Politics | Arlen Specter Specter Enjoys 20-Point Lead Over Toomey But Tom Ridge would be a stiffer challenge if he nabbed GOP nom By Nick McMaster Posted May 4, 2009 11:44 AM CDT Copied Sen. Arlen Specter discusses his switch to the Democratic Party at the White House with President Barack Obama, left, in Washington, Wednesday, April 29, 2009. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) Arlen Specter beat Pat Toomey 53% to 33% in a Quinnipiac poll of Pennsylvanians’ preferred candidate for US senator. But against Tom Ridge, who may become the Republican candidate, Specter's lead grows more precarious—voters prefer Specter to Ridge by a margin of 46% to 43%, the Quinnipiac poll showed. Democrats welcomed Specter’s recent conversion to the blue side—he trounced Toomey 85% to 4% in that group. Independents may be more apprehensive about Specter 2.0: while they back him over Toomey by a healthy 9 percentage points, independents would break 47% to 37% for Ridge if he runs. Read These Next UPS driver hits the Slip 'N Slide with some partying teens. Kohberger agrees to plea deal in Idaho killings. Death certificate reveals Brian Wilson's cause of death. Lorde's risque photo causes a fuss. Report an error