A new poll from businessman Jason Plummer’s campaign shows the GOP nominee leading by double digits in the open 12th district.

Plummer had 45 percent and retired Maj. Gen. William Enyart (D) received 28 percent in the Public Opinion Strategies poll.

The retirement of Rep. Jerry Costello (D-Ill.) created an open-seat race in this downstate district. It’s a competitive race, and Roll Call rates it as a Tossup.

Enyart is not as well-known as Plummer in the district. The original Democratic nominee dropped out of the race in May, forcing local officials to select a new nominee. They picked Enyart in late June, and now the Democrat is starting a campaign from scratch less than six months before Election Day.

Only 26 percent of survey respondents said they have heard of Enyart. Plummer, the GOP’s nominee for lieutenant governor in 2010, boasted 72 percent name identification in the poll.

The polling memo also pointed out President Barack Obama has a 44 percent approval rating in the district.

The poll surveyed 400 likely voters Aug. 1-2 and had a margin of error of 4.9 points.

Public Opinion Strategies conducted the poll for Plummer’s campaign and the National Republican Congressional Committee.