Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker leads his Democratic challenger, businesswoman Mary Burke, by seven points among likely voters, according to a survey released Wednesday by Marquette University Law School.
The Marquette poll, which was conducted from Oct. 23-26, shows that 50 percent of 1,164 likely voters plan to vote for the Republican governor, while only 43 percent in this same category plan to vote for Burke.
Marquette’s last poll, two weeks ago, had shown Burke and Walker tied at 47 percent with likely voters, suggesting a late trend in Walker’s favor.
Among registered voters, Walker leads Burke by just a point — 46 to 45 percent — the new poll shows.
“Simply put, more Walker supporters say they will vote than Burke supporters say that, at this point,” the polling group said on Wednesday, citing poll director Charles Franklin.
“Among registered voters, [the governor’s] race has shifted little over time, but among likely voters, shifts have been significant,” the group said.
Marquette’s surveys have long been considered the gold standard for polling in the Badger State, having been accurate in Walker’s 2010 election and his 2012 recall election. This is their final survey before the Nov. 4 midterm elections.
Burke has run a vigorous campaign against Walker, raising millions of dollars and regularly performing well in the polls. The race has been close enough that Walker recently made remarks interpreted as criticism of Gov. Chris Christie, R-N.J., who heads the Republican Governors Association for failing to back him up with enough money for airtime.
Walker has since moved to smooth things over with the Garden State governor.
“Let me be clear: When I complain about the national groups that come in, I by no means am complaining about the RGA,” Walker said Monday at a campaign stop. “Gov. Christie’s a good friend. He’s the only person I’m campaigning with this week who’s not from Wisconsin, and that’s because he’s a friend and he asked if he could come to the state and campaign.”
He repeated his point that he has so far dealt with an opponent who enjoys healthy financial backing, but he again said he doesn’t place all the blame on the RGA.
“That’s not a reflection on the RGA. That’s just a reflection of the fact that I’ve been their No. 1 target for the past two years,” said Walker, referring Democratic operatives and labor leaders.
Walker won his recall election in 2012 by seven points against Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett.
