Dems fail on six seat strategy, GOP expands majority in the State Senate
November 5, 2014 0 Comments
MADISON – Republicans retained control of the Wisconsin State Senate on Tuesday as the Democrats failed on a six seat strategy to retain the upper house of the Legislature.
Three key districts that the Democrats were pinning their hopes on were in the 9th District in Manitowoc and Sheboygan, 17th District in Southwest Wisconsin, and the 19th District in the Appleton Area. All three of the seats were open seats as outgoing incumbents Dale Schultz (R-Richland Center) and Mike Ellis (R-Neenah) announced earlier this year that they would retire at the end of their terms in January of 2015. Joe Leibham (R-Sheboygan) did not run for re-election as he attempted to run for the Republican nomination in the 6th Congressional District, but lost on August 12th.
More: Campaign Finance Analysis-Wisconsin State Senate-Pre-Election
At the end, Republicans were victorious in the 9th, 17th, and 19th Senate Districts. County Board Supervisor and Business Owner Devin LeMahieu (R-Oostburg) defeated non-profit fundraiser Martha Laning (D-Sheboygan) 59.8 to 40.2 percent. Despite Laning had an early edge on fundraising, LeMahieu closed the gap in the last five months of the campaign to ensure a victory for a seat that has been held by Republicans since 2002. In the 17th District, State Representative Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green) defeated Attorney and former Doyle Administration staffer Pat Bomhack (D-Spring Green) 55 to 45 percent. The 17th District attracted outside money as groups such as Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce spent money on television ads in the Madison media market. Another seat that the Democrats fell short on was in the 19th Senate District. Penny Bernard Schaber (D-Appleton) lost by 19 percentage points to former State Representative Roger Roth (R-Appleton) 59.9 to 40.1 percent. Roth will replace former Senate President Mike Ellis for a Senate seat representing the Appleton Area.
Republicans also held onto three seats held by incumbents that were targeted by Senate Democrats. Jerry Petrowski (R-Marathon, 29th District), Frank Lasee (R-De Pere, 1st District), and Terry Moulton (R-Chippewa Falls, 23rd District) were targeted by the Democrats earlier this summer. However, the Democrats pulled resources out of those three districts. Lasee, Petrowski, and Moulton all won their seats by large margins over their Democrat opponents.
More: Campaign Finance Analysis-Wisconsin State Senate-After the Statewide Primary
One seat that was unexpectedly close was in the 31st Senate District located in the Eau Claire region. During the night, two-term State Senator Kathleen Vinehout (D-Alma, 31st District), along with Republican Mel Pittman (R-Plum City) traded the lead during the night. At the end, Vinehout won by four percentage points, 52 to 48 percent. Vinehout was once considered a candidate for Wisconsin Governor on the Democratic Party ticket, but her plans were sidelined due to a car accident in Racine County last year.
With all the races counted, Republicans now hold an 18 to 14 edge in the Wisconsin State Senate with one seat expected to be vacant due to State Senator Glenn Grothman winning election to the U.S. Congress on Tuesday. Before the election, the GOP had an 18 to 15 edge. Now the GOP holds a 19-14 edge.
President Matt Walter of the Republican Legislative Campaign Committee said: “It’s clear that conservative values are winning out in Wisconsin. Speaker Vos and Leader Fitzgerald have been steadfast leaders in the Badger State and we are grateful for their support in recruiting strong candidates to run for office. The RLCC looks forward to continuing a great partnership with both chambers in the coming years.”
Senate Minority Leader Chris Larson (D-Milwaukee, 7th District), said: “However, at the end of the day, the truckloads of dark Tea Party money special interests dumped into negative smear tactics, along with the GOP’s gerrymandered districts, proved to have rigged this election too far in the Republicans’ favor. The Wisconsin Republicans’ politics of fear and division has unnecessarily damaged our pride and values as a state, and it will take much effort to repair their extreme actions. To that end, Senate Democrats remain as dedicated as ever to help return balance and fairness to our state.”
Three key districts that the Democrats were pinning their hopes on were in the 9th District in Manitowoc and Sheboygan, 17th District in Southwest Wisconsin, and the 19th District in the Appleton Area. All three of the seats were open seats as outgoing incumbents Dale Schultz (R-Richland Center) and Mike Ellis (R-Neenah) announced earlier this year that they would retire at the end of their terms in January of 2015. Joe Leibham (R-Sheboygan) did not run for re-election as he attempted to run for the Republican nomination in the 6th Congressional District, but lost on August 12th.
More: Campaign Finance Analysis-Wisconsin State Senate-Pre-Election
At the end, Republicans were victorious in the 9th, 17th, and 19th Senate Districts. County Board Supervisor and Business Owner Devin LeMahieu (R-Oostburg) defeated non-profit fundraiser Martha Laning (D-Sheboygan) 59.8 to 40.2 percent. Despite Laning had an early edge on fundraising, LeMahieu closed the gap in the last five months of the campaign to ensure a victory for a seat that has been held by Republicans since 2002. In the 17th District, State Representative Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green) defeated Attorney and former Doyle Administration staffer Pat Bomhack (D-Spring Green) 55 to 45 percent. The 17th District attracted outside money as groups such as Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce spent money on television ads in the Madison media market. Another seat that the Democrats fell short on was in the 19th Senate District. Penny Bernard Schaber (D-Appleton) lost by 19 percentage points to former State Representative Roger Roth (R-Appleton) 59.9 to 40.1 percent. Roth will replace former Senate President Mike Ellis for a Senate seat representing the Appleton Area.
Republicans also held onto three seats held by incumbents that were targeted by Senate Democrats. Jerry Petrowski (R-Marathon, 29th District), Frank Lasee (R-De Pere, 1st District), and Terry Moulton (R-Chippewa Falls, 23rd District) were targeted by the Democrats earlier this summer. However, the Democrats pulled resources out of those three districts. Lasee, Petrowski, and Moulton all won their seats by large margins over their Democrat opponents.
More: Campaign Finance Analysis-Wisconsin State Senate-After the Statewide Primary
One seat that was unexpectedly close was in the 31st Senate District located in the Eau Claire region. During the night, two-term State Senator Kathleen Vinehout (D-Alma, 31st District), along with Republican Mel Pittman (R-Plum City) traded the lead during the night. At the end, Vinehout won by four percentage points, 52 to 48 percent. Vinehout was once considered a candidate for Wisconsin Governor on the Democratic Party ticket, but her plans were sidelined due to a car accident in Racine County last year.
With all the races counted, Republicans now hold an 18 to 14 edge in the Wisconsin State Senate with one seat expected to be vacant due to State Senator Glenn Grothman winning election to the U.S. Congress on Tuesday. Before the election, the GOP had an 18 to 15 edge. Now the GOP holds a 19-14 edge.
President Matt Walter of the Republican Legislative Campaign Committee said: “It’s clear that conservative values are winning out in Wisconsin. Speaker Vos and Leader Fitzgerald have been steadfast leaders in the Badger State and we are grateful for their support in recruiting strong candidates to run for office. The RLCC looks forward to continuing a great partnership with both chambers in the coming years.”
Senate Minority Leader Chris Larson (D-Milwaukee, 7th District), said: “However, at the end of the day, the truckloads of dark Tea Party money special interests dumped into negative smear tactics, along with the GOP’s gerrymandered districts, proved to have rigged this election too far in the Republicans’ favor. The Wisconsin Republicans’ politics of fear and division has unnecessarily damaged our pride and values as a state, and it will take much effort to repair their extreme actions. To that end, Senate Democrats remain as dedicated as ever to help return balance and fairness to our state.”
