Poll: Crowley with early lead over Tiffany in governor's race

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The first poll of the general election campaign for Wisconsin governor shows Democrat David Crowley with an early lead over Republican Tom Tiffany.

The Badger Battleground Poll found Crowley ahead of Tiffany 48% to 44% in a sample of 500 likely November voters.

The poll was orchestrated by Platform Communications, a conservative firm, which brought in Republican and Democratic advisors to oversee the polling. 

Longtime Democratic strategist Tanya Bjork provided a progressive perspective while Keith Gilkes, former Gov. Scott Walker's chief of staff, served as the poll's GOP advisor.

The survey was taken August 12 and 13, the first two days following a razor-thin primary election that saw Crowley, the Milwaukee County Executive, beat State Rep. Francesca Hong by more than 3,000 votes.

Notably, Crowley led Tiffany, a congressman representing the Northwoods, 42% to 30% among voters describing themselves as independent.

The November election projects to have favorable conditions for Democrats, as 56% of the poll's respondents said they view President Donald Trump unfavorably.

61% said they believe the country is heading in the wrong direction, while 51% said the state is on the wrong track.

The poll also exposed the continuing trend of college graduates largely favoring Democrats while those who did not finish college tend to lean Republican.

College grads backed Crowley 58% to 35%. Those who did not complete college supported Tiffany 52% to 38%.

Crowley is also still unknown to many Wisconsin voters; 31% did not have an opinion of him.

Among those who did have a position on Crowley, 43% view him favorably while 26% view him unfavorably.

Tiffany, as a member of Congress and the presumptive GOP nominee governor for months, is more well-known but also had more detractors in the poll.

38% said they view Tiffany favorably, while 43% view him unfavorably.

In response to the results, Crowley said:

“Wisconsinites agree that Congressman Tom Tiffany and his MAGA agenda are too extreme for the Badger State, Crowley said. That’s why working families across Wisconsin are joining our movement to defeat Congressman Tiffany, who has spent nearly 20 years as a career politician trying to push our state backwards. We will continue meeting folks in every corner of the state and talk about how I will lower costs, fund our public schools, and build a brighter future for our kids and grandkids as the next governor of Wisconsin.” 

On the heels of the poll, Crowley holding an event in Waukesha Sunday morning at the Les Paul performance center in Cutler Park.

Meanwhile, in response to the poll results Tiffany shared this statement with CBS 58 News:

“I’m focused on lowering taxes, cutting costs, and letting Wisconsin families keep more of their hard-earned money, said Tom Tiffany. "David Crowley nearly doubled Milwaukee County’s sales tax, raised property taxes, and oversaw spending that has left the county facing massive deficits. The more voters see his record, the clearer the choice becomes: he failed Milwaukee County, and we cannot let him fail Wisconsin,” 

Platform is not working on any partisan campaigns.