Wisconsin voters are still deciding who will lead the state next year. A poll conducted by Marquette University Law School between Aug. 12 and Aug. 20 shows Democratic Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley holding a slight advantage over Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany among likely voters. The poll recorded Crowley at 49% support versus Tiffany’s 44%, with 7% of respondents undecided. Among all registered voters, the two candidates were tied at 44% each, while 12% remained undecided. The margin of error for the poll was four percentage points.
Poll background and methodology
The Marquette poll surveyed 891 registered Wisconsin voters. It is the law school’s first poll of the general election season and follows a controversial poll released two weeks before the Democratic primary, which had shown State Rep. Francesca Hong, a self‑described democratic socialist, leading the Democratic field with 38% and Crowley trailing at 7%. After Crowley narrowly won the primary, poll director Charles Franklin noted that Hong’s final primary vote total was close to the earlier prediction, suggesting many undecided voters may have shifted to Crowley in the general election.
Voter enthusiasm and candidate favorability
The new poll also measured enthusiasm among likely voters. A clear partisan gap emerged: 66% of Republicans said they were very enthusiastic about voting in November, compared with 58% of Democrats. Favorability ratings showed Crowley with a 33% favorability score and a 29% unfavorability rating, though 38% of respondents said they had not heard enough about him. Tiffany’s favorability was slightly higher at 39%, but his unfavorability stood at 42%, and 18% of voters indicated they could not form an opinion.
Implications for the upcoming election
While the poll’s margin of error means the race remains statistically close, the slight lead for Crowley could signal growing momentum for the Democratic candidate as the campaign moves into the final stretch. The data also highlights the importance of voter outreach, especially among the sizable undecided bloc. Both campaigns will likely intensify their efforts to persuade these voters before Election Day.
For Wisconsin residents, the poll underscores the competitive nature of the governor’s race and the need for informed participation. As the election approaches, local media, community groups, and faith‑based organizations are expected to play a role in educating voters about each candidate’s platform and vision for the state.
What’s next?
With the primary season behind them, Crowley and Tiffany will shift from intra‑party battles to a head‑to‑head contest that will determine the direction of Wisconsin’s executive branch. Issues such as the state budget, education policy, public safety, and economic development are expected to dominate the campaign dialogue. Voters are encouraged to stay engaged, attend candidate forums, and verify information through reliable sources as the race tightens.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
