New Civil Beat polls showed Honolulu Councilwoman Tulsi Gabbard closed the gap with former Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann in the race for the U.S. House.

What a change a few months of campaigning have made. "The last time the race was polled Tulsi Gabbard was largely unknown," said Civil Beat reporter Michael Levine.

The latest poll numbers show more voters not only know her, they also liked her.

In fact, she would have been in a statistical tie with Hannemann -- if Democrats had cast their ballots earlier this month, when the Civil Beat polls were taken.

But instead of celebrating the results, Gabbard downplayed the latest numbers.

"I'm not focusing on polling numbers. I'm focused on going across the state, introducing myself to people and listening to their concerns," said Gabbard.

Hannemann has also been on the road meeting with voters and, like Gabbard, did not focus on the Civil Beat poll.

Instead, his campaign focused on a June poll for which it paid.

"What we found was Mufi holds the lead by about 16 to 18 percent," said Tyler Dos Santos-Tam, Hannemann's deputy campaign manager.

The former Honolulu mayor has been highlighting his previous efforts in elected office during the campaign for the U.S. House, but according to the Civil Beat polls, voters weren't only basing their decision on experience.