Sen. David Vitter (R) is sitting on a significant lead over Rep. Charlie Melancon (D) in the Bayou State’s Senate contest, according to a poll by Southern Media & Opinion Research that was in the field April 19-23.

Vitter led 49 percent to 31 percent in a head-to-head matchup with the three-term Congressman.

That’s a larger lead than a Southern Media & Opinion Research poll found in October, when it pegged Vitter as leading Melancon 48 percent to 36 percent.

The survey of 600 voters was funded by Lane Grigsby, a well-known Baton Rouge construction company owner who has a history contributing to Republicans. The poll had a 4-point margin of error.

Democrats have hammered Vitter this cycle and have tried to drive a wedge between him and female voters three years after the Senator was caught up in the “D.C. Madam” prostitution scandal.

But the new poll found Vitter with a 63 percent job approval rating overall and a 62 percent positive rating from white females.