WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - While recent polls have shown Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker performing well in potential Republican primaries, the results of a new Marquette Law School survey suggest that his presidential ambitions may be weighing on his approval rating in his home state.
The poll showed that 56 percent of Wisconsin voters disapprove of how Walker is handling his job as governor, while 41 percent approve of his job performance.
The results reflect a reversal from before Walker's re-election last year, when 49 percent approved of his job performance and 47 percent disapproved.
Concerns about Walker's ability to run for president and still handle his duties as governor may be weighing on his approval rating.
The poll showed that 67 percent of Wisconsin voters think that a governor can't do both at the same time, while just 29 percent think he can.
Additionally, 62 percent of Wisconsin voters said they do not want to see Walker run for president compared to 34 percent that would like to see him run.
Walker has not officially announced a campaign for president but a number of recent polls have shown him at the top of the list of potential Republican candidates along with former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush.
In a potential general election matchup against Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton, the poll showed Clinton with a substantial 52 percent to 40 percent lead over Walker among Wisconsin voters.
Wisconsin has voted for the Democratic presidential candidate in each of the past seven elections, although Walker's three election victories in four years have some describing it as a battleground state.
In a look at a possible race for the Senate in 2016, the poll showed former Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis., leading incumbent Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., by 54 percent to 38 percent.
'Election matchups at this point show us where candidates are lining up at the start of the race,' said Charles Franklin, professor of law and public policy and director of the Marquette Law School Poll.
'The eventual outcome, of course, depends on how they actually run the course,' he added. 'Having an early picture allows us to measure how the campaign changes voters' preferences over time.'
The Marquette Law School survey of 803 registered voters was conducted April 7th through 10th and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points.
(Photo Credit: Gage Skidmore)
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