The poll is the first to show Orman with a clear lead. Poll: Orman leads Roberts in Kansas

Independent Greg Orman has opened up a lead in his effort to unseat Republican Kansas Sen. Pat Roberts, according to a new poll from Democratic firm Public Policy Polling.

Orman leads Roberts 41-34, with Democrat Chad Taylor — who announced plans to end his campaign earlier this month — capturing 6 percent of the vote. Libertarian Randall Batson earned 4 percent support in the poll, which was first provided to the Huffington Post. The automated phone and online survey of 1,328 likely voters was taken between Sept. 11 and Sept. 14. The margin of error is plus-or-minus 2.7 percentage points.


In a head-to-head matchup, Orman’s lead grows to 10 percentage points, according to the poll.

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The poll is the first to show Orman with a clear lead, even with Taylor included among the pool of candidates. Taylor has attempted to withdraw from the race entirely and is suing to remove his name from the November ballot.

Even more significantly, PPP did not prompt respondents about Taylor ending his campaign before conducting the ballot test. The majority of Taylor supporters said they know that he has asked to be removed from the ballot, and a subsequent question showed 63 percent of likely voters think he should be allowed to withdraw his name.

( See more from POLITICO's Polling Center)

The state Supreme Court will hear arguments Tuesday in the case. Taylor is appealing GOP Secretary of State Kris Kobach’s decision to keep his name on the ballot.

In the other marquee statewide race, Democrat Paul Davis has a slight, 4-point lead over GOP Gov. Sam Brownback, 42 percent to 38 percent, with a Libertarian candidate at 7 percent.