Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wisc., dodged a bullet when former Gov. Tommy Thompson, R, decided not to challenge him this year. But that doesn’t mean Feingold gets a free ride. In fact, if a new Rasmussen poll is to be believed, he might have a tough fight on his hands for re-election.
The new poll puts Feingold in the mid-40s against all Republican comers, which is enough to make any incumbent a bit nervous. Against Ron Johnson, the businessman who won the party endorsement at their convention over the weekend, Feingold leads by just two points, 46 to 44 percent. The Rasmussen poll is the first taken in the state since late March, and the first done by anyone that included Johnson as a choice.
A big Republican year in Wisconsin would hurt Democrats considerably. On the ballot this year are races for Senate, an open (and competitive) governor’s race, and an open race for the seat of retiring Rep. David Obey, D. Of equal importance are the races for a handful of competitive state House and Senate districts. Republicans will have a lock on redistricting the state next year if they gain a few seats in each house and win the governor’s race. They’d be happy to win another U.S. Senate seat too, if they can.
