Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton won the Wisconsin Democratic straw poll by just 8 points this weekend, coming in ahead of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders.
More than 500 Democrats participated in the
straw poll at the state's party convention, giving Clinton 49 percent support compared to 41 percent for Sanders, The Nation reported.
Specifically, Clinton drew 252 votes compared to 208 for Sanders.
In third place, Vice President Joe Biden was tied with former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley with 16 votes, or 3 percent of the vote. Former Virginia Sen. Jim Webb got 2 percent with 8 votes, while former Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee received 1 percent with 5 votes.
Sanders' strong finish is a boost for his campaign. He has been a regular visitor to Wisconsin over the years, frequently speaking at the annual "Fighting Bob Fest" assembled by Wisconsin activists, The Nation said.
His strong support of organized labor may have also resonated given the years of union tensions with GOP Gov. Scott Walker.
In the two weeks since Sanders announced his candidacy, he has seen an uptick in the polls against Clinton,
Politico said. He has also drawn large crowds in early nominating states such as Iowa and New Hampshire.
Last year, Clinton won the straw poll while Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren came in second.
Clinton and Sanders did not attend the event but after the vote, a party official read a letter from Clinton vowing to help build the state party and visit Wisconsin soon, Politico reported.