Recent entrant Tim Michels (@michelsforgov) is in a statistical tie with Rebecca Kleefisch (@rebeccakleefisch) in the Republican Primary for Governor to be held August 9th, just 47 days away according to the latest @marquettelawschool Poll.
Michels narrowly edged Kleefisch 27 to 26%, within the margin of error, while candidates Kevin Nicholson at 10% (@kevinmnicholson) and State Representative Timothy Ramthun at 3% (@timothy_ramthun) have clearly fallen behind.
Undecideds or respondents who said they “Don’t know” who they will vote for remain high at 32%. Often times in low turnout elections such as primaries and midterm elections undecided voters simply stay home and don’t vote.
Nicholson, who has been running a “shadow campaign” for the last two years plus - networking with Republican grassroots, donors, and insiders well before officially announcing - seems stalled as a distant third since Michels entered the race this Spring.
Kleefisch, who had been running a nearly identical shadow campaign as Nicholson, was the favorite at the Wisconsin GOP State Convention with over 50% support from delegates. Her strong standing with the most committed Republican grassroots supporters could help her in a typical low turnout Midterm Primary.
However, since Michels has entered the race, Kleefisch’s support has dropped from a peak of 32% in April 2022 down to 26% in the June poll.
Michels, Kleefisch, and Nicholson are all well financed and are expected to run aggressive ad campaigns between now and the August 9th Primary.
Although Michels is the only candidate endorsed by Trump, all four of the candidates are staunch conservatives with very few differences on the issues.
State Rep. Ramthun is the only candidate to fully embrace the so-called “Big Lie” and regularly calls for the decertification of the 2020 Presidential Election which is the most significant difference on the issues between the four candidates. The other three express concern over election irregularities and promote typical conservative election reforms.
The winner of the Republican Primary will face Democratic incumbent Governor Tony Evers who is in his first term.
Comments