Former Govs. Tim Kaine (D) and George Allen (R) are still unable to create separation in the state’s marquee open-seat Senate race.

A Quinnipiac University Polling Institute survey released Wednesday found Kaine with 45 percent to Allen’s 44 percent. The candidates have been within 2 points in each of the five polls that Quinnipiac has conducted since June.

President Barack Obama, whose campaign is targeting Virginia again, saw his approval rating increase by 4 points to 46 percent, his highest mark since June. Quinnipiac surveyed 1,544 registered voters Feb. 1-6, and the poll carried a 2.5-point margin of error.

“Kaine’s standing in the Senate race will almost certainly be tied to Virginia’s view of the president,” Quinnipiac Assistant Polling Director Peter Brown said in a statement.