A July 7 poll conducted by a noted Democratic polster , Sergio Bendixen , showed Diaz-Balart ahead of Martinez by a four-point margin , 41 to 37 percent , with 22 percent undecided . David Hill , the Diaz-Balart brothers ' pollster , said Lincoln 's internal polling shows the congressman with a 12-point lead over Martinez and a " double-digit advantage over his opponent in virtually every significant segment of the electorate . " On August 1 , 2008 , a leading Washington analyst , Rothenberg Political Report , reported that they see a " possible re-election trouble for Lincoln Diaz-Balart " . According to an August 14 , 2008 '' Time '' article , Lincoln Diaz-Balart faces a competitive race . It also said that " Democratic voter registration in Miami-Dade County , as in other places , is up , and Republican registration is down . " On August 25 , 2008 , Lincoln Diaz-Balart agreed to debate Martinez , at a Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce event at noon on October 8 . On August 26 , 2008 , Martinez challenged Diaz-Balart to an additional debate in Denver , Colorado , which both candidates were visiting during the 2008 Democratic National Convention
2008 Democratic National Convention
2008 Democratic National Convention
2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida