2016 Wisconsin elections
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Elections in Wisconsin |
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The2016 Wisconsin Fall General Electionwas held in theU.S. stateofWisconsinon November 8, 2016.[1]One of Wisconsin'sU.S. Senateseats and all eight seats in theUnited States House of Representativeswere up for election, as well as half of theWisconsin Senateseats and all 99Wisconsin State Assemblyseats. Voters also chose ten electors to represent them in theElectoral College,which then participated in selecting the 45th president of the United States. The2016 Fall Partisan Primarywas held on August 9, 2016.[2]
TheWisconsin Republican Partymade large gains in the 2016 election. Businessman and Republican presidential nomineeDonald Trumpwon Wisconsin in an upset, becoming the first Republican to win the state since 1984.[3][4]Additionally, the state GOP had a strong showing in theState Legislature,building their largest majorities since 1957,[3][5]and Republican senatorRon JohnsondefeatedRuss Feingolda second time for a second term.[3][6]This put Walker and the Wisconsin GOP in a strong position.[7]
The2016 Wisconsin Spring Electionwas held April 5, 2016. This election featured a contested race forWisconsin Supreme Court,with Republicans' preferred candidate, recently-appointed justiceRebecca Bradley,winning a ten-year term. The Spring election also saw various other judicial and local elections, including contested county executive and mayoral races in Wisconsin's largest city and county,Milwaukee.The2016 Wisconsin Spring Primarywas held February 17, 2016.[8]
Federal[edit]
President[edit]
Senate[edit]
In a rematch of the2010 election,first term incumbent RepublicanRon Johnsonran against former Democratic U.S. SenatorRuss Feingold.[9]Johnson defeated Feingold in the general election with 50.2% of the vote.[10]
House of Representatives[edit]
All of Wisconsin's eightUnited States House of Representativesseats were up for election in 2016. Party composition remained unchanged after the general election.
District | Incumbent | Elected | Defeated | Democratic | Republican | Others | Total | Result | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Votes | % | Votes | % | Votes | % | Votes | % | |||||||
District 1 | Paul Ryan | Paul Ryan | Ryan Solen (D) Jason Lebeck (Lib) |
107,003 | 30.21% | 230,072 | 64.95% | 17,170 | 4.85% | 354,245 | 12.77% | Republican Hold | ||
District 2 | Mark Pocan | Mark Pocan | Peter Theron (R) | 273,537 | 68.72% | 124,044 | 31.16% | 479 | 0.12% | 398,060 | 14.35% | Democratic Hold | ||
District 3 | Ron Kind | Ron Kind | Ryan Peterson (Ind) | 257,401 | 98.86% | 0 | 0.0% | 2,969 | 1.14% | 260,370 | 9.39% | Democratic Hold | ||
District 4 | Gwen Moore | Gwen Moore | Andy Craig (Lib) Robert R. Raymond (Ind) |
220,181 | 76.74% | 0 | 0.0% | 66,728 | 23.26% | 286,909 | 10.34% | Democratic Hold | ||
District 5 | Jim Sensenbrenner | Jim Sensenbrenner | Khary Penebaker(D) John Arndt (Lib) |
114,477 | 29.29% | 260,706 | 66.70% | 15,661 | 4.01% | 390,844 | 14.09% | Republican Hold | ||
District 6 | Glenn Grothman | Glenn Grothman | Sarah Lloyd (D) Jeff Dahlke (Ind) |
133,072 | 37.26% | 204,147 | 57.15% | 19,964 | 5.59% | 357,183 | 12.88% | Republican Hold | ||
District 7 | Sean Duffy | Sean Duffy | Mary Hoeft (D) | 138,643 | 38.27% | 223,418 | 61.67% | 210 | 0.06% | 362,271 | 13.06% | Republican Hold | ||
District 8 | Reid Ribble | Mike Gallagher | Tom Nelson(D) Wendy Gribben (Green) |
135,682 | 37.30% | 227,892 | 62.65% | 206 | 0.06% | 363,780 | 13.12% | Republican Hold | ||
Total | 1,379,996 | 49.75% | 1,270,279 | 45.80% | 123,387 | 4.45% | 2,773,662 | 100.00% |
State[edit]
Legislature[edit]
State Senate[edit]
The 16 even-numbered districts out of 33 seats in theWisconsin Senatewere up for election in 2016. Nine of these seats were held by Republicans and seven were held by Democrats. Prior to the election, Republicans controlled the chamber with a 19 to 14 majority, but they gained a seat in the election.
