Democrat Sheldon Whitehouse continues to hold a slight lead over U.S. Sen. Lincoln Chafee in the race for the Rhode Island Republican's seat, according to a poll released today by a national pollster.

MSNBC-McClatchy released a survey conducted by Mason-Dixon Polling and Research, Inc. that gives Whitehouse a 5 percent lead -- 48 percent to 43 percent, with 12 percent undecided.

The poll of 625 registered voters was conducted Oct. 18 to Oct. 20. It has a margin of error of 4 percentage points.

Mason-Dixon's last poll showed the candidates locked in a virtual tie; Whitehouse led 42 percent to 41 percent.

The election in the nationally-watched campaign is two weeks away.

Mason-Dixon also found that Governor Carcieri enjoys a more comfortable 10-point lead over Lt. Gov. Charles Fogarty -- 49 percent to 39 percent, with 12 percent undecided.