Activists wearing Boston Tea Party-themed costumes gather to participate in a tax revolt rally in Santa Barbara, California, in this April 4, 2009 file photo. REUTERS/Rebecca Cook

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A new poll had good news and bad news for Republicans on Wednesday -- they lead Democrats in November congressional elections but would lose if a Tea Party candidate is included on the ballot.

The poll by Quinnipiac University said voters by 44 percent to 39 percent said they planned to vote for a Republican over a Democratic candidate in November, the latest sign of a rebirth of the Republican Party.

However, if there is a Tea Party candidate on the ballot, the Democrat would get 36 percent to 25 percent for the Republican and 15 percent to the Tea Party representative.

The poll was further evidence that the Tea Party movement largely draws from the Republican Party. It said only 13 percent of American voters say they are part of the movement.

Republicans have been working to find ways to absorb unpredictable Tea Party followers into their fold.

The poll found that 74 percent of Tea Party supporters are Republican or independents who lean Republican, while 16 percent are Democrats or independents who lean Democratic.