Scott Brown has solid lead against Dem challenger Elizabeth Warren

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 16: U.S. Sen. Scott Brown (R-MA) (L) and U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-SD) leave the podium following a news conference at the U.S. Capitol February 16, 2012 in Washington, DC. The four Republican senators met to discuss four bipartisan jobs bills passed by the House that they say are being blocked by the Senate Democrat leadership in the Senate. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - FEBRUARY 16: Prime Minister David Cameron gives a speech at the Apex Hotel on February 16, 2012 in Edinburgh, Scotland. David Cameron said he will do everything he can to stop Scottish independence; however he would consider devolving further powers. Prime Minister David Cameron met with Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond in Edinburgh for talks on the proposed independence referendum. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell- WPA Pool/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 16: U.S. Sen. Scott Brown (R-MA) speaks during a news conference at the U.S. Capitol February 16, 2012 in Washington, DC. The four Republican senators met to discuss four bipartisan jobs bills passed by the House that they say are being blocked by the Senate Democrat leadership in the Senate. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 16: U.S. Sen. Scott Brown (R-MA) speaks during a news conference at the U.S. Capitol February 16, 2012 in Washington, DC. The four Republican senators met to discuss four bipartisan jobs bills passed by the House that they say are being blocked by the Senate Democrat leadership in the Senate. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

New US Senator Scott Brown (R) (R-MA) talks with the press in the Old Senate Chamber after being sworn-in the the Seante floor by Vice President Biden on February 4, 2010 inside the US Capitol in Washington, DC. AFP PHOTO / Tim Sloan (Photo credit should read TIM SLOAN/AFP/Getty Images)

Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown, one of the most vulnerable Republican incumbents up for re-election this year, is leading his chief Democratic challenger by an impressive 9-point margin.

A new Suffolk University poll finds Brown leading Elizabeth Warren 49 percent to 40 percent. Additionally, 45 percent of those surveyed said Brown deserves to be re-elected, while 39 percent said he did not and 16 percent were undecided.

Brown also has an approval rating over 50 percent, the poll finds, while Warren’s has only a 35 percent approval rating. The two share the same disapproval rating, 28 percent, despite the fact that Brown is better known in the state.

When asked what words came to mind when asked about Warren, most respondents said “liberal” and “Harvard,” which indicates the Republican efforts to brand her as a left-wing elitist have been successful.

First elected in 2010 to fill the seat vacated by the late Sen. Edward Kennedy, Brown came into office amid popular discontent with President Obama’s plan to reform the health care system. Brown’s re-election has long been seen as a challenge given the state’s strong Democratic leanings and Obama’s popularity in Massachusetts.

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