MU Poll: Harris maintains slight advantage over Trump, WI Senate race widens

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Vice President Kamala Harris has a narrow 4-point lead over former President Donald Trump, according to the latest Marquette University Law School Poll.

Harris has maintained her 52% to 48% advantage over Trump among likely and registered voters.

The results, which fall within the polls margin of error, are unchanged from three weeks ago despite both candidates campaigning heavily in the battleground state.

Marquette's Poll Director Charles Franklin said it could be a sign neither candidate has swayed undecided voters or the recent news cycle, such as last month's presidential debate, didn't change people's opinions.

"We are very evenly divided, but we also don't change our minds very much," Franklin said.

The poll surveyed 882 registered voters and 798 likely voters Sept. 18-26th with a margin of error +/- 4.4 percentage points for both samples.

The release comes after a series of visits by former President Trump who held two events in Milwaukee and Dane County on Tuesday and a rally in Prairie du Chien over the weekend.

Meanwhile, Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff campaign for his spouse Tuesday as well and Harris plans to visit Ripon College tomorrow.

Support for RFK Jr. Weakens

Support for former independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy continues to trend downward in the latest poll.

Kennedy was backed by 3% of respondents when matched with Harris, Trump and other third-party candidates. That's down from 6% last month and 8% in August.

Franklin said the findings are good news for the Trump campaign as some worried with Kennedy remaining on Wisconsin ballots, it could take votes away from the former president.

However, Franklin also downplayed the impact as he predicted Kennedy's support would weaken closer to November.

The state Supreme Court recently rejected Kennedy's request to remove his name from the presidential ballot following a lower court striking down his lawsuit.

Voter Enthusiasm

A gap between voter enthusiasm is also narrowing in the final five weeks of the campaign. Harris holds modest edge over Trump, but Republicans overall are showing improving, according to the poll.

Seventy-one percent of Democrats say they're "very enthusiastic" to vote, down one point from last month. Meanwhile, Republicans saw a 4-point increase from September with 67% Republicans "very enthusiastic."

There will be one more poll by Marquette University before the election on Oc.t 30th.

U.S. Senate Race

Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin widened her lead over her GOP opponent Eric Hovde with a 7-point lead in the U.S. Seante race.

Baldwin is up 53% to 46% backing Hovde among registered and likely voters.

Last month Baldwin maintained a 4-point advantage.