Senatorial district | Incumbent | This race | Results | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
District | Senator | Party | First elected |
Incumbent Status | Candidates[11] | Winner[12] | |||
2 | Robert Cowles | Republican | 1987 | Running | Robert Cowles (Republican) John Powers (Democratic) |
Robert Cowles 65% | |||
4 | Lena Taylor | Democrat | 2005 | Running | Lena Taylor (Democrat) | Lena Taylor 100% | |||
6 | Nikiya Harris | Democrat | 2013 | Not Running | La Tonya Johnson(Democrat) | LaTonya Johnson 100% | |||
8 | Alberta Darling | Republican | 1993 | Running | Alberta Darling (Republican) | Alberta Darling 100% | |||
10 | Sheila Harsdorf | Republican | 2001 | Running | Sheila Harsdorf (Republican) Diane Odeen (Democrat) |
Sheila Harsdorf 63% | |||
12 | Tom Tiffany | Republican | 2013 | Running | Tom Tiffany (Republican) Bryan Van Stippen (Democrat) |
Tom Tiffany 63% | |||
14 | Luther Olsen | Republican | 2004 | Running | Luther Olsen (Republican) Brian Smith (Democrat) |
Luther Olsen 57% | |||
16 | Mark F. Miller | Democrat | 2005 | Running | Mark Miller (Democrat) | Mark Miller 100% | |||
18 | Rick Gudex | Republican | 2013 | Not Running | Dan Feyen (Republican) Mark Harris (Democrat) |
Dan Feyen 56% | |||
20 | Duey Stroebel | Republican | 2015 | Running | Duey Stroebel (Republican) | Duey Stroebel 100% | |||
22 | Robert Wirch | Democrat | 1997 | Running | Robert Wirch (Democrat) | Robert Wirch 100% | |||
24 | Julie Lassa | Democrat | 2003 | Running | Patrick Testin(Republican) Julie Lassa (Democrat) |
Patrick Testin 52% | |||
26 | Fred Risser | Democrat | 1962 | Running | Fred Risser (Democrat) | Fred Risser 100% | |||
28 | Mary Lazich | Republican | 1998 | Not Running | Dave Craig(Republican) | Dave Craig 100% | |||
30 | Dave Hansen | Democrat | 2001 | Running | Dave Hansen (Democratic) Eric Wimberger (Republican) |
Dave Hansen 51% | |||
32 | Jennifer Shilling | Democrat | 2011 | Running | Jennifer Shilling (Democrat) Dan Kapanke(Republican) Chip DeNure (independent) |
Jennifer Shilling 49% |
State Assembly[edit]
All 99 seats of theWisconsin State Assemblywere up for election in November. Nine Assemblymen (6 Republicans, 3 Democrats) did not seek re-election.[11]
Affiliation | Party (Shading indicates majority caucus)
|
Total | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Democratic | Vacant | ||
Before 2016 elections | 63 | 36 | 99 | 0 |
Latest voting share | 64% | 36% | ||
After 2016 elections | 64 | 35 | 99 | 0 |
Latest voting share | 65% | 35% |
Judiciary[edit]
State Supreme Court[edit]
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![]() County results Bradley:50–60%60–70%70–80% Kloppenburg:50–60%60–70%70–90% | ||||||||||||||
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IncumbentWisconsin Supreme CourtJusticeRebecca Bradleydefeated JudgeJoAnne Kloppenburgof the Wisconsin Court of Appeals in the April general election. Justice Bradley had been appointed to the court in 2015 by GovernorScott Walker,to replace JusticeN. Patrick Crooks,who had died in office. Justice Crooks' term was already set to expire in 2016, thus no special election needed to be scheduled.[13]
Though Wisconsin's judicial elections are officially nonpartisan, Bradley's victory was seen as a win for the Republican Party, as she supported a judicial philosophy in line with that of federal conservative judges likeSamuel AlitoandClarence Thomas.During the election her primary backers were Republican-aligned interest groups such as theNRA Political Victory Fundand Wisconsin Right to Life.[14]Justice Crooks, her predecessor, was seen as a swing vote on the court, so his replacement by the conservative Bradley was seen as a net gain for the conservative bloc on the court.
Candidates[edit]
- Rebecca Bradley,incumbent justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court[15]
- M. Joseph Donald,Judge of theMilwaukee CountyCircuit Court (Branch 2)[15]
- JoAnne Kloppenburg,Judge of theWisconsin Court of Appeals(District IV division)[15]
Results[edit]
Primary election | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
Nonpartisan | Rebecca Bradley(incumbent) | 252,932 | 44.61% | |
Nonpartisan | JoAnne Kloppenburg | 244,729 | 43.16% | |
Nonpartisan | M. Joseph Donald | 68,746 | 12.12% | |
Write-in | 631 | 0.11% | ||
Total votes | 567,038 | 100.0% | ||
General election | ||||
Nonpartisan | Rebecca Bradley(incumbent) | 1,024,892 | 52.35% | |
Nonpartisan | JoAnne Kloppenburg | 929,377 | 47.47% | |
Write-in | 3,678 | 0.19% | ||
Total votes | 1,957,947 | 100.0% |
State Court of Appeals[edit]
All four districts of theWisconsin Court of Appealshad a seat up for election in 2016. None of the races were contested.
