CONCORD [-] Sen. Judd Gregg and ex-Sen. John E. Sununu, both lead Democratic Congressman Paul Hodes in head-to-head polls for the Senate seat Gregg intends to vacate in 2010 according to an independent poll released today.

   Gregg’s lead over Hodes, 52 percent to 36 percent for Hodes, is much larger than the five-point lead [-] a virtual dead heat [-] that Sununu has over Hodes.

     Sununu leads with 46 percent to 41 percent for Hodes with 2 percent picking someone else not named and 11 percent undecided.

     Gregg has already said he does not intend to run next year. Hodes has said he’s in the Senate race whether Gregg is or not.

    Sununu, who lost re-election last November to Democrat Jeanne Shaheen, has been silent on his future plans.

     The University of New Hampshire Survey Center did the telephone poll of 503 adults from April 13-22.

      The margin of error for the match-ups is plus or minus 4.4 percent.

       Gregg remains the most popular member of the delegation but all four grew more unpopular since the last survey in February.

        Among those living in the First District of Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter, just as many said they were favorable (38 percent) as were unfavorable (37 percent) with the rest not knowing her or having no opinion (25 percent).

      Shea-Porter has already said she intends to run for a third term in 2010.

      Last week, Manchester Mayor Frank Giunta formed an exploratory committee to seek the First District Republican nomination next year.

[-] Kevin Landrigan [-]