Alabama: New Poll Changes Order

​An independent political survey from the local Alabama Cygnal research firm (7/20-21; 500 AL likely Republican primary voters) reports a different race order than the one previously seen, but such is not surprising considering the intense campaigning currently underway.  According to the Cygnal results, appointed Sen. Luther Strange has now taken the lead over former state Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore and US Rep. Mo Brooks (R-Huntsville).  This, from a story credited to the Alabama news source, AL.com. 
The poll, sponsored by several unnamed business associations, finds Sen. Strange obtaining 30% support within the Republican base voter segment followed by Judge Moore at 26%.  Rep. Brooks is falling back, according to this small-sample response group, registering 16 percent.  Though nine Republicans are competing in the August 15th special primary election, the race consistently appears to be among the three polling leaders.  Strange’s media attacks on Brooks may be bearing fruit.  The Congressman is dropping support from previously released polls, but data publication so far during this campaign has been sparse.
If no candidate receives majority support in the mid-August vote, the top two finishers will advance to a September 26th run-off election.  At this point, it appears as a virtual certainty that a secondary nomination vote will be necessary; hence, these three top candidates are fighting over two positions.