NBC Poll Shows Governor Scott Walker Trailing Democrat by 13% in Wisconsin

Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker is trailing his likely Democratic challenger by double-digits, according to a new poll from NBC News and Marist College.

This new poll is the latest in a series of opinion surveys in recent days which have shown that approval of Republicans in Midwestern states has significantly fallen since Donald Trump became president.

The NBC/Marist poll showed Walker way behind Wisconsin state education superintendent Tony Evers, the Democratic primary front-runner. In the poll Evers is favored by 54 percent of respondents compared to Walker’s 41 percent in a head-to-head matchup.

Walker has expressed his concerns over recent months, warning Republicans that will need to step up their efforts and become more active if he is to win third term as governor of the Badger State.

To get more stories like this, subscribe to our newsletter The Daily.

Walker’s warnings came after Democrats won several down-ballot elections in Wisconsin earlier this year, including judgeships and seats in the state legislature.

NBC and Marist also surveyed the governor’s races in Michigan and Minnesota, showing Democrats in commanding positions in both races, neither of which has an incumbent governor running.

In Michigan, Democrat Gretchen Whitmer is the front-runner in the Democratic gubernatorial primary and Republican Bill Schuette is the primary front-runner for his party. The new poll shows that in a general election matchup Whitmer leads Schuette 47 percent to 38 percent.

In Minnesota, former Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty also trails two Democrats by double digits in the new poll. Lori Swanson and Tim Walz are the two top candidates in the Democratic primary and the NBC/Marist poll shows each Democrat receiving 51 percent support of the vote compared to just 40 percent for Pawlenty.

On Wednesday we reported that “Trump’s Support In The Heartland Collapses As Midwestern Voters Swing Toward Democrats” and this new information from NBC News confirms that there has been a movement away from Republicans in critical Midwestern states.

The poll also had good news for Democrats in U.S. Senate races:  

• In Wisconsin, incumbent Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin held a substantial lead over both potential Republican challengers.
• In Michigan, incumbent Democratic Sen. Debbie Stabenow topped both potential Republicans challengers by double-digits.
• In Minnesota, Democratic Sen. Tina Smith — who replaced former Sen. Al Franken in January — led her Republican challenger by 14 percentage points.

Leo Vidal

I am a lifelong Democrat with a passion for social justice and progressive issues. I have degrees in writing, economics and law from the University of Iowa.