Government Relations

Legislative Update

November 6, 2008

Legislative Update Archive | Search Legislative Update

In this issue:

STATE UPDATE

State Election Review

► State Legislative Elections
Democrats in the State Senate will maintain an 18-15 majority next session as a result of Tuesday’s election.  In the Assembly, Democrats picked up five seats, taking a 52-46-1 majority – their first majority in 14 years, and the first time that Democrats have controlled both houses of the legislature and the Governor’s office since 1986. 

In the Senate, Democrats successfully defended the 12th Senate District seat vacated by Democrat Roger Breske. Former State Representative and Tourism Secretary Jim Holperin defeated Republican Tom Tiffany.  Republican Alberta Darling defended her 8th Senate District seat against Democratic Representative challenger Sheldon Wasserman. It appears Republicans successfully defended the 18th Senate District seat, vacated by Republican Carol Roessler, though a recount is expected.  In that race, Republican Randy Hopper defeated Democrat Jessica King by 180 votes out of about 83,000 total votes cast.  

In the Assembly, Democrats defeated three Republican incumbents: Ted Zigmunt beat Frank Lasee in the 2nd District, Fred Clark beat “Doc” J. A. Hines in the 42nd District, and Kristen Dexter beat Terry Moulton in the 68th District. Democrats also picked up two open seats formerly held by Republicans with Democrat Penny Bernard Schaber winning the 57th district seat vacated by Steve Wieckert, and Democrat Mark Radcliffe winning the 92nd District seat vacated by Terry Musser.

Jeff Wood won election to the Assembly as an Independent, after serving previously as a Republican.

Several races were decided by very small margins, and could be recounted.  The 47th Assembly District race, an open seat formerly held by Representative Hahn, was decided in favor of Republican Keith Ripp by 28 votes over Democrat Trish O’Neil.  A recount has already been announced in that race.  In addition, less than 200 votes decided the races for Independent Jeff Wood (67th) and incumbent Republican Dan Meyer (34th).

For more detailed information about the elections, see Wispolitics Election Coverage Blog  or the Wheeler Report’s Assembly Results or the Wheeler Report’s Senate Results.     

► Leadership Elections
Senate Republicans will caucus today to elect leadership positions and no major changes are expected.  Senate Democrats initially scheduled their caucus for today, but have delayed meeting until results from the 18th Senate District recount are known. 

 The Assembly Republicans will caucus next Monday, November 10th.  Current Speaker Mike Huebsch has announced that he will not seek the minority leader position, and current Assembly Majority leader Jeff Fitzgerald has announced he will run for minority leader. 

The Assembly Democrats will caucus next week on Wednesday, November 12th.  Several legislators have already announced their intentions to run for leadership positions.  Representatives Pedro Colon, Fred Kessler, Jon Richards and Mike Sheridan are seeking the Speaker’s position. Committee structures and membership, including committee chair appointments, will be determined following the leadership elections.

 

FEDERAL UPDATE

Federal Election Review

► National Elections
Articles about the national election from the respected Congressional Quarterly may be of interest:

In each of Wisconsin’s eight Congressional districts, incumbent candidates retained their seats, and the makeup of the state delegation will not change. The narrowest margin of victory was in the 8th Congressional District where incumbent Democrat Steve Kagen beat Republican John Gard, 54% to 46%. 

For full election results for each of Wisconsin’s House races, see news coverage by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and the Associated Press.

QUICK LINKS

Web Resources

Contact

State Relations: 

Federal Relations:

UW System Institutional:

Legislative Update Archive | Search Legislative Update