Poll: Smith Leads Raja in 37th District Race

New polling data shows Mt. Lebanon Democrat Matt Smith edging out by a 16-point lead in the race for Pennsylvania's 37th senatorial district. 

The data, conducted by the Washington D.C.-based pollster firm Thirty Ninth Street Strategies, shows 54 percent of voters in the district, which encompasses Moon and Crescent, favoring Smith versus 38 percent favoring Raja. 

Four percent of voters in the district are undecided, according to a statement from the polling firm. 

Smith, who now represents the state's 42nd legislative district, was nominated in July by Allegheny and Washington county Democrats to vie for the seat vacated by former Pennsylvania Sen. John Pippy, R-Moon. 

Raja, a Mt. Lebanon software CEO, captured the Republican nomination for the race during the spring primary, ousting Moon-based state Rep. Mark Mustio and Bethel Park conservative activist Sue Means. 

Pippy left his senate seat in June to become the CEO of the new Pennsylvania Coal Alliance. His term was set to expire at the end of the year. 

Other data from the poll: 

• Of registered voters in the district, 44 percent identify as Democrats and 39 percent identify as Republicans. Independent voters make up 17 percent of the district's voters. 

• Republican Mitt Romney holds a one-point lead in the district: 47 percent of voters expressed support for the GOP nominee while 46 percent plan to vote for President Obama. Seven percent of voters in the district are undecided. 

• U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Scranton, leads Republican Tom Smith at 50 percent to 36 percent. Four percent of voters are undecided. 

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