Poll gives McCain solid lead

PHOENIX, April 3 (UPI) -- U.S. Sen. John McCain, seeking a fifth term, holds a comfortable lead over his challenger in Arizona's GOP primary, former Rep. J.D. Hayworth, a poll indicates.

A Daily Kos/Research 2000 poll released Friday showed McCain favored by 52 percent of likely Republican voters to 37 percent for Hayworth, Politico reported. The 15-point advantage was up from 7 percentage points in a Rasmussen poll last month, the Washington publication said.

Congressional Quarterly reported the poll indicates McCain would easily top two possible Democratic contenders with a 52 percent to 33 percent edge over Tuscon City Councilman Rodney Glassman and a 57-21 percent margin over businesswoman Nan Stockholm Walden. The poll indicates it would be closer in a race if Hayworth wins the GOP nomination with a 48-37 percent edge over Glassman and a 53-22 percent lead over Walden.

Neither Democrat has officially jumped into the race, Congressional Quarterly said.

The poll was conducted March 29-31 and carries a margin of error of 5 percentage points.