A new WSB TV poll shows a political newcomer leading Republicans in race for Saxby Chambliss’s US Senate seat

The WSB TV poll shows businessman David Perdue leading the field with support from 21-percent of those polled. That appears to be the result of campaign commercials that are already on the air. He’s followed by Congressmen Paul Broun and Jack Kingston, who are tied at 15-percent. Congressman Phil Gingrey polls 12.5 percent.

“The surprise in this race is Gingrey, who was at one point one of the stronger candidates, but who now seems to be dropping back in the pack,” said WSB political analyst Bill Crane, who believes another surprise is former Secretary of State Karen Handel.

She is polling just 10-percent of those surveyed.

“That’s unusual, given that 54-percent of the voting public is female. She did a good job as Georgia secretary of state and a credible job as Fulton County commissioner. I’m at a loss to explain why she’s not doing better,” Crane said.

Early voting in the senate race begins one month from today.