Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson seizes lead from Democrat Mandela Barnes: poll

Wisconsin Republican Sen. Ron Johnson has surged ahead of his Democratic challenger, Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, according to a recent poll.

In a Fox poll released Thursday, Johnson enjoyed the support of 48% of registered voters in the state, compared to 44% for Barnes. That figure represents a significant reversal from the same poll's August results.

In that survey, Barnes led his Republican opponent by a margin of 50% to 46%, meaning Johnson has shifted the race eight points in his favor over the course of one month. Some of the change has come due to increased voter familiarity with Barnes. In August, 30% of respondents considered his views to be "too extreme." That figure surged to 44% in September, compared to 43% for Johnson.

Johnson also enjoys an edge in supporter enthusiasm, with 68% of his backers considering themselves "enthusiastic," to just 50% among the Barnes camp.

The race remains close, however, the RealClearPolitics polling average gives Johnson a narrow, 1.8% edge overall. That figure does not include the results of Thursday's Fox poll.

Republicans also saw some momentum in the Wisconsin gubernatorial race, with Trump-backed candidate Tim Michels tying Democratic Gov. Tony Evers with 47% support. The race was 49%-46% in favor of Evers in the same poll last month.