MADISON, WI (WTAQ) - July’s preliminary unemployment rate went up for a third straight month in Wisconsin. 

The seasonally adjusted jobless rate was 7.8%, up two-tenths of a percent from June. 

The numbers do not reflect well for Gov. Walker’s pledge to create 250,000 jobs in the state by the end of his term.  The state has added 28,700 since the beginning of his term. 

An estimated 239,000 Wisconsinites are unemployed.

An estimated 12,500 people lost their jobs over the past month in the private sector, a complete opposite of the jobs created in June. 

Local government added the most jobs with 4,100. In June, state government cut 3,200 jobs.  Other sectors with big losses, Transportation, Warehouse & Utilities with 3,000, professional and business services went down 3,300, financial and educational and health services saw big declines. 

The national unemployment rate was down in July to 9.1% from 9.2% in June. 

Local unemployment numbers will be released next week.