By Emily Cahn

http://atr.rollcall.com/cresent-hardy-leads-challengers-internal-poll/

Rep. Cresent Hardy, R-Nev., leads all four of the potential Democratic opponents in head-to-head matchups for his 4th District seat, an internal poll conducted for his campaign and obtained by CQ Roll Call shows.

Hardy — who is arguably the most vulnerable House Republican in 2016 — has the slimmest lead over former state Assemblywoman Lucy Flores.

In that matchup, Hardy garnered 36 percent to Flores’ 35 percent, with 22 percent undecided.

Against the rest of his potential opponents in the crowded Democratic primary, Hardy holds double-digit leads but never receives more than 39 percent of the vote. That could be problematic for the freshman Republican in a district that President Barack Obama carried by an 11-point margin in 2012.

Against state Sen. Ruben Kihuen, Hardy garnered 38 percent to Kihuen’s 28 percent, with 25 percent undecided.

In a matchup with philanthropist Susie Lee, Hardy received 39 percent to Lee’s 28 percent, with 26 percent undecided.

And against former state Assemblyman John Oceguera, Hardy took 38 percent to Oceguera’s 28 percent, with 25 percent undecided.

Retiring Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, the defacto leader of Nevada’s Democratic Party, isexpected to make an endorsement in the race in the coming days.

Hardy will be a top Democratic target as the party seeks to chip into Republicans’ 30-seat majority.

Hardy is one of two House Republicans in districts the Rothenberg & Gonzales Political Report/Roll Call project to switch party control next year. The race is rated Tilts Democratic.

The Hardy campaign’s poll was conducted by Moore Information on Aug. 16 and 17. It surveyed 400 voters via live telephone, and has a margin of error of plus or minus 5 percent.