Hotline On Call

Rep. Allen West, R-Fla., is in a dead heat in his quest for re-election, according to a new poll released Thursday by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

The survey shows Democratic businessman Patrick Murphy at 47 percent, compared to 46 percent for West. Seven percent of respondents said they are undecided.

West, one of the most controversial members of the GOP's freshman class, is running in Florida's newly-drawn 18th District. He currently serves the 22nd District, but that seat became more friendly to Democrats through redistricting, causing West to look elsewhere. Based on presidential results, West is now running in one of the most evenly divided seats in the nation. The district narrowly went for President Obama in 2008 after favoring George W. Bush by a similarly small margin in 2004.

The poll's findings echo those of an internal poll released by Murphy in May that showed the two tied at 45 percent.

West hasn't toned down his rhetoric in the face of a competitive re-election campaign. During an appearance in Tampa on Wednesday, the congressman said the Democratic Party is "the most racist party I've ever seen in my life."

Grove Insight conducted the poll of 400 likely voters from August 21 through August 24. It carries a margin of error of plus-or-minus 4.9 percentage points.