The Wisconsin state Senate remained in Republican hands Wednesday morning, after Democrats lost in three competitive district races.
The race for control of the Senate gained momentum because Wisconsin’s Senate was one of the few competitive state legislative bodies in the country. Democrats had an opportunity to flip the 9th, 17th and 19th Districts going into the night.
Sheboygan County Board member Devin LeMahieu beat Martha Laning in the 9th District, receiving approximately 60 percent of the vote.
According to his campaign website, LeMahieu promotes job growth, tax cuts, spending control and Gov. Scott Walker’s investments in public education.
As chair of Sheboygan County’s Resources Committee, LeMahieu demonstrated fiscal management consistent with payroll-related savings, according to his campaign website.
In the 17th District, state Rep. Howard Marklein, R-Spring Green, beat Democratic attorney Pat Bomhack with 55.1 percent of the vote.
The Spring Green Republican serves as the vice chair of the Assembly Education Committee, dealing with issues affecting public school systems. According to his campaign website, Marklein supports public policy that is in favor of “the family” and public schools.
Former state Rep. Roger Roth beat state Rep. Penny Bernard Schaber, D-Appleton, in the 19th District with 57.2 percent of the vote.
Roth’s campaign website says he supports cutting state spending, lowering taxes and the creation of a segregated transportation fund, which passed with approximately 80 percent.
Wisconsin Democrats found the state midterms much tighter than anticipated for seats they expected to win easily. Projected landslide wins ended in narrow victories, showing an overall struggle for the party Tuesday night.
“The results weren’t what we hoped for, but the people have spoken and we congratulate Gov. Walker and the Republican Party of Wisconsin on their victory tonight,” Wisconsin Democrat Chair Mike Tate said in a statement responding to election results.
