44% To 28%; 27% Undecided [img_assist|nid=2776|title=Andy Harris|desc=Campaign Photo|link=none|align=left|width=173|height=205]

A new internal campaign poll, obtained by PolitickerMD.com, shows state Sen. Andy Harris (R-Cockeysville) with a 16-point lead over his opponent, state's Attorney Frank Kratovil (D-Stevensville) in Maryland's 1st Congressional District.

44.3 percent of those polled by the Harris campaign said they will or are likely to vote for Harris, while 28.3 percent said the same of Kratovil. Another 27.3 percent remain undecided.

This Harris campaign's survey of 300 registered voters was conducted just over a week ago on July 15, and has a margin of error of 5.65 percent. The results show Kratovil's support eroding from his campaign's April poll in which he trailed Harris by only nine points, 43 percent to 34 percent with 23 percent undecided.

Harris, one of the most conservative members of the state Senate, won the Republican nomination over nine-term incumbent U.S. Rep. Wayne Gilchrest on Feb. 12 in what was viewed as a hard fought and divisive campaign. Gilchrest still refuses to concede the race to Harris and some of his campaign workers have gravitated towards Kratovil.

But the new poll perhaps allays Republican fears that the brutal primary did long-lasting damage to Harris' image. His favorability rating stands at 37 percent, more than triple his 12 percent negatives. 38 percent of voters had no opinion while 13 percent have never heard of him.

Meanwhile Kratovil's ratings come in at 14 percent favorable and 14 percent unfavorable with 48 percent having no opinion and 24 percent having never heard of him -- well above those who are unfamiliar with Harris, leaving more room for his opponent to define him.

Still, the prospects of a Democrat winning the seat in 2008 are better than they have been in many years, which began with the recruitment of a politically experienced challenger in Kratovil, first elected Queen Anne's County State's Attorney in 2002. In June, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee highlighted his bid by adding it to their 'Red-to-Blue' program which identifies promising pickup opportunities and provides financial and advertising support.

According to a polling memo composed by Harris' pollster Arthur J. Finkelstein, Kratovil's "liberal positions and close ties to Gov. O’Malley are viewed negatively," indicating Harris may focus his campaign on tying his opponent Democrats in Annapolis and Washington.