State Senate Majority Leader Debbie Halvorson (D) led construction company owner Martin Ozinga (R) by 11 points in a new Democratic poll conducted on the race to replace retiring Rep. Jerry Weller (R).

In the poll of 500 likely voters, conducted May 18-22 for Halvorson by Anzalone Liszt Research, Halvorson was the choice of 43 percent, Ozinga was named by 32 percent, and Jason Wallace, a Green Party candidate, took 6 percent. The poll had a 4.4-point margin of error.

Democrats believe Weller’s suburban Chicago district represents one of their best pickup opportunities of the 2008 cycle, and according to the polling memo, the issue environment in the district favors Democrats considerably.

“The worsening national political environment has created an excellent opportunity for Democrats here,” pollsters John Anzalone and Jeff Liszt wrote.

— Josh Kurtz