Alan J. Borsuk – Page 93 – Marquette University Law School Faculty Blog

GOP Senate race looks tighter in new Law School Poll results

Post author:Alan J. Borsuk
Post published:August 8, 2012
Post category:Public

The complex and eye-catching four-candidate race for the Republican nomination for Wisconsin’s open U.S. Senate seat is getting tighter as the Aug. 14 primary draws near, according to results released Wednesday by the Marquette Law School Poll.

The extensive polling project, which has been tracking trends in the race for months, found that former Gov. Tommy Thompson continues to lead among likely voters, but his margins have narrowed and the race as a whole is closer than at previous times. In the new results, Thompson drew support from 28% of likely voters, compared to 20% for businessman Eric Hovde, 18% for former Rep. Mark Neumann, and 13% for Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald. A noteable 21% of likely voters say they are undecided.

Looking to November’s presidential voting, President Barack Obama leads former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Rommney, 50% to 45%. A month ago, the Law School poll put Obama up 51% to 43%. In general, the presidential race has been stable in Wisconsin since May, poll director Charles Franklin said.

Full results of the poll can be found at law.marquette.edu/poll/.

Starting the Conversation: Leaders Pledge Milwaukee-Chicago Economic Cooperation

Post author:Alan J. Borsuk
Post published:July 17, 2012
Post category:Marquette Law School Milwaukee Public Speakers at Marquette

A majority of people in Wisconsin support the idea of more economic cooperation between Milwaukee and Chicago. A roster of major political and corporate leaders want to see more economic cooperation between Milwaukee and Chicago. A major international organization is urging more cooperation.

But will it happen?

That was the question hanging over a provocative and timely conference Tuesday in the Appellate Courtroom of Eckstein Hall. “Milwaukee’s Future in the Chicago Megacity” was sponsored by Marquette University Law School’s Lubar Fund for Public Policy Research and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

New Poll: Republican Senate Race Changes as Presidential Race Stays Steady

Post author:Alan J. Borsuk
Post published:July 11, 2012
Post category:Election Law Political Processes & Rhetoric Public

With just over a month to go to the Aug. 14 primary election that will pick a Republican candidate for US Senate, the four-way race is changing shape, according to results released Wednesday by the Marquette Law School Poll. Support for Madison businessman Eric Hovde is rising while support for former Congressman Mark Neumann and Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald is declining, the poll results show. Former Governor Tommy Thompson’s support has changed little and he remains in the lead. But with 25% of likely voters in the primary saying they are undecided, the outcome of the race is hard to foresee.

The poll found Thompson supported by 35% of likely primary voters, compared to 34% a month ago, and Hovde supported by 23%, up from 14% a month ago. Neumann was at 10% (down from 16%) and Fitzgerald at 6% (down from 10%).

In match-ups of each of the four Republican candidates against the Democratic candidate in the November final election, Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin, the current outcomes were within the margin of error, with Thompson ahead of Baldwin and Baldwin leading Hovde, Neumann, and Fitzgerald.

The poll also found little change in the presidential race in Wisconsin, with Democratic President Barack Obama ahead of Republican challenger Mitt Romney, 51% to 43%.

In the aftermath of the US Supreme Court decision on the federal health insurance law, there was little overall change in Wisconsinites’ opinions of the law and in the overall numbers for how people rated the Supreme Court. But there was a notable decrease in favorable views of the Court among Republicans and a notable increase among Democrats.

For more information and full results of the poll, click here.