Poll shows Republican could replace Anthony Weiner in New York

Democrats are in danger of suffering further embarrassment in New York's 9th District, according to a new poll that suggests a Republican could win the Sept. 13 election to succeed former Rep. Anthony Weiner.

A Siena Research Institute poll (pdf) of likely voters released Wednesday shows Republican businessman Bob Turner trailing Democratic state Assemblyman David Weprin by just 6 percentage points in the traditionally Democratic district--42 to 48 percent--five weeks out from the election.

"Democrat Weprin holds a small six-point lead over Republican Turner in a district where there are more than three times as many Democrats as Republicans," Siena College pollster Steven Greenberg said in his analysis. "While Weprin holds a two-to-one advantage over Turner with Democrats, Turner has a nearly six-to-one lead among Republicans and a slim four-point lead with independent voters."

The poll isn't good news for Democrats, who are hoping their significant edge in voter registration in the district will be enough to counter voters who may use their ballots to punish the Democratic party over Weiner's well-publicized indiscretions.

Likely voters polled said endorsements from Sen. Chuck Schumer, Gov. Andrew Cuomo and former New York City Mayor Ed Koch would make them more likely to support one candidate over the other. Koch endorsed Turner last month--a decision Koch explained was in part a protest of President Obama's stance on Israel. Schumer has indicated he will officially endorse Weprin and Cuomo has yet to weigh in on the race.

This is the second time Turner has run for the seat, which encompasses areas of southern Brooklyn and Queens. Turner challenged Weiner in 2010 and lost to the incumbent--39 to 61 percent.