(Photo by Hunter Marrow - Cronkite News)

Arizona Sen. Kelli Ward.

A new statewide poll shows challenger Kelli Ward has a chance to win the Republican U.S. Senate nomination for Arizona, but only if she can give voters a reason to support her. 

The Behavior Research Center poll shows 41 percent of the state’s Republicans supporting incumbent Sen. John McCain, with just 1 percent supporting Ward, but pollster Earl de Berge said 45 percent of the electorate is undecided.  He said that gives Ward an opening between now and the primary in August.

“People may gravitate to somebody if they know the alternative is something that appeals to them,” De Berge said. 

But, Ward, who announced her candidacy in July, has yet to catch fire among voters.  And, she has far less campaign money than the nearly $5 million McCain has.  Ward’s last report showed donations of $526,000, if you include the $85,000 Ward put into the campaign herself. 

Calls to Ward for comment on this story were not returned.