- In District I, JudgeJoan F. Kesslerwas elected to her third term without opposition.
- In District II, JudgePaul F. Reillywas elected to his second term without opposition.
- In District III, Judge Thomas Hruz was elected to his first full term, after being appointed to the court by GovernorScott Walkerin 2014.
- In District IV, JudgeBrian Blanchardwas elected to his second term without opposition.
State Circuit Courts[edit]
Forty of the state's 249circuit courtseats were up for election in 2020. Ten of those seats were contested. Three incumbent judges were defeated—Milwaukee County judges Paul Rifelj and Michelle Ackerman Havas, and Eau Claire County judge Brian H. Wright. All three defeated judges had been appointed by GovernorScott Walker.
Circuit | Branch | Incumbent | Elected | Defeated | Defeated in Primary | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Votes | % | Name | Votes | % | Name(s) | |||
Barron | 1 | James C. Babler | James C. Babler | 12,364 | 99.66% | ||||
Crawford | James P. Czajkowski | Lynn Marie Rider | 4,327 | 99.63% | |||||
Dane | 3 | Jim Troupis | Valerie L. Bailey-Rihn | 132,270 | 99.10% | ||||
4 | Amy Smith | Everett Mitchell | 132,939 | 99.14% | |||||
5 | Nicholas J. McNamara | Nicholas J. McNamara | 131,068 | 99.19% | |||||
14 | C. William Foust | John D. Hyland | 130,198 | 99.23% | |||||
15 | Stephen Ehlke | Stephen Ehlke | 130,754 | 99.27% | |||||
17 | Peter C. Anderson | Peter C. Anderson | 129,643 | 99.23% | |||||
Eau Claire | 1 | Brian H. Wright | John F. Manydeeds | 18,850 | 55.35% | Brian H. Wright | 15,132 | 44.43% | |
Fond du Lac | 2 | Peter L. Grimm | Peter L. Grimm | 25,290 | 100.00% | ||||
4 | Gary R. Sharpe | Gary R. Sharpe | 25,020 | 100.00% | |||||
Iowa | William D. Dyke | Margaret M. Koehler | 4,546 | 51.21% | Timothy B. McKinley | 4,315 | 48.61% | Larry Nelson Tim Angel | |
Juneau | 1 | John Pier Roemer | John Pier Roemer | 6,384 | 99.72% | ||||
Kewaunee | Dennis J. Mleziva | Keith A. Mehn | 4,096 | 51.66% | Jeffrey Ronald Wisnicky | 3,832 | 48.34% | Andrew Naze | |
Lincoln | 1 | Jay R. Tlusty | Jay R. Tlusty | 7,844 | 99.27% | ||||
Marathon | 2 | Greg Huber | Greg Huber | 37,240 | 99.56% | ||||
Milwaukee | 5 | Mary M. Kuhnmuench | Mary M. Kuhnmuench | 171,093 | 98.72% | ||||
14 | Christopher R. Foley | Christopher R. Foley | 175,825 | 98.91% | |||||
25 | Stephanie Rothstein | Stephanie Rothstein | 168,070 | 98.83% | |||||
31 | Paul Rifelj | Hannah C. Dugan | 132,461 | 64.90% | Paul Rifelj | 70,098 | 34.35% | ||
34 | Glenn H. Yamahiro | Glenn H. Yamahiro | 167,132 | 98.83% | |||||
44 | Daniel L. Konkol | Gwen Connolly | 167,479 | 98.93% | |||||
45 | Michelle Ackerman Havas | Jean Marie Kies | 100,409 | 49.86% | Michelle Ackerman Havas | 99,225 | 49.28% | ||
Monroe | 2 | Mark L. Goodman | Mark L. Goodman | 11,260 | 99.68% | ||||
3 | J. David Rice | J. David Rice | 11,100 | 99.61% | |||||
Oconto | 2 | Jay Conley | Jay Conley | 11,890 | 100.00% | ||||
Pierce | Joseph D. Boles | Joseph D. Boles | 10,309 | 100.00% | |||||
Portage | 2 | Robert J. Shannon | Robert J. Shannon | 12,551 | 54.22% | Trish Baker | 10,515 | 45.42% | David R. Knaapen Jared Redfield |
Racine | 2 | Eugene A. Gasiorkiewicz | Eugene A. Gasiorkiewicz | 40,407 | 100.00% | ||||
4 | John S. Jude | Mark Nielsen | 34,573 | 71.84% | Joseph W. Seifert | 13,554 | 28.16% | ||
Rock | 2 | Alan Bates | Alan Bates | 35,354 | 99.29% | ||||
Rusk | 2 | Steven P. Anderson | Steven P. Anderson | 2,542 | 52.29% | Richard J. Summerfield | 2,319 | 47.71% | |
St. Croix | 4 | R. Michael Waterman | R. Michael Waterman | 18,333 | 99.34% | ||||
Sauk | 1 | Michael Screnock | Michael Screnock | 15,773 | 100.00% | ||||
2 | James Evenson | Wendy J. N. Klicko | 10,757 | 53.36% | Kevin R. Calkins | 9,403 | 46.64% | ||
Vilas | Neal A. Nielsen III | Neal A. Nielsen III | 7,354 | 99.27% | |||||
Walworth | 2 | James L. Carlson | Daniel S. Johnson | 16,420 | 54.80% | Dan Necci | 13,385 | 44.67% | Shannon Wynn |
4 | David M. Reddy | David M. Reddy | 24,024 | 99.14% | |||||
Winnebago | 3 | Barbara Hart Key | Barbara Hart Key | 41,909 | 99.23% | ||||
5 | John A. Jorgensen | John A. Jorgensen | 40,795 | 99.29% |
Local[edit]
Kenosha[edit]
- John Antaramianwas elected to a four-year term asMayorofKenosha.[18]He was returning to office after having previously served four four-year terms as mayor from 1992 through 2008.
