The latest poll numbers in Kentucky's U.S. Senate race show incumbent U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Louisville) with a growing lead over businessman Bruce Lunsford (D-Louisville). A SurveyUSA/WHAS-TV poll released today gives McConnell a 53 to 45 percent lead over Lunsford just twelve days after the same firm put the two in a dead heat and just two days before the election

The poll of 616 "likely" voters was conducted on from Oct. 29 to Nov. 1, and has a margin of error of plus or minus four percent. Three percent are reportedly undecided.

A poll released on Oct. 21 found the two candidates tied at 48 percent each, with four percent undecided.

In the newest poll, McConnell leads among his own party, 84 to 15 percent. Lunsford collects 71 percent of his own party, and 26 percent break to McConnell. Republicans constitute 42 percent of the sample and Democrats 49 percent.

Independents - 8 percent of the sample -break 51 to 45 percent for McConnell.

Compared to the poll from Oct. 21, McConnell's support skyrocketed in western Kentucky - a traditional stronghold for the incumbent. Whereas he was holding a 51 to 47 percent lead last time around, that margin has grown to 64 to 35 percent.

McConnell also grew his lead in north central Kentucky, going from holding a one point lead to an eight point lead between the two polls.

Eastern Kentucky, meanwhile, which swung to Lunsford in the last poll appears to have swung back to the incumbent. In the last poll, McConnell was behind there, 46 to 51 percent. Now, the Republican is back on top, 54 to 44 percent.