On July 18, Marquette University (MU) Law School released its final poll before the Aug. 14, 2018, primary election in Wisconsin. The poll compiled interviews with 800 registered voters in Wisconsin between July 11-15.
The latest poll showed state Sen. Leah Vukmir (R-Brookfield) taking the lead for the first time over her opponent Kevin Nicholson in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate, 34 percent to 32 percent. 30 percent of voters still do not know who they will vote for in the primary.
The winner of the Vukmir-Nicholson race will face incumbent U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin in the general. Currently, 41 percent of voters have a favorable opinion of Baldwin, while 40 percent have an unfavorable opinion. In the June poll, 41 percent of voters viewed Baldwin as favorable and 43 percent viewed her as unfavorable.
The poll showed state Superintendent Tony Evers maintaining a commanding lead in the Democratic primary for governor at 31 percent. Following Evers is Mahlon Mitchell and state Sen. Kathleen Vinehout (D-Alma) both at 6 percent, Matt Flynn at 5 percent, Paul Soglin at 4 percent, and Mike McCabe and Kelda Roys both at 3 percent. Despite being at the lower end of the poll, Roys is leading the Democratic primary candidates in fundraising. 38 percent of voters still do not know who they will vote for in the primary.
The winner of the Democratic primary will face current Gov. Scott Walker in the November general. Walker’s approval ratings in July changed little from the June poll. He currently sits at 47 percent approval, 45 percent disapproval.
While the June poll showed head-to-head results in the U.S. Senate and gubernatorial primaries, the July poll did not re-ask those questions.
Voter approval of President Donald Trump decreased by two points, from 44 percent in June to 42 percent in July. Trump has maintained an average approval rating of 43 percent approval and 50 percent disapproval all of 2018.