MADISON, WI (WTAQ) - A new poll shows that former Governor Tommy Thompson would easily beat Democrat Tammy Baldwin if the U.S. Senate general election was held today.

The latest Rasmussen poll gives Thompson a 50-38 percent over the Democrat Baldwin. Former Congressman Mark Neumann would lead Baldwin 44-42, but that’s within the polls 4.5 percent margin of error – so actually, Neumann is in a statistical dead heat.

The poll says Baldwin – a House Democrat from Madison – would lead Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald 45-41, but that’s also within the margin of error.

Rasmussen did not measure support for the fourth Republican in the Senate race, hedge fund manager Eric Hovde.

The four GOP candidates are squaring off in an August 14th primary, with the winner to face Baldwin in November for the Senate seat given up by the retiring Herb Kohl. Rasmussen polled 500 likely voters on Wednesday.