A recent survey on the 2010 Senate race showed former Gov. Tom Ridge (R) ahead of newly minted Democratic Sen. Arlen Specter in a hypothetical matchup of the 2010 general election.

Ridge led Specter, 48 percent to 41 percent, with 10 percent of respondents undecided. Ridge is seriously considering running for Senate and is expected to make a final decision in the coming weeks.

The poll also showed Ridge well-positioned to win the GOP primary next year. It showed him way ahead of former Rep. Pat Toomey, 59 percent to 21 percent, with 17 percent of those polled undecided.

The Public Opinion Strategies poll of 700 likely voters was conducted May 3-4 — less than a week after Specter announced he was becoming a Democrat, thus avoiding a competitive GOP primary in 2010.

But Specter still might face a primary: Rep. Joe Sestak has said he is considering challenging the 28-year Senate veteran for the Democratic nomination. In the same poll, Specter was ahead of Sestak, 57 percent to 20 percent, with 22 percent of those polled undecided.