Results even amaze state’s Assembly leader
By Ed Nadolski
Editor in Chief
Consider state Assembly Speaker Robin Vos – a seasoned veteran in the halls of the state capitol and political junkie since grade school – among those who were amazed by the results of Tuesday’s election.
“It’s a fantastic night,” the Republican said Tuesday night in the midst of celebrating his own victory for the 63rd District Assembly seat he’s held since 2004.
It was a poll-defying Republican wave that swept Donald Trump into the White House and returned Ron Johnson to his U.S. Senate seat that most fascinated Vos.
“I think what we can take away from this is people are frustrated with what’s going on in Washington and expressed that at polls all across the country,” he said.
However, Vos said it was a different sentiment in Wisconsin where voters returned all the incumbent Republicans to their Assembly seats, thus preserving the party’s majority.
“I think the message in Wisconsin is people like the direction the state is headed,” he said. “People are pleased with our direction, which is focusing on solutions.”
Facing Democrat Andy Mitchell, a special education teacher from Burlington, for the second straight time, Vos rolled to victory. The Assembly Speaker garnered 64 percent of the vote, outpolling Mitchell 18,771 to 10,487 in the district that includes most of Racine County outside of the City of Racine.
Vos’ closest political ally in Washington, House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Janesville, also rolled to an easy victory as anticipated. He had overwhelming support in Kenosha, Racine and Walworth counties in his race against relative unknown Democrat Ryan Solen, of Mount Pleasant.
In Racine County Ryan enjoyed a comfortable margin of victory, garnering 57,536 votes to 30,849 for Solen.
During his victory speech in Janesville, Ryan said: “You know by some accounts – I was just sitting here watching the polls – by some accounts, this could be a really good night for America. This could be a good night for us.”
In Racine County, Republican Trump outpolled Democrat Hillary Clinton 46,620 to 42,502. In the U.S. Senate race in Wisconsin, incumbent Republican Johnson’s numbers in Racine County were 49,680 to 41,600 for Democrat Russ Feingold.
As unexpected as the national numbers were, Vos offered a conciliatory tone in summing up the events of Election Day:
“It’s a good night for (Republicans), but tomorrow we all have to go to work together.”
August wins by 2-1 margin
Tyler August (R-Lake Geneva) will keep his seat in the State Assembly after beating his opponent by a 2-1 margin on Tuesday night.
August was challenged by newcomer Christine Welcher (D-East Troy) for the 32nd State Assembly District. He was named the Speaker Pro Tempore in 2015 and this will be his fourth term.
According to unofficial results from Walworth, Racine and Kenosha counties, August had 63 percent of the vote with 16,861 and Welcher garnered 37 percent of the vote with 10,088.
The district includes the Bohners Lake area and the Town of Spring Prairie.
Kerkman wins another term in 61st
Republican State Representative to the 61st Assembly District Samantha Kerkman defeated challenger Amee Janus to secure her eighth consecutive re-election bid.
The 61st district encompasses most of Western Kenosha County, including the Town of Paris area immediately south of Union Grove.
Of the 29,466 ballots cast in 22 precincts, Kerkman received 19,622 votes compared to Janus’ 9,792 votes, with 52 write-in votes.
Kerkman, who has served the district since 2000, was the Co-Chair of Joint Committee on Audit, Ways and Means, Judiciary and Ethics along with Children and Families in the 2015-16 session.
In the pre-election questionnaire, Kerkman states she plans o continue working towards the creation of new jobs in the area, adding to the 6,000 developed within the last 36 months and noted her experience.
“I will continue to work to expand our business friendly climate to continue grow our local and state economy,” Kerkman stated.
Wichgers, Craig win without opposition
In the 83rd Assembly District, Republican Chuck Wichgers ran unopposed in the General Election as the “Moral Conservative for State Assembly.”
The 83rd includes parts or all of Muskego, East Troy, Waterford, Big Bend and Hales Corners in Racine, Walworth and Milwaukee counties.
The man Wichgers replaced, Dave Craig, was also elected without opposition to the District 28 state Senate seat vacated by Mary Lazich. Craig, a Republican from the Town of Vernon, served five years in the Assembly before seeking the Senate seat.
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