Former Rep. Doug Ose led his fellow Republicans in a targeted California House race by a wide margin, according to a poll conducted for Ose’s campaign.  

Ose took 24 percent in the poll, while his two GOP opponents in the June 3 top-two primary for California’s 7th District didn’t crack double digits. Among the other two Republicans, former Capitol Hill aide Igor Birman took 8 percent and nonprofit executive Elizabeth Emken was supported by 6 percent of the poll’s respondents.  

The trio is running for the chance to take on freshman Democratic Rep. Ami Bera in this competitive district , located in the Sacramento-area. Not surprisingly, Bera, who is a near lock to advance beyond the primary, led all challengers with 43 percent.  

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In California, the top-two vote recipients, regardless of party, advance to the general election.  

The poll was conducted via live telephone calls by GOP firm, the Tarrance Group. It surveyed 350 likely primary voters April 22-24. The poll had a margin of error of 5.2 points.  

Some California Republicans say privately Ose is the best candidate to take on Bera in November. But conservative groups like the Madison Project and FreedomWorks are backing Birman.  

Ose outraised the GOP primary field, bringing in $481,000 in the first three months of the year — including a $250,000 personal loan to the campaign. Ose also reported $418,000 in cash on hand. Birman raised $111,000 in the first quarter and had $70,000 in the bank as of March 31. Emken also raised $111,000 and ended the first quarter with $220,000 on hand.  

Bera reported raising $491,000 in the first quarter and ended March with nearly $1.5 million in the bank.  

California’s 7th District is rated a Leans Democratic contest by Rothenberg Political Report/Roll Call.