The latest Marquette University Law Poll, which was released on June 22, shows that Wisconsin’s top political races – for governor and the U.S. Senate – are extremely close less than a month and a half from the primary and a little more than four months from the November general election.
In the Republican primary for governor, which will be held on Aug. 9, former Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch is in a dead heat with construction magnate Tim Michels. The poll results showed 27 percent of Republican respondents favored Michels, while 26 percent backed Kleefisch. Other GOP candidates did not break the 10 percent mark.
GOP Governor Primary:
- Michels – 27%
- Kleefisch – 26%
- Businessman Kevin Nicholson – 10%
- State. Rep Tim Ramthun – 3%
- Other or Undecided – 34%
The poll also showed that all GOP candidates trailed incumbent Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers (D) in projected head-to-head general election matchups:
- Evers: 47% — Kleefisch: 43%
- Evers: 48% — Michels: 41%
- Evers: 48% — Nicholson: 40%
- Evers: 51% — Ramthun: 34%
In the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate, the winner of which will face incumbent U.S. Senator Ron Johnson (R), current Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes led the pack with 25 percent support from Democratic poll respondents. Milwaukee Bucks executive Alex Lasry came in at 21percent, while Wisconsin State Treasurer Sarah Godlewski received 9 percent support.
- Barnes – 25%
- Lasry – 21%
- Godlewski – 9%
- Outagamie County Exec Tom Nelson – 7%
- Other or Undecided – 38%
In addition, the poll also showed Barnes, Godlewski, and Nelson all leading Sen. Johnson in potential general election matchups:
- Barnes: 46% — Johnson: 44%
- Godlewski: 45% — Johnson: 43%
- Nelson: 44% — Johnson: 43%
- Johnson: 45% — Lasry: 42%
