2008 Wisconsin Elections Overview - Hamilton Consulting Group, Madison WI

2008 Wisconsin Elections
Updated Nov. 5, 2008

Election Results

State Assembly Results

State Senate Results

U.S. Results

Wisconsin Primary Results

Overview of Races

The balance of power in the State Legislature was at stake in this election. Democrats controlled the State Senate 17-14 with two open/vacant seats. Republicans controlled the State Assembly by a 51-47-1 margin with 11 open seats. Governor Jim Doyle (D) and Republican Attorney General JB Van Hollen were not up for reelection this cycle. All 99 seats in the State Assembly were filled by election this fall as they are every two years.

Wisconsin Assembly: Democrats, 52; Republicans, 46; Independents, 1
(Democrats take control from Republicans)
Wisconsin State Senate: Democrats, 18; Republicans, 15
(No change in partisan split)
U. S. House of Representatives: Incumbents, 8; Challengers, 0.

For further information on the 2008 Election, please contact Andy Engel at the Hamilton Consulting Group.

November Elections by the Numbers

State Assembly

All 99 seats were up for election this fall
13 Democrats were unopposed: Zepnick, Kessler, Cullen, Grigsby, Richards, Ziegelbauer, Sheridan, Parisi, Hubler, Black, Berceau, Pocan, Schelling
Four Republicans were unopposed: Newcomer, Stone, Gundrum, Pridemore
29 incumbent Democrats opposed
39 incumbent Republicans opposed
11 open seats: Assembly Districts 22, 24, 47, 50, 53, 57, 64, 73, 81, 91, 92
One unopposed Independent

State Senate

16 even numbered districts were up for election this fall.
Two Democrats unopposed: Miller and Taylor
Three Republicans unopposed: Lazich, Cowles, Olsen
Five incumbent Democrats opposed
Four incumbent Republicans opposed
Two open seats – 12th and 18th Senate Districts

Election News

Democrats appear to keep control: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Nov. 5, 2008.

'Wave of change' pushes Democrats into control of state Assembly: Wisconsin State Journal, Nov. 5, 2008.

Democrats see 'trifecta': Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Nov. 5, 2008.

More of Wisconsin votes blue in '08: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Nov. 5, 2008.

Obey defeats challenger Mielke: Ashland Daily Press, Nov. 5, 2008.

Wisconsin could benefit from its support for Obama: Wisconsin State Journal, Nov. 4, 2008.

Control of Wisconsin Assembly up for grabs on election day: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Oct. 31, 2008.

Obama leads fundraising in state, McCain in Green Bay area: Green Bay Press-Gazette, Oct. 31, 2008.

Dan Mielke, Republican challenger for the state's 7th Congressional District seat, says he wants to bring 'fresh blood' to Washington, D.C.: Stevens Point Journal, Oct. 31, 2008.

State Senate candidates Darling, Wasserman wage attacks during debate: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Oct. 30, 2008.

Economy Dominates Legislative Races: Wisconsin State Journal, Oct. 20, 2008.

Gottlieb the better pick (opinion): Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Oct. 30, 2008.

Area candidates talk about tackling poverty: La Crosse Tribune, Oct. 30, 2008.

Tax pledge heats up 8th Senate District race: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Oct. 29, 2008.

Gary Sherman seeks return to Madison as district rep: Ashland Daily Press, Oct. 29, 2008.

Early voting numbers surpass 2004 presidential race: Green Bay Press-Gazette, Oct. 29, 2008.

Partisan politics the issue in 26th: Sheboygan Press, Oct. 29, 2008.

Congressional candidates discuss foreign trade: Manitowoc Herald Times, Oct. 29, 2008.

As liberals fan out to the suburbs, Democrats flex their newfound muscle in state Assembly races: Madison Capital Times, Oct. 29, 2008.

3rd District candidates stick to message in wide-ranging debate: La Crosse Tribune, Oct. 29,m 2008.

Candidates for 29th Assembly District blur party lines: Eau Claire Leader-Telegram, Oct. 28, 2008.

Record voter turnout expected in Wisconsin: Green Bay Press-Gazette, Oct. 28, 2008.

