Democrats poised to gain Senate seats

WASHINGTON, July 31 (UPI) -- Several U.S. Senate seats held by Republicans could be lost to Democrats, while the Democrats could lose one, a poll indicates.

Polling data by Zogby International shows that of five key Senate races, New Mexico, Virginia and Oregon are trending to Democrats.

In New Mexico, Hispanic voters are positioning Democrat Tom Udall to take the seat being vacated by Republican Pete Domenici. Udall leads Republican Rep. Steve Pearce, 49 percent to 41 percent.

Mark Warner in Virginia leads Republican Jim Gilmore 51 percent to 36 percent, making the favorite to win the seat held for 30 years by Republican Sen. John Warner.

In Oregon, Republican Sen. Gordon Smith is trailing Democrat Jeff Merkley by nine points, while Independent candidate John Frohnmayer has 8 percent support in the Beaver State.

In one race, Republicans are poised to unseat a Democrat. In Louisiana, Republican John Kennedy leads Democrat Sen. Mary Landrieu 47 percent to 41 percent. In Colorado, Zogby said, Democrat Mark Udall is tied with Republican Sen. Wayne Allard, with half of Hispancis undecided.

The Zogby analysis is based on polling data collected from June 11 to June 30.