While the Kansas campaign for U.S. Senate might be getting national attention, another Kansas congressional race might also be coming down to the wire. Democrat Jim Sherow is trying to unseat incumbent Republican Kansas Congressman Tim Huelskamp in what might potentially be a closer race than many expected for Kansas’s 1st Congressional District.

Though there is no clear-cut barometer on how the campaign is really going, Sherow’s campaign is encouraged by a recent poll that they say shows the democrat with a 7 point lead in the race. Howver, A survey from the Kansas City based Remington Research Group, gives Huelskamp a 25 point leads over Sherow.

Huelskamp represents the largely rural district in western and central Kansas. He is seeking his third, two-year term. Sherow is a Kansas State University history professor and former Manhattan mayor.

The race is a contrast in candidates, and political ideologies. Huelskamp contends that he is fighting for Kansas against the problems in Washington, while Sherow contends that Huelskamp is the problem. Huelskamp is a Tea Party favorite, while Sherow is backed by a group of moderate Republican former state legislators called Traditional Republicans for Common Sense.

While many statewide races are close, it is difficult for a Democrat to win in the 1st District, known as the “Big 1st”. In the district 53 percent of registered voters are Republicans. By contrast, the number for registered Republican voters statewide is 44 percent.