Republican Congressman Peter Roskam (IL-06) is poorly known, weakly-rated and vulnerable to defeat by Democratic congressional candidate Leslie Coolidge, according to a new poll released today by nationally recognized firm Anzalone Liszt Research.  Roskam’s mediocre standing -- in what the poll demonstrates is a battleground “swing” district -- bodes well for Coolidge. 

Voters are not sold on Roskam. Only 43% give him a positive job rating, and only 42% of likely voters say they would vote to re-elect him (37% say they would vote for someone new).  After hearing balanced descriptions of both candidates, the race is close to a dead heat (Coolidge 44% / Roskam 47%).

This is a classic swing district: President Obama won this district in 2008 and leads Mitt Romney again, 47% to 44%. Also, 42% of likely voters prefer a Democratic candidate for Congress vs. 43% who prefer a Republican candidate for Congress.  Republicans in Congress (42% favorable / 51% unfavorable) and the Tea Party (36% favorable / 53% unfavorable) are both unpopular.

The 6^th Congressional District is strongly pro-choice: 56% pro-choice vs. 35% pro-life.  Roskam supports criminalizing abortion even in cases of rape or incest, and he joined Congressmen Paul Ryan and Todd Akin in supporting a measure that would have redefined rape to exclude statutory rape and date rape.

“These numbers confirm that Congressman Roskam does not share our families’ priorities,” said Leslie Coolidge. “Voters oppose his extreme agenda – like his efforts to restrict access to contraception and his opposition to a woman’s right to choose in nearly all cases.  This poll demonstrates that this is a winnable race.”

The Anzalone Liszt Research poll of 400 likely 6^th Congressional District voters was conducted September 12 – 16 for Coolidge for Congress.  To see the full Anzalone Liszt polling memo,click here  or visit www.CoolidgeForCongress.com