MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Republicans hoping to win a Wisconsin Senate seat in Democratic hands for more than 50 years are deciding which of four candidates they want to move forward to the general election.
Tuesday's primary features former Gov. Tommy Thompson, state Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald, former U.S. Rep. Mark Neumann and political newcomer, businessman Eric Hovde.
The winner will advance to face U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin in November. She is the only Democrat running.
Thompson is the most familiar candidate, having been in public life for nearly 50 years including 14 as governor. Neumann is the backing of many in the tea party movement while Hovde casts himself as the businessman outsider best positioned to tackle the federal debt. Fitzgerald ties himself closely to Gov. Scott Walker.
Polls are open now until 8 p.m.
| Approve: | 48.5% |
| Disapprove: | 47.4% |
| Spread: | +1.1% |
| Republican: | 39.8% |
| Democrat: | 43.5% |
| Spread: | +3.7% |
| Right Direction: | 31.7% |
| Wrong Track: | 59.2% |
| Spread: | -27.5% |
| Approve: | 14.8% |
| Disapprove: | 75.2% |
| Spread: | -60.4% |
