Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin’s lead in Wisconsin over Republican businessman Eric Hovde has dwindled to 2 percentage points, down from 7 points in August, according to a new poll.
The nonpartisan Cook Political Report found that Ms. Baldwin now leads Mr. Hovde by 49% to 47% in her bid for reelection. She also leads among independent voters 50%-42%, though that’s an 11-point lurch toward Mr. Hovde since the August survey.
The poll, conducted Sept. 19-25, interviewed 411 likely voters in Wisconsin. It had a margin of error of plus or minus 4.8 percentage points.
The Republicans’ Senate Leadership Fund bought its initial super PAC ad this cycle by plunking down $17 million into the race.
The poll is in line with recent reporting from Axios that there is growing fear among Democrats over how fast the race in Wisconsin has become a dead heat, with party insiders concerned that Mr. Hovde could win and help Republicans recapture the upper chamber.
Another recent poll conducted by Marquette Law School, though, shows Ms. Baldwin maintaining a 7-point lead, 53% to 46%, against Mr. Hovde.
In that survey, Ms. Baldwin’s lead was trimmed to 5 points when respondents could choose “undecided,” with 10% of registered voters doing so, while 48% supported Ms. Baldwin and 43% chose Mr. Hovde.
The MLS poll was conducted Sept. 18-26, interviewed 882 registered voters and 798 likely voters. It had a margin of error of plus or minus 4.4 percentage points.
• Kerry Picket can be reached at kpicket@washingtontimes.com.
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