Republican Gov. Scott Walker has jumped to a 7-point lead against Democratic challenger Mary Burke as the contentious Wisconsin gubernatorial race heads toward the finish line, a new survey shows.
The Marquette University Law School survey among likely voters showed Walker ahead 50 percent to Burke’s 43 percent,
the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.
The lead is an abrupt turnaround for the GOP governor, who has been shown essentially
running neck-and-neck with Burke in previous polls, including one from Marquette just two weeks ago.
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Marquette's survey in early October showed Walker and Burke tied at 47 percent.
The new poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.
When the pollster surveyed all registered voters about the race, the race looks a lot tighter, with Walker leading the challenger by just 1 percentage point, 46 percent to 45 percent, the newspaper reports.
The poll shows that Republicans are more committed to show up for the vote: 93 percent say they’re certain to vote, while 82 percent of Democrats said the same.
Walker also had a big lead among independents, the poll showed: Walker leads among independents 52 percent to Burke’s 37 percent, the Journal Sentinel reports.
Another factor playing into the Walker lead is that Burke's personal ratings have taken a shot while Walker’s have stayed about the same. According to the survey, 38 percent see Burke favorably but 45 percent have an unfavorable view of her.
"It's the first time we've seen her that far upside down or under water on favorability ratings," poll director Charles Franklin told the Journal Sentinel.
Burke insisted the race was too close to call.
"Today's poll confirms what we've known for months — it's too close to call and going to come down to turnout," her statement said, the newspaper reports.
"In the final 6 days voters face a clear choice. A new direction with Mary Burke where everyone willing to put in the hard work gets a fair shot. Or to continue on the failed path Gov. Walker has us on — which puts those at the top and special interests before Wisconsin families..."
Walker is a possible 2016 presidential candidate if he survives the gubernatorial challenge, leaping into the national spotlight with his clashes with public unions in 2011 and his survival of a recall in 2012,
The Hill notes.
President Obama was in Wisconsin on Tuesday to rally Democrats for Burke.
"If you just sit home and complain, then of course, nothing is going to change," Obama said, The Hill reported. "I can’t change it on my own."
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