What was once assumed to be an easy Democratic pickup may be more work than the party had hoped, according to a new poll for Republican businessman Martin Ozinga. The poll, conducted by Public Opinion Strategies for the Ozina campaign, surveyed 400 likely voters between 9/17-18 for a margin of error of +/- 4.9%. State Senator Debbie Halvorson, the Democrat, and Ozinga were tested.

General Election Matchup
Halvorson.......38
Ozinga..........36

McCain..........44
Obama...........43

Ozinga was the emergency replacement when the winner of the GOP primary pulled out of the race. So far, he has impressed Republicans with his fundraising, and Democrats who were once certain they would pick up retiring Rep. Jerry Weller's seat are now far more cautious in their assessments of the race.

Halvorson remains the favorite, but her association with unpopular Governor Rod Blagojevich (who sports a 15% favorable and a 72% unfavorable rating) could drag her down.