Suburban women voters may determine midterms in Wisconsin. Here's what some of them are saying days before voting ends

WAUWATOSA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- With polls showing dead heats in Wisconsin's top races, swaying key voting blocs may be what determines who wins in the midterm elections and suburban women are among those crucial demographics.

On Wednesday, Nov. 2, people gathered at Water Street Brewery in Grafton for a Tim Michels event. Among them is Carrie Rogers from Newburg.

"I'm so happy to be here it was my first rally," Rogers told CBS 58.

Suburban women voters like Rogers are among the major targets for campaigns as polling trends have shown they may be among votes candidates can add to their columns. Their top concerns are pushing the women at the Michels event to vote Republican.

"Right now, crime, inflation is crazy," Rogers said, listing her top issues. "I have grandbabies in school so education is huge. Honestly, I'm sick and tired with how things have been for the last couple of years."

"Better jobs, more jobs, that's my big thing, 401k, retirement," Melissa Frank of Grafton said of her top voting issues.

"Better education, better police funding," Phyllis Damrow of Newburg said. "I am totally against abortion."

On an unusually warm November day in a Wauwatosa backyard, a different perspective from Democratic-leaning voters.

"It is definitely reproductive rights and just basically saving our democracy," Nydia Mauras-Jones of Wauwatosa said.

"Being able to guarantee a safer, more just future for my kids is what matters most for me," Sunny Iwanski told CBS 58.

Most of these suburban women got more involved in politics in reaction to the election of Donald Trump in 2016. They view Democrats as the better choice.

"Inflation is a concern it is a kitchen table issue," Danielle Lennie said. "I don't feel like if republicans gain Congress, I don't know that that's going to get better so I feel like democracy has to be the first thing so the other things can fall into place."

While these women live away from large cities, they recognize their voting power.

"We need to all stand together and make a change," Carrie Rogers told CBS 58 during her interview at Water Street Brewery in Grafton.

"We are a small minority because we're a small community, but if we do it then we can hopefully make a difference," Melissa Frank said.

"I do feel there's hope, I'm doing everything I can and then some," Lennie said.

"It is kind of a big weight on our shoulders to be part of that demographic that is going to help determine this election and we cannot take it lightly," Mauras-Jones said.