Leading up to the Aug. 14 primary, Patch will regularly bring you the latest news from the campaigns for Wisconsin's U.S. Senate seat in play this election cycle.

Thompson Maintains Lead in New Poll; Hovde Gaining

A new Marquette University Law School poll released Wednesday shows that former Gov. Tommy Thompson remains the frontrunner in the Republican primary but newcomer Eric Hovde is coming on strong.

Thompson is in the lead among likely GOP primary voters with 35 percent to Hovde's 23 percent. In June, the same poll had Thompson at 34 percent and Hovde at 14 percent.

GOP candidates Mark Neumann and Scott Fitzgerald each garner 10 percent or less in the latest poll.

Patch's Heather Asiyanbi has a complete story on the poll, including reaction from the candidates.

Hovde Campaign's Tongue-in-Cheek Site to 'Prevent Hovde Victory'

According to the satirical website (www.anybodybuteric.com) run by Hovde's campaign, "W.A.S.T.E." will devote resources to defeating Hovde.

A Wednesday press release from W.A.S.T.E., or the Washington Association of Spenders Terrified of Eric, included a pledge to defeat Hovde and his "fiscal responsibility."

"For years, W.A.S.T.E. has successfully protected the big government, big spending status quo in Washington," W.A.S.T.E. President "Buck Greene" was quoted in the release. "There is no way that we’re going to allow a fiscally responsible, pro-growth Wisconsin businessman to become a citizen legislator."

The site also includes endorsements for Hovde's fellow GOP candidates and Democratic candidate Tammy Baldwin.

• Related: Wisconsin U.S. Senate Race Roundup: July 10

In other (real) Hovde campaign news, Hovde will kick off a "Take Back Washington" bus tour across the state, starting Sunday. Hovde will make 21 stops during the eight-day tour.

"Folks across Wisconsin are looking for a fresh face with new ideas," Hovde said in a press release. "The work of career politicians like Tammy Baldwin in Washington just isn’t cutting it."

Wisconsin GOP 'Struggling' with Baldwin

In a new ad released Wednesday, the Republican Party of Wisconsin blasted Baldwin for her support of the Affordable Care Act, which they call a "disastrous law for middle-class taxpayers." The ad uses footage of Baldwin describing the hardships faced by the middle class.

“Her unwavering support of Obamacare and the largest tax increase this nation has seen in more than two decades shows her true alliance to big government programs and not the people of Wisconsin," a Wisconsin GOP official was quoted in a press release about the ad.

This ad comes after a tiff between Baldwin and Wisconsin Republicans earlier this week over her opposition to Medicare and Social Security cuts in a new ad.

Check back at Patch.com for more updates on the Senate race.