Democrats released several polls Wednesday aimed to show their candidates are competitive in key House races this cycle.

The eight surveys paid for by the Democratic group House Majority PAC mark some of the first public surveys of the cycle in many of these races. Democrats must win 25 seats in November to take back control of the House — an unrealistic feat, Republicans argue.

Public Policy Polling, a Democratic survey firm, conducted the polls. Here’s a roundup of the results:

• In Illinois’ 8th district, polling showed Rep. Joe Walsh (R) trailing a generic Democratic opponent, 35 percent to 49 percent. Iraq War veteran Tammy Duckworth and former Illinois Deputy Treasurer Raja Krishnamoorthi are seeking the Democratic nomination in the March 20 primary. The district heavily favors Democrats.

• In Iowa’s 4th district, polling showed Rep. Steve King (R) ahead of former Iowa first lady Christie Vilsack (D), 49 percent to 43 percent. The northwestern Iowa district leans Republican.

• In Michigan’s 1st district, polling showed freshman Rep. Dan Benishek (R) trailed his 2010 Democratic opponent, Gary McDowell, 41 percent to 46 percent. The northern Michigan district leans Republican, but House Democrats have indicated they will target the seat.

• In Ohio’s 7th district, polling showed freshman Rep. Bob Gibbs (R) in a statistical dead heat with a generic Democratic opponent. The Republican is favored to hold the west-central Ohio district.

• In Maryland’s 6th district, polling showed Rep. Roscoe Bartlett (R) tied with a generic Democratic challenger at 42 percent. Two Democrats, state Sen. Robert Garagiola and wealthy businessman John Delaney, are seeking their party’s nod in the April 3 primary. The district leans Democratic.

• In Ohio’s 16th district, polling showed freshman Rep. Jim Renacci (R) tied with Rep. Betty Sutton (D) at 46 percent. When Republicans redrew the Ohio map during redistricting last year, the GOP moved the two Members into the Republican-leaning seat.

• In Colorado’s 3rd district, polling showed freshman Rep. Scott Tipton (R) leading state Rep. Sal Pace (D), 46 percent to 39 percent. That district is a tossup following the court-ordered redraw of the state’s Congressional map.

• In Ohio’s 6th district, polling showed freshman Rep. Bill Johnson (R) virtually tied with former Rep. Charlie Wilson (D) in their rematch, 42 percent to 41 percent. Nonetheless, that district is likely to be held by Republicans.

PPP polled 500 to 974 registered voters in each district from Jan. 18-23, and the range of margin of error in each of the polls is 3.1 points to 4.4 points.

Abby Livingston contributed to this report.