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Nov. 10, 2006

Democrat Gov. Jim Doyle defeated Republican Mark Green (53%-45%) to secure his second term as Wisconsin’s chief executive. In the race for attorney general, Republican JB Van Hollen narrowly defeated his opponent, Kathleen Falk by about 9,000 votes, roughly one half a percentage point. Falk has stated she will await official results before deciding on requesting a statewide recount. 

In another tight state-wide contest, Democrat Dawn Marie Sass defeated three-term Republican State Treasurer Jack Voight. 

Go to the following Updates for details on the Wisconsin Elections. 

Statewide and Congressional Races

State Senate Races

State Assembly Races

Wisconsin Politics

Nov. 7 General Election Results/Leadership Positions Named
In the November 7 general election, 17 Senate seats and all 99 Assembly seats were on the ballot. Democrats took control of the State Senate by winning an open seat and defeating three incumbent Republicans. The four-seat swing gives Senate Democrats an 18-15 majority in the 2007-08 Session.

In the Assembly, six Republican incumbents have lost their seats (Representatives Freese, Krawczyk, Kreibich, Loeffelholz, Pettis, and Towns) and two Republican open seats (Representatives Underheim and Ward) were filled by Democrats. The preliminary vote total in the 43rd Assembly District was 10,287 for Kim Hixson and 10,278 for Rep. Towns, making a recount likely. There are a total of seventeen new members of the Assembly. The Republicans held on to their majority, but the seven, or possibly, eight seat gain is the first time since 1992 that the Democrats in the Assembly gained seats overall (an eight seat swing in the Assembly narrows the Republican majority to 52 to 47). Leadership elections will be held next week for both the Democrats and Republicans in the Assembly.

Leadership elections were held in the Senate on Nov. 9. Senate Democrats named Judy Robson Majority Leader; Dave Hansen Assistant Majority Leader;  Fred Risser, Senate President. Mark Miller was named Caucus Chair.

Senate Republicans designated Sen. Scott Fitzgerald as Senate Minority Leader, Sen. Joseph Leibham as Assistant Minority Leader, and Sen.Glenn Grothman as Caucus chair.

Federal Developments

Allen Conceds/Pelosi is New Speaker
Sen. George Allen (R-Va.) has conceded to Democrat Jim Webb, a decision that gives Democrats the 51 seats they need to claim a Senate majority. Allen becomes the sixth Republican incumbent to lose his re-election bid and the last Senate candidate to contest the results of Tuesday's midterm elections.

In the House, Democrats won 230 seats and led in two races, while Republicans won 196 seats and led in seven races. If current trends hold, Democrats would have a 232-203 majority - 14 more than the number necessary to hold the barest of majorities in the 435-member chamber. Without losing any seats of their own, Democrats captured 28 GOP-held seats. Nancy Pelosi of California, the top-ranking Democrat in the House, is poised to take over as speaker.

Political News

Fitzgerald, Leibham to lead GOP in Senate: Wisconsin Radio Network, No. 9, 2006.

Doyle says parties will have to cooperate: Wisconsin State Journal, Nov. 9, 2006.

Gard blames loss on national mood: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Nov. 9, 2006.

By the numbers: Eau Clair Leader-Telegram, Nov. 9, 2006.

Kagen eager for first term in Congress: Appleton Post-Crescent, Nov 9, 2006.

Green's fate out of campaign's hands: Appleton Post-Crescent, Nov 9, 2006.

State Dems seize power positions in new Congress: Green Bay Press-Gazette, Nov. 9, 2006.

Parties pick leaders in the state Senate: Manitowoc Herald Times, Nov. 9, 2006.

Election roundup: Van Hollen in as attorney general: Racine Journal Times, Nov. 9, 2006.

Area voters lean Democratic for candidates, conservative on referendums: Marshfield News Herald, Nov. 9, 2006.

Voters brought about change, but more is needed (opinion): La Crosse Tribune, Nov. 9, 2006.

GOP seeks lessons in losses: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Nov. 9, 2006.

On 3rd try, it all adds up: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Nov. 9, 2006.

Power shift will give governor's veto pen a break: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Nov. 9, 2006.

Van Hollen elected top cop: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Nov. 9, 2006.

Voters send mixed signals to Doyle: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Nov. 9, 2006.

A new agenda at the Capitol (opinion): Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Nov. 9, 2006.

Reversal of roles for business, labor: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Nov. 9, 2006.