Tim Michels scored a victory over the favored Russ Darrow in Wisconsin's primary elections Tuesday after UW-Madison students filed into local polling stations to cast their votes.
Wisconsin voters elected David Magnum to contest U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin's congressional seat and also voted to remove state Senate Majority Leader Mary Panzer in favor of state Rep. Glenn Grothman, R-West Bend.
Michels' win in the Republican Senate primary pits him against popular Democratic Sen. Russ Feingold. Feingold has served in the Senate since 1992.
Michels was born in Wisconsin and is currently vice president of the Michels Corporation, which constructs energy, communications and transportation infrastructure. Michels has focused his campaign on his military service as an Army ranger and his knowledge and experience as a successful business owner.
\My hope is that this final election will be about the issues. I challenge my opponent to up to five debates on the issues around the state, so we can give the people the kind of positive, issue-oriented campaign that they deserve,"" Feingold said of Michels' victory in a statement. ""I believe that Mr. Michels needs to answer some basic questions. Does he support guaranteed health care for all Americans? I do. He apparently does not.""
Although Michels has had a successful campaign to date, UW-Madison political science Professor Virginia Sapiro said she believes he will have a difficult time defeating Feingold.
""The strength of being the incumbent and being well-known gives Feingold a very large advantage,"" Sapiro said.
Also vying for the Republican Senate seat were candidates Robert Lorge, Bob Welch and Russ Darrow.
In addition to the Senate primary, Republicans David Magnum and Ron Greer battled for the opportunity to face U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin in the race for the 2nd Congressional District.
On the strength of his seemingly positive campaign, Magnum took roughly 60 percent of the vote to beat opponent Ron Greer.
""We need to sit down, pull people onto common ground and get things done,"" Magnum said following his victory. ""I always say that I don't care who is right, as long as we get it right. This is the kind of good, healthy debate we need for the people of this district. The people need that.""
Baldwin, an openly gay member of Congress, staunchly opposes many of President Bush's policies, including the USA Patriot Act and a proposed ban on same-sex marriage.
The redistricting of the 2nd District favors Baldwin, as many rural areas that generally vote Republican moved into a different district.
""The redistricting was done basically to give Tammy Baldwin a safe seat. It is one of the only safe democratic seats in the state,"" Sapiro said.
With all the attention the upcoming presidential election is receiving, the primary elections can be easily overlooked by many students.
""I think most people are looking towards the big presidential election and don't think [the primary elections] are as important,"" said UW-Madison freshman Laura Clark.
The lack of student turnout for primary elections may also have to do with the lack of information students receive about each candidate.
""The only way you know [about the primary election] is if you watch TV and listen to Wisconsin politics,"" said UW-Madison sophomore Matt Suing. ""There's not much advertisement for the election itself.""
