GOP's Ron Johnson Takes 7-Point Lead in Senate Race Against Russ Feingold

Republican Ron Johnson, a plastics manufacturer new to politics, has followed up his capture of the GOP Senate nomination by moving out to a 51 percent to 44 percent lead over three-term Democratic Sen. Russ Feingold, according to a Rasmussen Reports poll conducted Sept. 15. One percent prefer some other candidate and 4 percent are undecided. The margin of error is 4 points.

In Rasmussen's previous six match-ups between the pair, they had never been more than 2 points apart.

Johnson is seen favorably by 61 percent of voters and unfavorably by 33 percent with 5 percent not sure. Feingold is seen favorably by 51 percent and unfavorably by 46 percent, with 3 percent not sure.

Johnson draws 94 percent support from fellow Republicans while Feingold has the backing of 85 percent of Democrats. Johnson leads 58 percent to 30 percent among unaffiliated voters with the rest undecided or preferring someone else. Rasmussen does not provide sample sizes for each group.

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