One of the top Republican challengers running for Congress this year is trailing his Democratic foe by just four points, a new poll for his campaign shows. But after losing a close contest to Wisconsin Rep. Steve Kagen in 2006, the fact is former Assembly Speaker John Gard is still trailing in a Republican-leaning district, even in his own poll.

The survey, conducted for Gard's campaign by Public Opinion Strategies, surveyed 400 likely voters 7/8-9 for a margin of error of +/- 4.9%. Gard and Kagen were tested.

General Election Matchup
Kagen.........46
Gard............42

McCain........46
Obama.........41

McCain's lead in the Green Bay-based district bodes well for Gard's campaign, which is certainly counting on some coattail effect to override the anti-Republican wave that cost him a win two years ago. Too, history seems to be on the Republican's side, as the polling memo notes just one Democrat, Father Robert Cornell, has ever won re-election in the Eighth District.

Still, Kagen is in good position financially. He held cash reserves of $926,000 through the end of the Second Quarter to Gard's $649,000. Gard outraised Kagen by about $4,000 in the last three months.