Sen. Tammy Baldwin maintains a tight lead over Eric Hovde in newest Marquette poll

MADISON – Less than two months from the Nov. 5 election, Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin maintains a slight lead over Republican challenger businessman Eric Hovde, according to a new Marquette University Law School poll of Wisconsin voters released Wednesday.

Baldwin led Hovde among registered voters 52%-48% and among likely voters 52-47%. That shows little change since the last Marquette poll conducted in August, which had Baldwin leading Hovde among registered voters 53% to 46% and among likely voters 52% to 47%.

The results include voters who were initially undecided and were asked who they would vote for if they had to choose. Without factoring in the 8% of registered voters undecided between Baldwin and Hovde, Baldwin led 48-44%.

The race is closely watched as one that could help determine the balance of power in the Senate, where Baldwin is seeking her third term.

The new poll surveyed 822 registered voters, between Aug. 28-Sept. 5. The margin of error was plus or minus 4.6 percentage points. There were 438 likely voters with a margin of error of plus or minus 4.7 points.

This most recent round of polling concluded before Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican former President Donald Trump debated Tuesday night.

In the latest poll, Baldwin is viewed favorably by 47% of voters, compared to 44% in August. She is also viewed unfavorably by 46%. About 7% of voters had no opinion of her, compared to 12% in August.

Hovde is viewed favorably by 34%, compared to 24% in August. He is viewed unfavorably by 43%. The percentage of voters with no opinion of him has gone down to 22% from 38% last month.

The Marquette poll released Wednesday is the second one conducted since Kamala Harris replaced President Joe Biden at the top of the ticket against Trump.

Baldwin and Hovde will meet for a debate on Oct. 18, hosted by WMTV-TV in Madison. The debate will be televised and broadcasted on radio across the state. Hovde has pushed Baldwin to agree to more debates, including in Milwaukee and Green Bay.

Jessie Opoien can be reached at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Tammy Baldwin maintains tight lead over Eric Hovde in Wisconsin poll