Democratic U.S. Senate hopeful Rep. Harold Ford Jr. inched ahead of Republican challenger and former Chattanooga Mayor Bob Corker in the latest round of public opinion polls with 28 days left until November’s mid-term election.

A USA Today/Gallup poll released late last week shows 50 percent of likely Tennessee voters favor Ford, with 45 percent favoring Corker. The poll’s margin of error is five points.

Other polls show Ford with a slight advantage, all within polls’ margins of error.

For instance, an Oct. 1 poll by Rasmussen shows Ford up 48 percent to 43 percent, and Zogby reported the two candidates tied at 40 percent Oct. 2.

After averaging the latest major Tennessee polls, Ford maintains a narrow two-point lead over Corker.

Last week’s tight polls show a considerable jump for Ford, who was down by as many as 13 points to the Republican candidate in July.

And who can Ford thank for his latest poll bounce?

Moderates.

In the USA Today/Gallup poll, Ford commanded 65 percent of likely voters who consider themselves “moderates,” a key demographic needed to win the Tennessee race.

With both Corker and Ford running neck-and-neck, eyes are on Tennessee as Democrats are eyeing taking control of the Senate from the Republicans after mid-terms.

The two candidates will spar in the second of two televised debates tonight in Chattanooga.

After averaging the latest polls from all 50 states, Democrats are projected to take 50 states, with Republicans maintaining 49. The Missouri race is exactly tied.

Democratic hopes in the House are even stronger, with several seats projected to change hands.

Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen remains strongly ahead of Republican contender Jim Bryson, with a 66-to-26 point spread.