Cruz Pulls 9 Points Ahead of Trump in New Wisconsin Poll
Ted Cruz has opened up a nine-point lead over Donald Trump in the crucial primary state of Wisconsin, according to a new Marquette Law School poll released Wednesday.
With 7% remaining undecided, Ted Cruz stands at 39.6% among likely voters, with Donald Trump at 30.4%, and John Kasich with 21.4%. In Marquette’s February poll, Trump was up 11 over Cruz, 30 to 19, suggesting that while Trump has not gained in the state, the undecideds and voters who preferred other candidates are breaking for Cruz. Cruz is also ahead in two of the three Wisconsin polls taken a few days earlier than this newest poll, for a RealClear Politics average lead of 3-points.
The Marquette poll conducted March 24-28 is the first in the state conducted after the outcry over Trump’s attack on Cruz’s wife Heidi. It would not reflect Tuesday’s endorsement of Cruz by Gov. Scott Walker — or Trump’s criticism of the popular governor. It also would not reflect any possible blowback from Tuesday’s arrest of Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski for “simple battery” of a female reporter — or Trump’s insistence on blaming the alleged victim.
According to the poll, 70.2% of Wisconsin voters now hold an unfavorable view of Donald Trump. In a head-to-head with Hillary Clinton, Trump loses to her by over 11 points, while Cruz and Clinton are locked in statistical tie. The poll suggests that Kasich would beat Clinton in the state by nine points.
While Hillary might have an easy go of the Donald, she has her hands full in Wisconsin with Bernie Sanders. The Marquette Law School poll shows Sanders up on Clinton 49.2% to 44.9%, with 5.5% still undecided.
Wisconsin voters go to the polls next Tuesday, April 5, with 42 delegates at stake for the Republicans and 86 for the Democrats.