CHEYENNE - If the general election were held today, incumbent Republican U.S. Sens. Mike Enzie and John Barrasso would defeat their Democratic challengers by more than three-to-one margins, according to a poll commissioned by the Casper Star-Tribune.

Enzi, who is running for his third six-year term, was leading University of Wyoming instructor Chris Rothfuss 72 percent to 20 percent, respectively, with 8 percent undecided.

Barrasso, who was appointed in 2007 after the late Sen. Craig Thomas, R-Wyo., died of leukemia, was ahead of Gillette attorney Nick Carter 69 percent to 22 percent, respectively, with 9 percent undecided.

The poll was conducted from Oct. 13-14 by Mason-Dixon Polling & Research of Washington, D.C. A total of 625 likely Wyoming voters were interviewed statewide by telephone. All said they regularly vote in state elections. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minue 4 percentage points.

None of the numbers surprised Mason-Dixon pollster Brad Coker.

"Both incumbents are well-known, well-liked," he said.

In 2006, Thomas was re-elected with a 70 percent to 30 percent victory over Democrat Dale Groutage.

Enzi is polling ahead of Rothfuss in nearly every voter demographic tracked by the poll.

Eighty-nine percent of Republicans, 37 percent of Democrats and 67 percent of independents said they support him.

Rothfuss received support from 51 percent of Democrats, 6 percent of Republicans and 19 percent of Independents.

Sixty-seven percent of likely voters said they have a favorable impression of Enzi, while 16 percent had an unfavorable impression, 15 percent were neutral and 2 percent didn't recognize his name.

Eleven percent of voters polled said they have a favorable impression of Rothfuss, 9 percent unfavorable, 25 percent neutral and 55 percent said they did not recognize his name.

Enzi spokesman Coy Knobel said Enzi is more interested in the information he receives from Wyoming voters than in poll numbers. Still, Knobel said, the figures do send a message.

"They (voters) know he's sincere in his efforts and really cares about the state, and the numbers reflect that," Knobel said.

Carter disappointed

Meanwhile, Barrasso also received strong support from all voter types. Eighty-six percent of Republicans, 37 percent of Democrats and 54 percent of independents said they support him.

Carter received support from 48 percent of Democrats, 8 percent of Republicans and 34 percent of independents.

Barrasso's favorability ratings were similar to Enzi's. Sixty-four percent of likely voters said they have a favorable impression, 16 percent unfavorable, 14 percent neutral and 6 percent didn't recognize his name.

Twenty-one percent of voters said they have a favorable impression of Carter, 16 percent unfavorable, 26 percent neutral, and 37 percent said they didn't recognize his name.

'We're delighted to have support all across the state, but we know that the only poll that matters is on Nov. 4,' said Barrasso's campaign manager Joe Milczewski. 'Sen. Barrasso will keep working through the 4th and beyond.'

Carter said the numbers are "disappointing."

"All I can do is keep working hard and get my message out," Carter said. "I think a lot of the 37 percent who don't know me will get to know me in the next couple of weeks as they pay more attention to the race, and we'll see if we can get it done."

Rothfuss did not respond to calls for comment by deadline.

Star-Tribune reporter Tom Morton contributed to this story. Contact Star-Tribune capital bureau reporter Jared Miller at (307) 632-1244 or jared.miller@trib.com