A poll suggesting that a number of likely voters in the 1st Congressional District are not sure if they will choose U.S. Rep, Roger Marshall, R-Great Bend, or Alan LaPolice, D-Clyde, has encouraged the LaPolice campaign.

Jayhawk Consulting Services, Topeka, was contracted to measure LaPolice’s potential to win the Nov. 6 general election. The phone survey conducted Sept. 21-22 asked the 400 people surveyed: “If the election for Congress was today, would you be voting for Democrat Alan LaPolice or Republican Roger Marshall?” The LaPolice and Marshall names were rotated on the calls.

Marshall drew 44 percent; LaPolice, 33 percent; and "not sure": 23 percent. The margin of error was plus or minus 4.9 percent.

“At first glance, it might appear that LaPolice has very little chance of winning this election,” Jayhawk Consulting Services noted.

However, Jayhawk Consulting Services saw positive signs for LaPolice because 22 percent of Republicans polled said they were not sure they would vote for Marshall and another 21 percent of Republicans said they would vote for LaPolice. Also, LaPolice has the support of 69 percent of Democrats and is winning those who are neither Democrats nor Republicans.

Marshall ’s campaign spokesman Brent Robertson pointed out that Jayhawk Consulting Services did a poll two years ago that showed Marshall at 45 percent, then-independent LaPolice at 40 percent, and 15 percent not sure. Marshall wound up winning with nearly 66 percent of the vote and LaPolice had 26 percent. A Libertarian also was on the ballot in 2016.

LaPolice’s move to California and then back to Kansas during the interim combined with the new U.S., Mexico, and Canada trade deal announced Monday, Robertson said, makes them optimistic Marshall’s finish in this year’s election will be even better.