Here are 10 things you need to know today.
- Romney leads in Wisconsin by 7: Mitt Romney is headed toward victory in Wisconsin Tuesday, according to a new survey from Public Policy Polling, which shows Romney leading the pack with 43 percent to 36 percent for Rick Santorum, 11 percent for Ron Paul and 8 percent for Newt Gingrich.
- Romney way up in Maryland: Mitt Romney is way up in Maryland, according to a new survey from Public Policy Polling. The firm predicts a blowout Tuesday, as Romney now leads with 52 percent to 27 percent for Rick Santorum, 10 percent for Newt Gingrich and 9 percent for Ron Paul.
- Huge gender gap emerging in swing states: A new USA Today/Gallup poll released on Sunday showed that women voters are abandoning the GOP in favor of Barack Obama. Over the course of last month, Obama’s lead among women voters in certain states has grown to a whopping 18 points. Most blame the recent contraception debate for hurting the GOP.
- Women voters prefer Democrats in key Senate races: Polling indicates that the contraception debate hasn’t just hurt Republicans at the presidential level. In key Senate races like Ohio and Florida, Democrats are up in part because of a large gender gap in their favor.
- Pro-Obama super PAC hits Romney on oil: Priorities USA Action has a new ad out Monday morning attacking Mitt Romney for being on the side of “big oil.” The group suggests oil companies are “bankrolling” Romney’s campaign and that he’s benefiting from high gas prices “politically and financially.” The ad will run on TV and online in Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Michigan, New Mexico, Nevada, Ohio and Virginia.
- Brown, Warren in tight race in MA: A Boston Globe survey Sunday showed Sen. Scott Brown (R-MA) leading Democratic challenger Elizabeth Warner by 2 points in Massachusetts, 37 percent to 35 percent. Some information from the crosstabs is revealing: while Brown holds a lead among working class voters — despite Warren’s background as a consumer advocate — Warren is also benefiting from a huge gender gap.
- Mandel under scrutiny for campaign hires: A report by the Dayton Daily News shows that Ohio state treasurer and GOP Senate candidate Josh Mandel hired several campaign staffers who were likely unqualified to work in his office. Mandel has defended each of those hires.
- Santorum campaigns in Wisconsin: A day before Wisconsin’s April 3 primary, Rick Santorum is going all out. He has five campaign stops scheduled in Wisconsin Monday. Santorum will return to Pennsylvania on Tuesday to hold his election night watch party in Mars, Penn.
- Gingrich campaigns in Maryland: Newt Gingrich seems to have given up on Wisconsin. Instead, he’ll spend Monday and Tuesday campaigning in another April 3 primary state: Maryland. Later in the week, in keeping with his scaled-back travel plans, he’ll be in Delaware.
- Romney campaigns in Wisconsin: Romney is campaigning in Wisconsin the day before a likely victory for him in the Badger State. He has events scheduled in Milwaukee and Green Bay.