Vukmir, Evers Win in Wisconsin Primary Elections

All the questions were answered early on election night as Tony Evers easily won the Democratic primary for Wisconsin governor and Leah Vukmir cruised to victory in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate.

Both races were called long before the 10:00 p.m. news, and both candidates should get a boost as they move on to face their well-financed incumbent opponents.

Evers doubled up his nearest opponent and performed strongly statewide.  His closest opponent, Mahlon Mitchell, was strong in Milwaukee but lagged far behind most everywhere else.

Vukmir’s victory was much larger than expected.  Her race with political newcomer Kevin Nicholson was neck and neck for most of the race according to available polling, but she won big in the Milwaukee suburban ring, or the “WOW” counties (Waukesha, Ozaukee, Washington), and held her own everywhere else.  Vukmir now will face incumbent Democrat Sen. Tammy Baldwin.

In what some might consider upsets, two Democratic incumbent Assemblymen were defeated in their primaries. Rep. Fred Kessler (D-Milwaukee) lost to LaKesia Myers, a Milwaukee public school teacher. In what was less surprising, embattled Rep. Josh Zepnick (D-Milwaukee) lost to attorney Marisabel Carbrera.

Full election results.