CONCORD, N.H. (AP) – A new Concord Monitor poll shows Gov. Craig Benson still has a slight edge over his Democratic challenger, but John Lynch appears to be gaining ground.

Benson was the pick of 48 percent of voters, compared to 44 percent for Lynch and 8 percent undecided.

Last month, Benson led Lynch by 49 percent to 41 percent, with 10 percent undecided.

The telephone poll of 600 voters was conducted earlier this week by Research 2000. The margin of error was plus or minus 4 percentage points.

Benson, a first-term Republican, was a co-founder of Cabletron Systems, which is now defunct. Lynch, the former chairman of the University System of New Hampshire trustees, is also a businessman who is credited with successfully turning around furniture-maker Knoll Inc.

The poll found the state’s three other top Republican incumbents have comfortable margins of support compared with their Democratic challengers.

U.S. Sen. Judd Gregg led campaign finance reform advocate Doris “Granny D” Haddock by 67 percent to 15 percent.

U.S. Rep. Jeb Bradley was leading Portsmouth lawyer Justin Nadeau by 53 percent to 37 percent in the 1st Congressional District, and 2nd District incumbent Rep. Charles Bass was leading Concord lawyer Paul Hodes 52 percent to 36 percent.


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