There is little doubt the 1st Congressional District race has become very close, but Republicans are saying their candidate has the edge, while Democrats see it as a dead heat.

The race between Democrat Frank Kratovil and Republican Andy Harris is "incredibly close," Andrew Langer, the president of the Institute for Liberty, told PolitickerMD.com.

Langer, who also serves as Maryland for McCain's Eastern Shore coordinator, said Harris is ahead by about 3 points, but said that lead was closer to 12 points after the February primaries.

Chris Cavey, chair of Maryland for McCain and chair of the Baltimore County Republican Central Committee agreed the race has narrowed, but said the spread is a bit wider than 3 points.

Cavey predicted Harris will win by about 5 to 7 points but said the spread was about 20 points right after the primaries.

Jim Berndt, a member of the Baltimore County Republican Central Committee, seemed confident Harris will prevail, but said the race is a "heck of a lot tighter than I originally thought it would be."

Meanwhile, Democrats argued neither candidate has an edge.

U.S. Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Kensington), chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, said the race will come "down to the wire."

State Sen. Jim Brochin (D-Towson) bet the race would come down to as little as 300 votes.

Wyatt Wallace, president of the Cecil County Democrat Club and Queen Anne's County Commissioner Gene Ransom both gauged a "fifty-fifty" split. 

"It could go either way," Ransom told PolitickerMD.com.

Michael Cain, chair of the political science department at St. Mary's College of Maryland, wasn't willing to give either candidate the edge.

"It's very close," Cain told PolitickerMD.com. He says Harris could lose, but "nobody knows."

It is clear that the gap between Harris and Kratovil has narrowed substantially since the primaries. Most observers point to a well-run campaign on Kratovil's behalf, a strong and active endorsement from U.S. Rep. Wayne Gilchrest (R-Kennedyville) and a generally tough environment for Republicans.

A major factor on both sides has been outside money. The DCCC and the Club for Growth both invested heavily in 1st District race.

Both organizations bought millions in airtime, the DCCC sent Kratovil a press secretary and the Club for Growth played a significant role in beefing up Harris's war chest.