A new poll out today shows Republican Gov. Sam Brownback with a lead over his likely Democratic challenger, Rep. Paul Davis of Lawrence.

The survey by Rasmussen Reports of 750 likely voters conducted April 16-17 shows Browback leading, 47 percent to 40 percent, with 6 percent preferring somebody else, and 7 percent undecided. The survey has a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.

The polling firm also found GOP Sen. Pat Roberts of Kansas with a strong lead in a hypothetical match-up with former Democratic Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, 54-37 percent.

Last week, the New York Times published a story saying Sebelius had been urged to return to Kansas and run against Roberts. But a spokeswoman for the Health and Human Services secretary said Friday that she is not considering such a bid.

In October, SurveyUSA reported Brownback trailing 39-43 percent. But that was a survey of registered voters. The Rasmussen survey of likely voters may be more reflective of the population that actually turns out to vote in November.