Republican candidate Rick Lazio is tied with First Lady Hillary Clinton in the race for the U.S. Senate from New York, according to a new Quinnipiac University survey. Conducted May 16, 2000, the poll found that 44 percent of respondents indicated they supported Lazio, 44 percent said they favored Clinton, and 12 percent were undecided. The dead heat is startling given the fact that Lazio is relatively unknown and only recently entered the race following the departure of New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani.

In the suburbs, Lazio leads by 54 to 38 percent. In New York City, Mrs. Clinton is ahead by 56 to 30 percent. Upstate, Lazio leads by a margin of 49 to 38 percent. Half of Lazio's voters said they favored him because of opposition to her.