The Waupaca County Republican Party has released the results of its 2010 straw poll taken at the Waupaca County Fair in Weyauwega.
The partisan primary will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 14. Republicans have contested races at the county, state and federal levels.
Waupaca County will see a primary for sheriff this month. Incumbent Sheriff Brad Hardel received 71 percent of the straw poll votes. He is being challenged by Manawa Police Chief David Walker, who received 29 percent.
The fall elections will also see several offices that are not being opposed in the Republican primary; State Rep. Kevin Petersen, County Clerk of Courts Terrie Tews-Liebe and County Coroner Barry Tomaras.
In the race for governor, Scott Walker took the lead, with 67 percent of the votes, followed by Mark Neumann with 29 percent. Scott Paterick and John Schiess fell behind with 3 percent and 1 percent, respectively.
The office of lieutenant governor showed a closer match-up, with Robert Lorge leading with 31 percent, Rebecca Kleefisch at 24 percent, Dave Ross at 23 percent, Brett Davis at 20 percent and Nick Voegeli showing 2 percent support.
The poll for state treasurer was won by Scott Feldt with 74 percent of the vote, followed by Kurt Schuyller with 26 percent.
In the primary for U.S. Senate, Ron Johnson easily won the poll with 90 percent of the vote. David Westlake came in a distant second with 10 percent. The winner in the primary will face Sen. Russ Feingold, the Democratic incumbent, in November.
The hotly contested race for the 8th Congressional District saw Reid Ribble ahead with 47 percent of the straw poll vote, Roger Roth with 31 percent and Terri McCormick with 22 percent. The three candidates are vying for the seat held by Rep. Steve Kagen, a two-term Democrat, .
County GOP Chairwoman Jean Hundertmark expects to see a large number of voters at the polls on both Sept. 14 and Nov. 2.
“You can tell that the loss of jobs and a bad economy is local and it’s personal,” she said. “Everyone has a family member or a friend who has been affected and there is great concern about the future. People are looking for a new direction.”