Milwaukee[edit]
- IncumbentTom Barrettwas reelectedto his fourth term asMayorofMilwaukee,defeating alderman Bob Donovan.
- IncumbentCounty ExecutiveChris Abelewas re-elected, defeating state senatorChris Larson.
References[edit]
- ^"Archived copy"(PDF).Archived fromthe original(PDF)on June 17, 2016.RetrievedJuly 12,2016.
{{cite web}}
:CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^"Fall 2016 Partisan Primary | Government Accountability Board".Archived fromthe originalon July 14, 2016.RetrievedJuly 12,2016.
- ^abcBauer, Scott (November 9, 2016)."Republicans Build Majorities in Legislature".The Charlotte Observer(from theAssociated Press). Archived fromthe originalon November 10, 2016.RetrievedNovember 25,2016.
- ^Kueppers, Courtney (November 8, 2016)."Trump Becomes First Republican Presidential Candidate Since 1984 To Win Wisconsin".Wisconsin Public Radio.RetrievedNovember 25,2016.
- ^Marley, Patrick; Stein, Jason (November 9, 2016)."GOP Strengthens Hold on Legislature".Sheboygan Press.Archivedfrom the original on November 26, 2016.RetrievedNovember 25,2016.
- ^Schleifer, Theodore (November 8, 2016)."Ron Johnson Earns Surprise GOP Win in Wisconsin Senate Race".CNN.RetrievedNovember 25,2016.
- ^Litke, Eric (November 10, 2016)."5 Wisconsin Winners in Trump Tidal Wave".The Post-Crescent.RetrievedNovember 25,2016.
- ^DeFour, Matthew (October 10, 2015)."Scott Walker appoints Rebecca Bradley to Supreme Court".Wisconsin State Journal.RetrievedApril 18,2020.
- ^Mikkelson, Marti (July 5, 2016)."Candidates Ramp up the Rhetoric in Wisconsin Senate Race".WUWM.
- ^"2016 General Election"(PDF).State of Wisconsin. November 8, 2016. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on December 14, 2016.RetrievedDecember 20,2016.
- ^ab"Candidate List for the August 9, 2016 Primary Election"(PDF).Wisconsin Government Accountability Board.Archived fromthe original(PDF)on July 7, 2016.RetrievedJuly 12,2016.
- ^"County by County Report - State Senate"(PDF).Wisconsin Elections Commission. November 29, 2016.RetrievedDecember 17,2016.
- ^Beck, Molly (April 6, 2016)."Rebecca Bradley elected to state Supreme Court".Wisconsin State Journal.Archivedfrom the original on November 19, 2020.RetrievedApril 18,2020.(subscription required)
- ^"NRA Endorses Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Rebecca Bradley"(PDF)(Press release).Fairfax, Virginia:NRA-PVF. March 29, 2016.RetrievedApril 18,2020– viaThe Wheeler Report.
The National Rifle Association's Political Victory Fund (NRA-PVF) today announced the endorsement of the Honorable Rebecca G. Bradley for the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
- ^abcMarley, Patrick (January 5, 2016)."Appointed Justice Rebecca Bradley to face Joe Donald, JoAnne Kloppenburg".Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
- ^"2016 Spring Primary Results"(PDF).
- ^"2016 Spring Election and Presidential Preference Results"(PDF).
- ^Spring General Election(Report). Office of the Clerk of Kenosha County, Wisconsin. April 6, 2016.RetrievedFebruary 15,2021.