Wednesday showed that health care executive and former gubernatorial candidate Bruce Lunsford remains the top candidate in the Democratic primary race. He led his closest opponent, businessman Greg Fischer, by 25 points in a matchup of all seven Democratic candidates. The survey, which was conducted from Saturday to Monday, showed Lunsford with 43 percent, Fisher with 18 percent and none of the other five candidates polling in the double digits. Eighteen percent of the likely Kentucky Democratic voters were either undecided or chose “other.”

The survey did note that compared to a SurveyUSA poll two weeks ago, Fischer had gained 9 points and Lunsford was down 4 points. The primary is set for May 20.

A SurveyUSA poll of McConnell’s favorable/unfavorable ratings from earlier this month showed the Minority Leader’s approval and disapproval ratings even at 46 percent. In a release Tuesday, Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee was quick to point out that compared to a similar poll from March, McConnell’s favorability ratings had dropped 6 points despite heavy advertising already this cycle by the Minority Leader’s campaign.

— John McArdle