NV-02: Heller Leads by 7

Research 2000 (10/3-5, likely voters, 8/18-20 in parens):

Jill Derby (D): 41 (42)

Dean Heller (R-inc): 48 (47)

(MoE: ±5.0%)

Some pretty marginal movement here, but Heller remains under 50% and Derby’s within striking distance. The Reno Gazette-Journal also brings us this tease:

On an interesting side note, Heller’s numbers are much better in CD2 than John McCain’s. An indication, perhaps, that the Heller campaign is taking its ground game more seriously than the top of the ticket.

The article doesn’t give us the McCain-Obama head-to-heads, but if McCain is underperforming Heller in this close poll, he’s starting way behind statewide. After all, Bush won this district by 16 points in 2004 (and by 20 points in 2000).

SSP currently rates this race as Lean Republican.