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The Daily Cardinal Est. 1892
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Republicans extended their lead in both houses of the state Legislature Tuesday.

Republicans extended their lead in both houses of the state Legislature Tuesday.

Republicans expand lead in state Legislature

Republicans maintained their majorities in both the state Assembly and state Senate Tuesday.

With all 99 seats in the state Assembly up for election, the Republicans earned enough seats to maintain control of the chamber. State Rep. Chris Danou, D-Trempealeau, was the lone incumbent to lose, falling to Republican Treig Pronschinske.

In the election, there were 42 candidates running unopposed, guaranteeing 24 districts for the Democrats and 18 for the Republicans respectively. Of the 51 districts remaining, Republicans held onto 45 seats and the Democrats took 11.

In District 76, representing UW–Madison’s campus, state Rep. Chris Taylor, D-Madison, won by a margin of 64 percent.

The Republicans swept in many notable races. In District 51, Republican Pat Snyder defeated Democrat Mandy Wright. Republican incumbent state Rep. Todd Novak, R-Dodgeville, also held on to defeat Plain Democrat Jeff Wright in a key victory for Republicans.

Republicans make gains in state Senate

There were also 16 state Senate Districts in play this election, eight of which were uncontested. Republicans won seven of the remaining eight contests.

Republicans gained two seats, with Dan Kapanke defeating Senate Minority Leader Jennifer Shilling, D-La Crosse, and Pat Testin beating state Sen. Julie Lassa, D-Stevens Point.

Democrats now hold 12 seats compared to 21 held by Republicans. State Sen. Fred Risser, D-Madison, won the 26th District, which contains the UW–Madison campus, running unopposed.

The Democrats’ best shot at denting the Republican majority came in the 14th and 18th Senate Districts, where both Brian Smith and Mark Harris, respectively, lost by over 10 points.

It was a long shot for the Republicans to lose their hold on the Senate, but the loss of seats came as a shock to many. State Sen. Dave Hansen, D-Green Bay, of the 30th District was the only Democrat to keep possession of his seat.

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