Michael Bennet Poll: Colorado Senator Trails Jane Norton by 14% In Reelection Bid

Rasmussen released the results of a new Colorado Senate poll Friday, and the news is particularly bad for incumbent Democrat Michael Bennet. According to the telephone survey, Bennet now trails likely Republican nominee Jane Norton by 14 points, 52%-37%. Norton's lead is up two points from January's Rasmussen poll, which showed her with a 49-37% lead.

Making matters worse for Bennet, his Democratic Challenger, former Speaker of the Colorado House Andrew Romanoff, seems to be making a push in the Rasmussen poll. Romanoff trails Norton by just 7 points, 45%-38%.

According To Rasmussen, 17% of Coloradans have a favorable opinion of Bennet, while 21% view Norton favorably. Romanoff's favorability rating was the same as Bennet's but his unfavorable rating was 16%, compared with Bennet's 24%.

Bennet holds a commanding fundraising lead over his opponents who entered the race in the middle of 2009. He also has the support of national Democrats, including President Obama.

Rasmussen also reported that 70% of Coloradans thought that the government was beholden to special interests, and another 70% think the government often works with big business to hurt consumers.

Romanoff's campaign message has centered lately on the candidate's independence, and his decision not to accept campaign donations from special interests.

Watch Romanoff's first web ad playing up his independence from special interests: