Bernie Sanders wins shocking 41 percent of Wisconsin straw poll vote

At the Wisconsin Democratic Party convention this weekend, Hillary Clinton gained 49 percent of support in a straw poll vote about the 2016 presidential race — but with 41 percent, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) wasn't far behind.

Though unofficial, the poll could be indicative of how Wisconsin Democrats will vote in the 2016 election and could influence delegates at future conventions. Clinton also won last year's straw poll of Wisconsin Democrats, though she still failed to win a majority of votes at this weekend's event.

Clinton earned 252 out of the 511 total votes cast, while Sanders received 208. Former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley won 3 percent of votes, as did Vice President Joe Biden. Former Virginia Sen. Jim Webb, meanwhile, garnered 2 percent, and former Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee earned 1 percent.

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Politico notes that Wisconsin's support for Sanders could be due, in part, to Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R). Walker has weakened the state's unions during his time as governor, while Sanders has stopped at various union halls since announcing his bid for the White House. Sanders has also visited Wisconsin multiple times in recent years, and he has delivered speeches at several of the state's annual "Fighting Bob Fest" gatherings.