New Marquette Law School Poll reveals voters undecided about state Supreme Court election, concerned about war in Iran
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The Wisconsin Supreme Court election is a little over two weeks away and a new Marquette Law School Poll shows most Wisconsin voters still haven’t made up their minds about who they’ll vote for. However, polling shows more people are paying attention to that race than they are the governor’s race.
Gathered over the span of a week in March, the Marquette Law School Poll reveals what political races Wisconsinites are paying attention to and the issues they’re concerned about.
Progressive candidate Dane County Judge Chris Taylor is leading the state’s Supreme Court race at 23%.
Appeals court judge Maria Lazar, who is supported by conservatives, is supported at 17%.
But 53% of voters are still undecided.
Interest in the Supreme Court race compared to last year is significantly down when the court became a liberal majority.
“I think big money interests have not seen it as a critical race the way they saw last year’s race,” said Charles Franklin, director of the Marquette Law School Poll.
But this race still has more eyes on it than the governor’s race.
“People have tuned in a little bit to the court race specifically, but they haven’t tuned in at all anymore in on the governor’s race,” said Franklin.
In February, the Marquette Law School Poll found that 8% of voters knew about the governor’s race. A month later, that number remains the same.
In the Republican primary, Congressman Tom Tiffany holds the lead at 40%.
On the Democratic side, the Democratic primary remains crowded with State Rep. Francesca Hong (D-Madison) at 14%. Former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes sits at 11%.
65% of Democratic primary voters say they’re still undecided.
The poll also highlights the issues shaping voter decisions.
75% of voters say they’re concerned about the cost of living.
61% of Wisconsin voters say they disapprove of the war in Iran.
“Inflation remains the number one issue and with gas prices spiking up, there’s no reason to think that issue is going to go away. So, cost of living issues remain very important,” said Franklin.
The Supreme Court election is Tuesday, April 7.