WisPolitics.com: Walker, Ross GOP activists' picks for Gov., Lt. Gov. in 2010

Contact: JR Ross
(608) 669-8418

LA CROSSE -- Scott Walker is the heavy favorite for the 2010 GOP gubernatorial nomination while Dave Ross has the early edge to be his running mate, according to the annual straw poll of activists conducted by WisPolitics.com at the state GOP convention.

Walker, the former legislator from Wauwatosa and current Milwaukee County executive, received 395 of the 423 votes cast by GOP activists asked to indicate their favorite to face Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle in 2010. Walker, who withdrew from the 2006 gubernatorial primary to allow Mark Green a clear path to the party nomination, was well ahead of expected candidate Mark Neumann, the homebuilder and former congressman who received 25 votes.

In last year's WisPolitics.com straw poll, state GOP activists also favored Walker for governor.

Ross, the mayor of Superior, received 147 votes from activists asked to indicate their preference for lieutenant governor in next year's primary. Ross, who's exploring a bid, edged state Sen. Glenn Grothman of West Bend, who received 109 votes. Grothman's name has been floated as a possible candidate for the office, but he hasn't said for sure if he'll consider a bid.

In this year's WisPolitics straw poll at the Wisconsin Republican Party convention in La Crosse, 423 valid ballots were cast by convention delegates, alternates and official guests. There were more than 700 official attendees at the convention, according to state GOP officials.

Only one vote per person was allowed, and only ballots with one candidate marked in each category were counted. This poll in no way was endorsed by the Republican Party of Wisconsin.

WisPolitics, since it was launched in 2000, has conducted straw polls at state Republican and Democratic party conventions and considers them but one measure of a candidate's popularity and viability.

Paper balloting was conducted Friday and Saturday at this year's convention. WisPolitics.com also will conduct a straw poll at the state Democratic Party convention next month.

WisPolitics.com is an independent non-partisan political news service based in Madison, Wis. WisPolitics also operates these companion sites: WisOpinion.com, WisBusiness.com and IowaPolitics.com.

2009 GOP CONVENTION STRAW POLL QUESTIONS, RESULTS
423 total ballots cast

1) If a 2010 primary for governor were being held today, which Republican would you choose to be the party's nominee?

--Scott Walker, 395
--Mark Neumann, 25
--Mark Todd, 0

Write-ins, 3
--Dave Ross, John Schiess and J.B. Van Hollen each received one vote.

2) If a 2010 primary for lieutenant governor were being held today, which Republican would you choose to be the party's nominee?

--Dave Ross, 147
--Glenn Grothman, 109
--Jack Voight, 76
--Kitty Rhoades, 65
--Nick Voegeli, 3

Write-ins: 23 total
--Jean Hundertmark led with 4.