Kagen Only Holds Narrow Lead Against Opponent

Former Wisconsin Assembly Speaker John Gard (R) is within striking distance of freshman Rep. Steve Kagen (D-Wis.) as he faces a rematch of the 2006 campaign, according to a new poll from his campaign.

The poll shows Kagen leading Gard by four points, 46 to 42 percent, within the poll’s margin of error. The poll showed Gard retaining high name recognition from his 2006 campaign, with 88 percent of respondents able to identify him.

The Public Opinion Strategies poll, conducted between July 8-9, surveyed 400 likely voters and has a 4.9 percent margin of error. The poll also showed John McCain leading Barack Obama in the Green Bay-based district, 46 to 41 percent.

Gard’s just-released fundraising totals should also give Republicans optimism about their ability to compete against Kagen. Gard raised $293,000 in the last quarter, and was one of the few GOP challengers to outraise their Democratic incumbent.

Kagen raised $289,000 in the quarter, but ended June with $926,000 cash-on-hand. He also has the ability to spend his personal wealth on his campaign if he needs to tap additional funds for the race.