A new Change Research survey conducted July 17-19, 2026, reveals that State Senator Kelda Roys has surged to 21 percent in the Wisconsin Democratic gubernatorial primary, placing her within the margin of error for the lead.
The poll showed Roys moving within striking distance of Francesca Hong, who leads with 25 percent.
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Former Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes registered 16 percent, while David Crowley and Joel Brennan polled at 9 percent and 6 percent respectively.
Twenty-four percent of primary voters remain undecided.
The survey examined the views of 576 likely Democratic primary voters across Wisconsin and carries a margin of error of plus or minus 4.2 percentage points.
Campaign manager Jasper Bernstein analyzed the internal polling results following the release of the survey data.
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“When voters hear just three sentences about Kelda’s life, record, and plans for Wisconsin, this race becomes a two-way toss-up,” Bernstein said.
“Kelda moves to within a single point of the lead, and our campaign has significantly more cash on hand than the rest of the field to make sure voters hear that message.”
Bernstein noted that the results came before the campaign’s $400,000 Milwaukee media buy had time to reach voters.
“With the strongest bio, most room to grow, and most resources to communicate, Kelda can win this primary,” Bernstein added.
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“This poll makes clear that when Democratic voters learn who Kelda is and what she will do as governor, they choose her.”
