U.S. Senate leader Mitch McConnell's constituents think he has a problem with his public image and do not see the senator as a "real Kentuckian," based on a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll.

Other political leaders might find a similar poll result discouraging, but the Republican senate leader has proven he can compete well with his rivals. McConnell is now embarking on another re-election challenge as he seeks his sixth term in the Senate, according to Reuters.

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McConnell managed to secure financial backing from several donors and firms to launch attack ads on Alison Lundergan Grimes, his Democratic rival. He has also used social media to improve his public image.

According to Kentucky-based political writer Al Cross, the Kentucky politician has made up for his lack of charisma by implementing projects in his hometown. Cross adds that since the public does not think very highly of McConnell, he has to fight hard to get re-elected.

Should McConnell's party steal the Senate throne from Democrats on the November election, he would be the majority leader. The possible victory could give him the power to nix Obama agenda for his remaining term.

Over 50 percent of Kentucky voters do not have a favorable opinion of McConnell, the Reuters/Ipsos survey found. A third of them think he is arrogant and only 11 percent view him as a "real Kentuckian."

Although born in Alabama, McConnell has spent most of his life in Kentucky. However, many of the local voters think he is not "one of them" anymore, the survey said.

Still, McConnell gained a 4-point advantage over Grimes in the said poll among probable voters. He got 46 percent versus his opponent's 42 percent score.

The Republican candidate clearly has the capability to win close fights. In his last five Senate elections, McConnell got 55 percent of the vote once. He won his 2008 race by getting 53 percent of the vote, the report said.

The result of this tough Senate bid will not depend on his popularity but on his status as the Senate leader, McConnell told Reuters.

"When you accept the responsibility to be the leader of your party you get targeted by the other side and it just sort of goes with the turf," McConnell said.

TagsMitch McConnell, U.S. election, Reuters/Ipsos poll, Kentucky, U.S. Senate, Southern United States