Poll Tracker

Dodd has single-digit leads over three other prospective GOP opponents - state Sen. Sam Caligiuri, businessman and former Ireland Ambassador Tom Foley and investor Peter Schiff. World Wrestling Entertainment CEO Linda McMahon, who launched her campaign Wednesday, was not polled.

Dodd's unfavorable rating has dropped from its peak of 58 percent in April. Forty-eight percent of registered voters now have an unfavorable opinion of Dodd, compared to 40 percent with a favorable view. A majority - 51 percent -- still do not consider Dodd honest and trustworthy.

And 59 percent their thinking was not impacted by a Senate Ethics Committee investigation, which cleared Dodd of breaking any Senate rules in relation to mortgages he obtained through Countrywide Financial, a key player on the housing industry meltdown. Critics have accused Dodd of getting sweetheart mortgages from Countrywide, however, data shows his mortgage rates were comparable to what was publicly available at the time.

Large numbers of voters haven't heard enough to form an opinion of any of the Republican candidates. Simmons is the best known of the pack and, as a result, enjoys a wide lead over his fellow Republicans in a hypothetical primary. Forty-three percent of registered Republicans said they would vote for Simmons; Foley was next with 5 percent. Another 43 percent said they were unsure.

To see how the 2010 Senate races are shaping up, check out the CQ Politics' election map.