Kagen, Gard ready for 8th Congressional District rematch: Green Bay Press-Gazette, Oct. 28, 2008.

Rep. Jerry Petrowski 'a good listener': Wausau Daily Herald, Oct. 28, 2008.

Kagen pumps personal money into campaign: Green Bay Press-Gazette, Oct. 28, 2008.

Bailout helps to shape 7th District race: Eau Claire Leader-Telegram, Oct. 27, 2008.

2 take on incumbent Krusick: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Oct. 26, 2008.

Candidates make final push by narrowly targeting voters: Wisconsin State Journal, Oct. 26, 2008.

Suamico's John Gard, Appleton's Steve Kagen differ on several issues: Appleton Post-Crescent, Oct. 22, 2008.

Role of government is at issue: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Oct. 22, 2008.

40th Assembly District race one of opposites: Appleton Post-Crescent, Oct. 22, 2008.

Doyle does not see himself in an Obama administration: Appleton Post-Crescent, Oct. 22, 2008.

Wis. farmers won't endorse presidential candidate: Appleton Post-Crescent, Oct. 22, 2008.

Tauchen better pick in tight 6th Assembly District campaign (opinion): Green Bay Press-Gazette, Oct. 22, 2008.

Soletski is a good fit for the district for 88th Assembly District (opinion): Green Bay Press-Gazette, Oct. 22, 2008.

6th Congressional candidates sound off on effectiveness: Manitowoc Herald Times, Oct. 22, 2008.

Hines for District 42 (opinion): Wisconsin State Journal, Oct. 21, 2008.

Ott for second term (opinion): Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Oct. 21, 2008.

Gunderson's our pick (opinion): Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Oct. 21, 2008.

A clear choice (opinion): Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Oct. 21, 2008.

Jorgensen for Dist. 37 (opinion): Wisconsin State Journal, Oct. 21, 2008.

Kleefisch for Dist. 38 (opinion): Wisconsin State Journal, Oct. 21, 2008.

Fitzgerald for Dist. 39 (opinion): Wisconsin State Journal, Oct. 21, 2008.

Hard work, results make Louis Molepske the right choice for Assembly (opinion): Stevens Point Journal, Oct. 21, 2008.

1st Assembly District: Bies deserves re-election (opinion): Green Bay Press-Gazette, Oct. 20, 2008. .

2nd Assembly District: Lasee calls it as he sees it (opinion): Green Bay Press-Gazette, Oct. 20, 2008.

Campaign finance reform needed for state Supreme Court races (opinion): La Crosse Tribune, Oct. 15, 2008.

Budget-cutting priorities of next state Legislature: Manitowoc Herald Times, Oct. 9, 2008.

Kagen leads Gard in 8th District race, poll finds: Green Bay Press-Gazette, Oct. 8, 2008.

2 days, 3 cities in McCain’s state visit: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Oct. 8, 2008.

Milwaukee, Green Bay are two of nation's top four markets for presidential ads: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Oct. 8, 2008.

Judge says he'll likely run for Wis. Supreme Court: Manitowoc Herald Times, Oct. 8, 2008.

Appleton's Steve Kagen, Suamico's John Gard show differences on health care policies: Appleton Post-Crescent, Oct. 8, 2008.

McCain, Palin to visit state Thursday: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Oct. 6, 2008.

Debate tests positive for negative lapses: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Oct. 6, 2008.

Kind torn over bailout vote; challengers critical of pork: La Crosse Tribune, Oct. 3, 2008.

Kagen, Gard ads head in wrong direction (opinion): Appleton Post-Crescent, Oct. 3, 2008.

'When I am president': La Crosse Tribune, Oct. 2, 2008.

Obama, McCain agree on bailout; Feingold votes 'no': Madison Capital Times, Oct. 2, 2008.

Hansen, Fradette joust over health care during forum: Green Bay Press-Gazette, Sept. 30, 2008.

90th Assembly District candidate Weix goes solo on health care, education, jobs: Green Bay Press-Gazette, Sept. 30, 2008.

Appleton's Steve Kagen bucks Democrats as party lines blur: Appleton Post-Crescent, Sept. 30, 2008.

