WASHINGTON — Like many political newcomers taking on a well-entrenched incumbent, Walker County schoolteacher and Democrat Jeff Scott faces an uphill battle.

But though he is short on name recognition and significantly trails opponent Rep. Nathan Deal, R-Ga., in fundraising, Mr. Scott said he has been pounding the pavement to make his candidacy known. He has a large area to cover in the district, which includes all or parts of 15 counties.

“What we have to do is get in front of enough people, and then we have a shot,” said Mr. Scott, 35, who lives in Chickamauga, Ga., and is the chairman of the Walker County Democratic Party.

“One on one, in small groups, we’re doing great,” he said. “I’m on the road constantly, going to meetings. I feel good about our momentum.”

Mr. Scott was not required to file a second-quarter fundraising report with the Federal Election Commission, because he did not raise more than $5,000, though he said he has crossed that benchmark since the third quarter began July 1.

By comparison, Rep. Deal has $267,000 in his campaign war chest.

“I love leadership, and I believe that’s what we need in this country,” Mr. Scott said. “I have the passion to do it, and I love having that connection with people.”

For his part, Rep. Deal said his positions line up more squarely with those of his constituents than do those of his opponent.

A former Democrat and state lawmaker, Rep. Deal switched parties in 1995, two years after first taking office in 1993.

“As long as you are still adhering to the principles your constituents believe in and your party stands for, at least on that level, you find satisfaction,” said Rep. Deal, 65, who resides in Gainesville, Ga.

Georgia’s 9th Congressional District stretches across much of North Georgia, and includes Dade, Walker, Catoosa, Whitfield and Murray counties.

Most political observers have the race rated as safe for Rep. Deal, who was among several Southern Democrats to change party affiliation in the 1990s. When he won his first full term as a Republican in 1996, he was the first Republican the district had sent to Congress since Reconstruction, and he has been re-elected since.

“The problem for Southern Democrats in the 1990s was the Democratic Party in Congress was becoming more liberal than what they were used to,” said Charles Bullock, a political science professor at the University of Georgia. “By becoming Republican, he doesn’t have to deal with those cross-pressures.”

Martin Matheny, spokesman for the Georgia Democratic Party, said the party has plenty of room for Southern Democrats, citing Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va., and Reps. John Barrow and Jim Marshall, both D-Ga.

He criticized Rep. Deal, calling him a “do-nothing” congressman.

“He votes against everything sponsored by a Democrat,” Mr. Matheny said. “People in North Georgia want someone who gets things done and is not a crony of the Republicans.”

Mr. Scott also criticized Rep. Deal’s votes against the farm bill and against an expansion of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, which partially funds Georgia’s PeachCare.

“When you look at his voting record over the past 15 years, I don’t think he’s done a whole lot for the middle class,” Mr. Scott said.

Rep. Deal said he stands by his record. He has been an outspoken critic of policies favoring corn ethanol, which he said has led to food price inflation and caused financial stress for chicken producers in the district.

Rep. Deal also has been an immigration reform advocate, writing bills that would eliminate birthright citizenship.

He is the ranking minority member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce’s Subcommittee on Health.

With high gas prices the issue of the day, Rep. Deal said he supports Republican proposals to expand searches for oil by drilling and by exploring Western oil shales, which Democrats largely have opposed on environmental grounds.

“We see diametrically opposed positions between the two parties,” Rep. Deal said.

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