Updated: 4:30 p.m.

John Fleming is ahead in the crowded GOP field in Louisiana’s 4th district, according to a just-released poll for his campaign.

Fleming, who is a doctor and a businessman, received 43 percent in the survey, conducted July 25-27 by Southern Media & Opinion Research. Businessman Chris Gorman, who works for his family’s trucking company, was second with 17 percent, and former Bossier Chamber of Commerce President Jeff Thompson was third with 15 percent.

Retiring Rep. Jim McCrery (R) threw his support behind Thompson, hoping to propel him to the top of a field of previously unknown candidates. But according to this survey, Fleming is in the driver’s seat with a month to go before the Sept. 6 primary.

The winner of the GOP primary will face Caddo district attorney Paul Carmouche (D) in what is expected to be a very competitive race, particularly in light of recent Democratic success in the special elections in Louisiana’s 6th district and Mississippi’s 1st district. Carmouche is on the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s list of “Red to Blue” candidates who are targeted to receive help from the national party.

Recent internal Democratic polling appeared to reinforce the GOP findings.

A Kitchens Group survey conducted for the Carmouche campaign found that in a hypothetical GOP primary, Fleming led his fellow Republicans with 27 percent, Gorman took 20 percent, Thompson polled at 14 percent, and 37 percent of those voting in the Republican primary were undecided. The poll of 600 likely voters was conducted July 16-21 and had a 4-point margin of error.

John McArdle contributed to this report.