WI-Sen: Latest poll shows Democrat Tammy Baldwin with double-digit lead over Leah Vukmir

Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) has extended her lead over her Republican challenger, state Sen. Leah Vukmir, according to the latest Marquette University Law School poll.

What are the details?

The poll, taken last week, shows Baldwin ahead by 11 points with the support of 53 percent of likely Wisconsin voters, to Vukmir's 42 percent. This is up from the 2-point lead Baldwin held in the August survey, which showed the candidates at 49 percent to 47 percent.

The margin of error is 4.4 percentage points, with a sample size of 614 likely voters contacted on cellphone or landline.

From August to September, the percentage of voters holding a favorable opinion of Vukmir dropped from 30 to 26 percent, and those with an unfavorable view of the state senator rose from 29 percent to 38 percent.

Voters with a favorable view of Baldwin rose by 2 points during the same time, going from 46 percent to 48 percent. The percentage of voters who held an unfavorable view of Baldwin dropped by the same amount, from 42 to 40 percent.

Breaking down respondents by race, gender, and education levels, Baldwin performs best among white, female college graduates at 64 percent, while Vukmir does best with non-college white males at 54 percent.

Vukmir campaign manager Jess Ward told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "This poll is a snapshot of a very competitive race." There are still seven weeks left before the Nov. 6 midterm elections.

Wisconsin's U.S. Senate race is one of the most expensive in the country, according the Center for Responsive Politics, which shows more than $30 million has been spent by candidates and outside groups. Only the U.S. Senate races in Missouri and Florida show higher spending.

Anything else?

The Marquette poll also showed President Donald Trump's approval rating among Wisconsinites dropped from 45 percent in August to 42 percent in September. Those who disapprove of Trump went from 51 percent to 54.

Regarding health care, 47 percent of Wisconsin voters surveyed have a positive view of Obamacare, while 45 percent have an unfavorable view. Four percent said the law should remain as-is, 55 percent say it should be kept and improved, 25 percent say it should be repealed and replaced, and 10 percent think it should just be repealed.

On tariffs and free trade, 31 percent believe increased tariffs on steel and aluminum imports will improve the U.S. economy, 52 percent disagree, and 17 percent said they don't know.