A Democratic poll from late last month showed New York Rep. Tim Bishop, who won a squeaker of an election against businessman Randy Altschuler in 2010, faring quite well in their likely rematch this November.

The survey, done by for Bishop by respected firm Global Strategy Group, found the Democrat led Altschuler 53 percent to 36 percent among likely voters in New York’s 1st district, with 11 percent undecided.

Fifty-five percent of likely voters in the eastern Long Island district had a favorable opinion of Bishop, while 31 percent had an unfavorable impression of him. Altschuler had a 28 percent favorable/21 percent unfavorable split, according to the poll.

The live telephone poll of 402 likely general elections voters in the district was conducted March 20-25 and had a margin of error of 4.9 points.

In an extensive interview with Roll Call in January, Bishop said he expected the 2012 electorate, with a presidential year turnout, to be more friendly to him than the 2010 electorate.

“I want to be clear as I possibly can be: I am expecting a very tough race,” he said at the time. “I am not taking anything for granted. We are preparing for a very tough race and we will run a very tough race.”