Tammy Baldwin opens 7-point lead over Eric Hovde in new Marquette poll

MADISON – About a month ahead of the Nov. 5 election, Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin leads Republican challenger businessman Eric Hovde by 7 points, according to a new Marquette University Law School poll of Wisconsin voters released Wednesday.

Baldwin leads Hovde among both registered and likely voters 53%-46%. That shows some change from the last Marquette poll released in September, which had Baldwin leading Hovde among registered voters 52%-48% and among likely voters 52-47%.

More: Kamala Harris maintains tight 4-point Wisconsin edge over Donald Trump in Marquette poll

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.

In the latest poll, Baldwin is viewed favorably by 47% of voters, and unfavorably by 47% of voters. About 6% of voters had no opinion of her.

Hovde is viewed favorably by 36%, and unfavorably by 45%. About 18% of voters had no opinion of him.

The new poll surveyed 882 registered voters, between Sept. 18-26. The margin of error was plus or minus 4.4 percentage points. There were 798 likely voters, with the same margin of error.

The Marquette poll released Wednesday is the third one conducted since Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris replaced President Joe Biden at the top of the ticket against Republican former President Donald Trump.

Baldwin and Hovde will meet for a debate on Oct. 18, hosted by the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association Foundation at WMTV-TV in Madison. The debate will be televised and broadcast on radio across the state.

(This story has been updated to add new information.)

Jessie Opoien can be reached at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Tammy Baldwin opens 7-point lead over Eric Hovde in new Marquette poll