Kagen: Fannie Mae gift returned: Green Bay Press-Gazette, Sept. 29, 2008.

Presidential race lets loose torrent of polling: Green Bay Press-Gazette, Sept. 29, 2008.

Delay lawmakers' pay raise (opinion): Wisconsin State Journal, Sept. 29, 2008.

State lawmakers wary of Bush proposal: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Sept. 26, 2008.

Ryan emerges as leader in alternative bailout plan: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Sept. 26, 2008.

Kapanke focuses on ‘green collar’ jobs: La Crosse Tribune, Sept. 26, 2008.

Hancock takes leave from Red Cross to campaign: La Crosse Tribune, Sept. 26, 2008.

No Kind, but his challengers face off anyway: La Crosse Tribune, Sept. 24, 2008.

Obamas to rally around Wisconsin on Monday: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Sept. 22, 2008.

Kind to endorse Danou for 91st District seat: La Crosse Tribune, Sept.20, 2008.

Incumbents hold advantage in campaign fundraising: Eau Claire Leader-Telegram, Sept. 20, 2008.

Kagen, Gard tout support of veterans: Green Bay Press-Gazette, Sept. 11, 2008.

7 area Assembly incumbents hold off challengers in primary: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Sept. 10, 2008.

Roys edges out Sargent for Assembly seat: Madison Capital Times, Sept. 10, 2008.

Jo Egelhoff captures GOP nomination: Appleton Post-Crescent, Sept. 10, 2008.

Wood likely to have Republican challenger: Eau Claire Leader-Telegram, Sept. 10, 2008.

2nd Assembly candidate seeks recount: Green Bay Press-Gazette, Sept. 10, 2008.

Krupp earns right to face Ryan: Janesville Gazette, Sept. 10, 2008.

2008 Primary: Danou, Hegenbarth advance in 91st: La Crosse Tribune, Sept. 10, 2008.

Elections yield 10 percent turnout in Wood County: Marshfield News Herald, Sept. 10, 2008.

Tommy Thompson boosts John McCain at convention: Appleton Post-Crescent, Sept. 3, 2008.

Four races for House will not have primary: Green Bay Press-Gazette, Sept. 3, 2008.

Top John McCain officials: Wisconsin key to election: Appleton Post-Crescent, Sept. 2, 2008.

Sept. 9 primary determines who faces Bies: Green Bay Press-Gazette, Sept. 2, 2008.

Republicans get down to business at convention: Green Bay Press-Gazette, Sept. 2, 2008.

Six Democrats, two Republicans face off in 91st Assembly primary: La Crosse Tribune, Aug. 31, 2008.

Four GOP candidates after Albers' 50th Assembly District seat: Wisconsin State Journal, Aug. 27, 2008.

Doyle praises Obama's economic plan at DNC: Stevens Point Journal, Aug. 27, 2008.

The crisis and cure for Wisconsin politics (opinion): Madison Capital Times, Aug. 27, 2008.

Veteran legislator Young challenged by community activists: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Aug. 25, 2008.

Ryan is running, Thomas isn't in 1st District: Janesville Gazette, July 10, 2008.

Control of Legislature in play: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, July 9, 2008. GOP,

Open race in Wisconsin 91st District draws a crowd: La Crosse Tribune, July 9, 2008.

Sensenbrenner draws GOP challenger in 5th District run: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, July 8, 2008.

Wisconsin Democrats plot for Assembly takeover: La Crosse Tribune, July 7, 2008.

Links

Government Accountability Board. List of all candidates registered for U. S. House, State Senate, State Assembly and District Attorney.

Government Accountability Board. Candidate registrations show interest in autumn elections.

Political Parties

The Democratic Party of Wisconsin

The Republican Party of Wisconsin

Libertarian Party

Green Party

Constitution Party

Business Organizations

Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce

State Bar Association of Wisconsin

Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce

Wisconsin Utilities Association

Government Organizations

League of Wisconsin Municipalities

Wisconsin Alliance of Cities

Wisconsin Assoc. of School Boards'

Wisconsin Counties Association

Issue Groups

AARP

League of Women Voters Wisconsin

The Wisconsin Democracy Campaign