Freshman Rep. Steve Kagen (D) is headed toward a second tight race against former Assembly Speaker John Gard (R). According to polling from Gard’s campaign, Kagen has a narrow 1-point lead over him.

Kagen led Gard in the Public Opinion Strategies poll, 46 percent to 45 percent, with 9 percent undecided. The poll surveyed 400 likely voters Sept. 17-18 and had a margin of error of 4.9 points.

Kagen defeated Gard in their first matchup in 2006 by about 6,000 votes. The district traditionally votes Republican: Polling also showed GOP presidential nominee Sen. John McCain (Ariz.) defeating Democratic nominee Sen. Barack Obama (Ill.), 49 percent to 41 percent.

National Republican Congressional Campaign spokesman Ken Spain said the tight race was a sign that Kagen is a bad fit for the district.

“Steve Kagen is clearly on the run after his record on drilling has been exposed,” Spain said. “Once voters become even more aware about his out-of-step record, including his support for massive tax hikes and cuts to Medicare, he will owe Wisconsin voters an even bigger explanation.”