In the recent elections in Wisconsin, Democrats made notable gains in the state Senate, effectively narrowing the Republican majority without flipping control of either legislative chamber. A primary highlight was the victory of Democratic challenger Jodi Habush Sinykin over incumbent Republican Senator Duey Stroebel in the 8th Senate District. Though the Associated Press had not officially called the race by early Wednesday afternoon, Sinykin confidently declared her victory in a contest noted for being the most expensive legislative race in state history. Senate Democratic Leader Dianne Hesselbein commended Sinykin’s effective campaign, which was fueled by her deep community ties and her professional background as an attorney.
Alongside Sinykin’s victory, Democrats also secured wins in the 14th Senate District where Sarah Keyeski defeated Republican Joan Ballweg, as well as in the 30th Senate District with Jamie Wall overcoming Jim Rafter. Kristin Alfheim added to the Democratic success by winning in the 18th Senate District against Republican Anthony Phillips. During the election, Republicans held a previous majority of 22-10 with one vacancy in the Senate. If these Democratic victories are confirmed, the GOP’s majority would dwindle to 18-15, alongside losing its two-thirds supermajority, which it has historically utilized to override vetoes from Democratic Governor Tony Evers.
Despite the Democratic successes in the Senate, they fell short in their ambitious bid to gain control of the Assembly. As of early Wednesday afternoon, the Associated Press reported that Republicans had secured 52 races to the Democrats’ 44, with some races still being finalized. The Republican Party maintained its majority in the Assembly, which had previously stood at 64-35. The Democrats had hoped the recent redistricting would create more competitive districts and provide them an opportunity to take control of the Assembly for the first time in over a decade.
Targeting these new districts led to heavy campaign expenditures, especially highlighted in the competitive 8th Senate District, where spending exceeded $3 million. This record level of spending for a Wisconsin legislative race underscored the competitive nature of the newly drawn districts, drawing attention from both parties. Republican Party of Wisconsin chairman Brian Schimming expressed satisfaction with the results, emphasizing their continued control in the Legislature and suggesting that the Democrats had missed their opportunity to make substantial gains.
The outcome of the closely watched legislative races across Wisconsin demonstrated mixed results for Democrats. In notable contests, Representative Robyn Vining, a Democrat, defeated fellow state Rep. Tom Michalski in the 13th Assembly District, while Jessie Rodriguez narrowly retained his seat in the 21st Assembly District against David Marstellar. Meanwhile, the 26th Assembly District saw Joe Sheehan, a Democrat, emerge victorious over Republican Amy Binsfeld, showcasing that Democrats could still have successes even in areas where Republicans had previously dominated.
In summary, while the Democrats successfully narrowed the Republican majority in the Senate and achieved key victories in several districts, they ultimately did not attain the desired control over the Assembly. With upcoming elections on the horizon, including state Supreme Court, attorney general, and gubernatorial races, both parties are likely gearing up for further strategic contests, considering the outcomes and dynamics introduced by this election cycle. The narrative of Democratic efforts in the Legislature remains a tale of resilience amidst an ongoing struggle against the backdrop of Republican gerrymandering that has historically shaped the legislative landscape in Wisconsin.
