2017 - 2018
Legislative Update for Wisconsin Technical Colleges

November 7, 2018

 

2018 Election Results

Amid record turnout for a midterm election, Democratic challenger and State Superintendent Tony Evers has defeated Republican incumbent Scott Walker by a margin of 1.2 percentage points (1,324,646 votes to 1,293,799) in the race for governor. The margin is just outside the 1% threshold to be eligible for a recount under Wisconsin law. Walker waited to concede the race until Wednesday afternoon. Evers won by huge margins in Dane and Milwaukee counties, but this time Walker was unable to pile up offsetting margins in the areas outside the two largest cities. In general, margins were much closer in rural areas of Wisconsin compared with Walker’s prior statewide victories, and Evers flipped Kenosha, Grant, and Richland counties to the Democratic column.

With one election still too close to call in the 14th Assembly District, Assembly Republicans have not lost a single seat in the Assembly. While the majority was expected to retain control of that chamber, it was widely expected that at least a handful of seats might change hands. As of now, the partisan split remains 64-35.

In the state Senate, Republicans gained one seat, flipping the 1st District back to GOP control after the district elected Democrat Caleb Frostman in a special election over the summer. Current Republican Assembly Representative Andre Jacque defeated Frostman, moving the Senate count back to 19-14.

Incumbent US Senator Tammy Baldwin was elected to a second term over Republican challenger Leah Vukmir, 55-45%. Wisconsin’s incumbent House delegation was unchanged. Republican Bryan Steil will take over for retiring Paul Ryan in the 1st Congressional District, defeating Democrat Randy Bryce for the open seat.

Democrat Josh Kaul appears to have defeated incumbent Brad Schimel for Wisconsin Attorney General by around 20,000 votes, although the Associated Press has yet to call the race as of Wednesday.

The newly elected members of the Wisconsin Legislature will be sworn in on January 7, 2019, marking the first day of the 2019-2020 Legislative Session.