A poll released today by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) shows U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg with a 70%-11% favorable rating and a 77%-10% job approval rating among likely Democratic primary voters.

Over the weekend, the Benenson Strategy Group conducted a poll of 503 Democratic voters from all regions of the state, according to Matthew Miller, communications director for the DSCC.

"We are strongly supportive of Sen. Frank Lautenberg," said Miller. "He is an effective fighter for the State of New Jersey. The poll shows that Democrats strongly support him and make him an overwhelming favorite."

The DSCC released the results of the poll as south Jersey U.S. Rep. Rob Andrews circulated petitions to challenge Lautenberg.

"The poll demonstrates that there’s not a lot of room for a primary challenge," Miller said.

According to the Benenson poll, 61% of those Democrats polled said they would vote to re-elect Lautenberg, 28% said they might vote to re-elect him, and 11% said they would not vote to re-elect him.