Poll shows GOP senators in driver's seat as election nears

A trio of Republican senators are in solid positions to win tough re-election fights in November, a new battleground poll finds.

According to a new Quinnipiac survey released Wednesday, Sens. Rob Portman, Marco Rubio and Pat Toomey all are in pole position to defeat Democratic challengers next month, potentially paving the way for Republicans to retain their majority in the U.S. Senate in January.

Portman continues to outpace former Gov. Ted Strickland in Ohio, leading with 55 percent to Strickland's 38 percent, a 17-point margin. Meanwhile, Rubio holds a 4-point advantage over Rep. Patrick Murphy, taking 48 percent support to the two-term congressman's 44 percent.

The two real surprises of the poll are Pennsylvania and North Carolina.

Pat Toomey, the Pennsylvania Republican, leads Democratic challenger Katie McGinty by an 8-point margin, taking 50 percent to McGinty's 42 percent. This is the first time either candidate has cracked the 50 percent mark throughout the 2016 calendar year.