One of the most hotly contested Senate races of 2020 is taking place in Montana, with incumbent Republican Steve Daines facing off against Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock.

According to a poll released Monday by Emerson College, Daines leads Bullock, 50%-44%. The survey comes after Public Policy Polling released a poll in mid-July that showed Bullock leading Daines, 46%-44.

Daines has served as Montana’s junior Senator since 2015, and is a strong supporter of President Donald Trump. He is anti-abortion, pro-gun and has defended Trump’s controversial responses to the COVID-19 pandemic and the demonstrations after the death of George Floyd. He also rejects the scientific consensus on climate change.

Bullock, who has been among the more popular governors in the country, is pro-choice and supports some forms of gun control as well as supports efforts to curb climate change. As governor, Bullock has moved to expand Medicaid coverage under the Affordable Care Act. He has been praised for his response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the second quarter of the year, Bullock raised $7.7 million, a record single-quarter haul for a Senate candidate in the state. Daines brought in $4.8 million during the same period.

The Cook Political Report has rated the Senate Montana race as a “Toss Up.”

The latest poll is bad news for Democrats as they seek to retake the Senate from the GOP. Democrats will need to win back three or four seats to control the upper chamber, depending on which party wins the White House.

Senate races in other states show more promise for the Democrats. Polls in Arizona consistently show former astronaut Mark Kelly with a solid lead over incumbent Sen. Martha McSally, R-Ariz. In North Carolina, Democratic challenger Cal Cunningham has a strong chance of unseating Republican Sen. Thom Tillis. Maine is also considered a key race as Republican Sen. Susan Collins is considered vulnerable after not voting for articles of impeachment against Trump.

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