A new We Ask America poll shows U.S. Senator Richard "Dick" Durbin could be vulnerable in his 2014 re-election bid, and Illinois State Senator Jim Oberweis may be the GOP's strongest challenger.
In a head-to-head, the poll shows Durbin at 49.97% and Oberweis at 38.67%, with 11.36% undecided.
Breaking down the data, Oberweis polls stronger among men at 47.13% to Durbin's 45.16%. He also polls stronger among voters 25-44 years old, and beats Durbin in the vote-rich collar counties as well as downstate.
Oberweis told Illinois Review he was surprised by the poll and the results. He said he's considering a run, but has made no decision.
Oberweis has significant name recognition having run statewide for U.S. Senate in 2002 and for Governor in 2006. In 2012 he won election to the Illinois State Senate representing the 25th District.
The poll was run yesterday among 1,434 likely voters and has a margin of error of +/-2.86%
