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Clean Sweep for the Wisconsin GOP – 2010 Election Summary

The Republican wave that hit the country was certainly evident in Wisconsin ––– the only state in the country where Republicans flipped a US senate seat, the Governor’s Office and both houses of the Legislature. Republicans managed a clean sweep on November 2nd, with Scott Walker defeating Tom Barrett for Governor and the GOP taking control of both the Assembly and Senate. 2011 will mark the first time since the 1995-96 legislative session that Republicans will control the Assembly, Senate, and the Governor’s Office.

GOP candidates won key Assembly races throughout the state to regain control of the chamber just two years after the Democrats obtained the majority. Based on initial results, the Assembly will hold a 60-38-1 advantage in the upcoming legislative session. (A recount is pending in the 93^rd Assembly District where Representative Jeff Smith (D-Eau Claire) trails Republican challenger Warren Petryk by 71 votes. A recount was held in the 68^th Assembly District where Republican challenger held on to defeat incumbent Representative Kristen Dexter (D by 78 votes.) In 2009-10, Democrats held a 51-46-2 advantage.

Among the more surprising wins by the Republicans was a victory over Assembly Speaker Mike Sheridan (D-Janesville), who lost to Republican Joe Knilans. Another unexpected win by the GOP was a victory by Republican challenger Scott Krug over longtime Democratic Assemblyman Marlin Schneider in the 72^nd legislative district, which encompasses the Wisconsin Rapids area.

Republicans also knocked off Democratic incumbents Jim Soletski (D-Green Bay), Ted Zigmunt (D-Francis Creek), Phil Garthwaite (D-Dickeyville), Kim Hixson (D-Whitewater), Ann Hraychuck (D-Balsam Lake), and Terry Van Akkerren (D-Sheboygan).

In total, Republicans defeated 10 incumbent Democrats seeking reelection, won 4 open seats previously held by Democrats and picked up the 67^th Assembly District previously held by Independent Jeff Wood. Republicans also held all of their incumbent and open seats with the exception of the 80^th Assembly District, which was vacated by Rep. Brett Davis who ran in the GOP Primary for Lieutenant Governor. Republicans picked up Assembly seats of retiring Reps. Steve Hilgenberg (D-Dodgeville), Chuck Benedict (D-Beloit), Tom Nelson (D-Kaukauna) and Mary Hubler (D-Rice Lake). 

In the Senate, Republicans were victorious in key races, handing the GOP control for the first time since the 2005-06 legislative session. Senate Majority Leader Russ Decker (D-Weston) lost to challenger Pam Galloway, Rep. Leah Vukmir (R) defeated incumbent Democratic Senator Jim Sullivan in the 5^th Senate District, which encompasses Wauwatosa. Republican Van Wanggaard defeated incumbent Democratic Senator John Lehman in the 21^st District, in Racine. Republican Terry Moulton defeated Democratic incumbent Pat Kreitlow (D-Chippewa Falls). Republicans will have a 19-14 majority heading into the 2011-12 session. (One recount pending with Senator Kathleen Vinehout (D-Alma) leading Republican challenger Ed Thompson by 352 votes)

In the race for Attorney General, incumbent J.B. Van Hollen (R) won easily, defeating his Democratic opponent Scott Hassett (D).

At the federal level, the news of the night was political newcomer Republican Ron Johnson’s victory over longtime U.S. Senator Russ Feingold. Although Johnson and a number of other Republican Senators were victorious throughout the country, it was not enough for the GOP to retake control of the U.S. Senate. As expected, Republicans made huge gains in the U.S. House of Representatives, handing the GOP control.

In the key Wisconsin Congressional races, Republican Sean Duffy beat State Senator Julie Lassa (D-Stevens Point) to fill the seat of retiring U.S. Representative Dave Obey in the 7^th Congressional District. Reid Ribble (R) defeated incumbent U.S. Rep. Steve Kagen (D) in the 8^th Congressional District. Incumbent Ron Kind (D) held off a challenge by State Senator Dan Kapanke (R) in the 3^rd Congressional District. The other incumbents – Rep. Paul Ryan (R), Tammy Baldwin (D), Tom Petri (R), Jim Sensenbrenner (R), and Gwen Moore (D) – easily defeated their opponents.

Overwhelming Citizen Support for Transportation Fund Integrity

The Transportation Development Association of Wisconsin, joined by APW and 36 other coalition partners, launched an initiative in mid-May to protect the segregated transportation fund against diversions for other purposes. The Coalition effort was successful in promoting county level advisory referendums on the ballot in 54 counties. The referendum calls for an end to the budget practice of lapsing or diverting transportation user fees to the general fund. (Over the last three state budgets, roughly $600 million has been diverted from the segregated transportation fund.)

On November 2^nd, the voters overwhelmingly supported the referendum, which passed in each of the 53 counties who had the question on the general election ballot. (Racine County placed the referendum on the primary ballot in September and endorsed it by a two-to-one margin). The highest margin of support was registered in Dodge County (85%) with the lowest margin of support at 61% in Trempealeau County. Of the remaining 18 counties ––– 9 county boards approved the measure without placing it on the ballot and 9 county boards did not act on the proposed referendum.  

The Finding Forward Coalition now hopes to parlay this strong advisory vote into positive action in the next session of the Legislature through adoption of a binding state constitutional amendment. In order to amend the constitution, the Legislature must pass identical resolutions in two successive sessions before a constitutional amendment can be placed on the ballot for adoption by statewide voters.  In the meantime, there is reason for optimism that this coming budget will not be a repeat of prior raids on the transportation fund as Governor-elect Scott Walker has indicated his support for preserving the integrity of the segregated fund.