A new poll released Monday showed state Rep. Rick Berg (R) leading nine-term Rep. Earl Pomeroy (D) in the race for North Dakota’s only House seat.

The Rasmussen Reports poll, taken Aug. 10-11, showed Berg with 53 percent to Pomeroy’s 44 percent. Rasmussen surveys have shown Berg ahead since April. This poll questioned 500 likely voters and had a margin of error of 4.5 points.

Pomeroy, who was elected in 1993 after serving in the North Dakota House and as state insurance commissioner, hasn’t had a competitive race since 2002. In 2008 he defeated conservative activist Duane Sand with 62 percent of the vote.

This year won’t be so easy. Berg was named to the National Republican Congressional Committee’s “Young Guns” program earlier this month, signaling that operatives believe he’s one of the Republicans’ best House challengers and will get the committee’s full support.

On Pomeroy’s behalf, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has already reserved time for TV advertising across North Dakota.