The Wisconsin gubernatorial recall election is less than two weeks away and polls show that it’s a tight race. We Are Wisconsin, a progressive group, released an internal poll on Tuesday showing Republican incumbent Gov. Scott Walker leading his Democratic challenger, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, 50 to 47 percent.
According to a St. Norbert College/Wisconsin Public Radio survey, people likely to vote in the recall election say they support Walker 50% to 45% over Barrett.
So far, according to Wisconsin’s Government Accountability Board, 90,000 absentee ballots have been issued all across the state.
Republicans are stepping up their efforts to rally support behind Walker by bringing in party favorites like Bobby Jindal, a popular Governor in Louisiana. Jindal will be holding a rally for Walker later today in Milwaukee. South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley will be joining Scott Walker on the campaign trail later this week.
Florida Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, chair of the Democratic Party, will hold one fundraiser for Barrett in Milwaukee. Fmr. U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold has also been actively campaigning for Barrett around the state.
President Obama, who carried the state in 2008, has yet to visit and many doubt that he will campaign for Barrett before the election on June 5th. Still, Obama is very interested in this race as polls show the contest between himself and presumptive Republican presidential nominee narrowing suggesting the enthusiasm is on the Right and Wisconsin could be in play come November.
Democrats are looking for a strong turnout among young voters, hoping that it will be enough to put Barrett over the top. But with most college students leaving town for the summer, it may prevent some turning out on Recall Election Day.
Walker’s supporters have demonstrated that they are just engaged by showing up in strong numbers for the primary on May 8th. The governor had 627,000 people turn out to vote – nearly as many as those who voted for the Democratic candidates – despite the fact that the Democrats had a competitive primary and Walker did not.
The biggest surprise in the race so far was Scott Walker’s endorsement from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The paper said, “We see no reason to remove Walker from office” and described his opponent, Barrett, as too slow in his approach to governing.
Barrett downplayed the endorsement saying, “they endorsed him last time, I think they’re slanted. Clearly, their editorial policies have gone to the right.”
Both parties will be continuing their efforts to get out the vote the next two weeks by knocking on doors, making phone calls and holding rallies around the state in hopes the momentum carries them on Recall Election Day.
