A new Democratic poll showed Democrat Dan Seals ahead of Republican Bob Dold by 13 points in the open-seat race to succeed GOP Rep. Mark Kirk.

Seals led 46 percent to 38 percent in the poll taken for Seals’ campaign, a larger margin than in a poll taken by the same firm in May.

“We are encouraged by this recent poll because it means that voters trust Dan to provide independent leadership and fiscal responsibility,” Seals Communications Director Aviva Gibbs said in a release. “Dan will continue to focus on creating jobs and keeping taxes low, while ensuring that we protect our values and reduce the national debt in the years ahead.”

The Anzalone Liszt Research poll of 500 voters was conducted Aug. 30 to Sept. 2 and had a margin of error of 4.4 points. It also showed Seals leading by 5 points among independent voters and picking up 22 percent of voters who supported Kirk in 2008.

Despite the fact that the 10th district hasn’t elected a Democrat since Abner Mikva in 1978, the poll’s summary says the district is “still good territory for Democrats.” On the generic ballot question, 40 percent of respondents said they favored a Democrat and 39 percent favored a Republican. The survey showed President Barack Obama with a favorability rating of 59 percent.

A WeAskAmerica poll conducted on Aug. 4 also found a competitive race. It showed the race essentially tied, with Dold ahead by 3 points and a margin of error of 3 points. The Republican had 40 percent to the Democrat’s 43 percent.