Republican in Georgia redistricted in 2005 in order to target two recently elected rural Democratic Congressmen, Jim Marshall (Ga-3) and John Barrow (Ga-12). Barrow is still running in the 12th district (even though his home was removed) but Marshall's district # was changed to the 8th and the Democratic performance was lowered by about 10% (Marshall won in 2004 with 63%).
A new poll was leaked by Marshall's campaign to the Macon Telegraph. It was conducted by the Mellman Group 10/21-10/24 and here are the results (sorry no trendlines):
Georgia (8th CD)
Marshall (D) 50
Collins (R) 35
A little background on the district and where the race is headed in the last 10 days below...
Keep in mind that Collins is a former 6 term rep who once held office in a district that overlaps with about 50% of this district. This is also one of the few districts we are contesting where Bush's popularity isn't in the toilet and he will be coming to Houston County, the heart of the district's Republican core to rally the troops this week. We are looking good here, but the Swift Boat guys are targeting Marshall heavily with a brutal independent expenditure, so is the RNCC and so is Mac Collins. Meanwhile, Marshall is running this campaign on his own with no help from the DCCC (which is investing in neighboring Ga-12 for Barrow).