Seventh Congressional District Race a Battleground

Wilmington, NC:  As the political season intensifies, the once safe 7^th Congressional District long represented by Mike McIntyre has become a serious battleground.  New poll results released by the Pantano campaign indicate the race is close with the challenger, Ilario Pantano, leading incumbent Congressman Mike McIntyre among voters identified as highly likely to vote.

Public Opinion Strategies conducted the live interview poll on August 31 and September2 with 400 interviews and a margin of error of 4.9%.  In summary, Public Opinion Strategies stated, “A combination of a worsening political environment for Democrats and Mike McIntyre’s bad voting record has transformed this usually safe re-election coronation into the fight of McIntyre’s political life.”

Among most likely voters challenger Ilario Pantano holds a 7 point advantage of 48% to 41% and among very likely voters Congressman McIntyre is clinging to a single digit lead of 45% to 39% on the ballot test.  
 
Campaign consultant Jack Hawke said “the poll is bad news for an incumbent who is used to getting 70% of the vote.  The highly motivated voters have decided it’s time for a change in the 7^th District.”  Since his first election in 1996 McIntyre has often run unopposed and has never been seriously challenged.

“The bad news for Congressman McIntyre is that Pantano is still relatively unknown and has an opportunity for increasing his support as he becomes better known,” according to Hawke.  “The difference between the highly likely voters and the likely voters is Pantano name recognition.”

The two candidates have debated twice with two additional debates scheduled.  The next debate is tonight, September 10^th in Hope Mills, NC.

Both campaigns have started advertising on radio and television.  McIntyre has been running television advertising for about two months.  Pantano television advertising started in August.  In a sure indication the McIntyre campaign has polling data similar to Pantano, his campaign is airing negative ads on Pantano before Labor Day.