GOP Gaining Ahead of Elections: Poll

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- A new poll is pointing to a major victory for the Republicans in November's congressional elections.

According to the Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll, Republicans are running ahead of Democrats, 50% to 43%, among likely voters enjoying a 3% increase from a month ago.

The poll surveyed 1,000 voters -- 48% male and 52% female -- from Oct. 14-18, and was conducted by Democratic pollster Peter Hart and Republican pollster Bill McInturff.

The WSJ article said the GOP is leading by 20 points in the 92 districts of the House of Representatives that are considered the most competitive.

"It's hard to say Democrats are facing anything less than a category four hurricane," Hart told the Journal. McInturff estimated the Republican's lead would translate to the party picking up 52 to 53 seats in the House, beyond the 39 it needs to seize control, the article said.

In other takeaways from the poll, respondents showed an increase in optimism about economic conditions with 37% saying they expect the economy will get better in the next 12 months, up from 32% a month ago.

The mid-term elections are slated to take place on Nov. 2.

--Written by Michael Baron in New York.

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