Marquette poll: Democrats still mostly undecided as primary nears
MILWAUKEE - The results of the latest Marquette University Law School poll, conducted before a recent shakeup in Wisconsin's governor race, were released Wednesday. Here's what it found.
Rodriguez out, Crowley back in
Timeline:
The latest survey was conducted from July 8–16. The Democratic field of candidates experienced a series of shake-ups just before, during and just after the poll was conducted:
- July 8: Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley suspends campaign, endorses Rodriguez
- July 14: Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez fires campaign manager over finance report errors
- July 17: Rodriguez suspends campaign
- July 18: Crowley reenters race with Gov. Tony Evers' endorsement
Crowley had suspended his campaign before the poll was conducted, and reentered after the poll was completed, so he was not included in the poll. Rodriguez's campaign suspension came in the middle of polling.
Democrats still mostly undecided
By the numbers:
Forty-five percent of Democratic primary voters remain undecided, the poll found. Francesca Hong (26%) leads the evolving field of candidates. The next closest candidates in the poll were Mandela Barnes (15%) and Sara Rodriguez (11%), who suspended her campaign while the poll was being conducted.
The previous poll, the results of which were released in March, also had Hong leading the field – but at 14%. Barnes was also the next closest candidate in that poll.
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Dig deeper:
The survey asked voters who their second choice would be in the Democratic primary. Among Rodriguez supporters, Hong was the leading second choice. Rodriguez herself was the most common second choice among those polled.
U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, who has received the Republican Party of Wisconsin's endorsement, leads Andy Manske 67% to 2%. With 30% still undecided in the GOP primary, the poll said it's an indication the primaries are not at the center of attention for voters in either party.
On the issues
By the numbers:
The Marquette poll asked voters about a variety of issues affecting Wisconsin. The top three issues remain the same compared to the March poll: inflation/cost of living, illegal immigration/border security and health insurance.
Most important issue to Wisconsin voters
- Inflation and the cost of living: 42%
- Illegal immigration and border security: 13%
- Health insurance: 9%
- Property taxes: 7%
- Jobs and the economy: 7%
Five percent of those surveyed said data centers, which have been a source of controversy and tension in communities across the state, was the most important issue for them. Abortion policy was the most important issue for 4% of those surveyed.
Wisconsin governor race: Democrats forum, Republican responds
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Methodology
Dig deeper:
The Marquette University School provided the following methodology for the poll:
This survey was conducted July 8-16, 2026, interviewing 838 Wisconsin registered voters, with a margin of error of +/-4.5 percentage points. For likely voters, the sample size is 695, with a margin of error of +/-4.9 percentage points. The sample size for Republican primary voters is 399, with a margin of error of +/-6.5 percentage points. The sample size for Democratic primary voters is 430, with a margin of error of +/-6.1 percentage points.
Next election
What's next:
The Marquette University Law School will release results from a statewide poll of Democratic primary voters next Wednesday, July 29.
Wisconsin's partisan primaries are on Tuesday, Aug. 11. The general election is on Tuesday, Nov. 3.
The Source: Information in this story is from the Marquette University Law School poll and prior coverage of the election.