The 2012 Wisconsin State Assembly elections were held on Tuesday, November 6, 2012. All 99 seats in the Wisconsin State Assembly were up for election. Before the election, 58 Assembly seats were held by Republicans, 38 seats were held by Democrats, 1 was held by an independent, and 2 were vacant. The primary election was held on August 14, 2012.
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All 99 seats in the Wisconsin State Assembly 50 seats needed for a majority | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Results: Democratic gain Republican gain Democratic hold Republican hold Vote Share: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% >90% 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% >90% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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This was the first Assembly election after the legislative redistricting following the 2010 United States census. The maps passed into law ware widely considered one of the most severe Republican gerrymanders in U.S. history.
Republicans flipped the independent-held seat and reclaimed two vacant seats, to enter the 101st Wisconsin Legislature with 60 of 99 State Assembly seats.
Elected members took office on January 7, 2013.
Background
editRepublicans won control of the Assembly, alongside the governorship and the State Senate, in the 2010 elections. Using their newly-gained governmental trifecta, Republicans began enacting a number of high-profile, highly controversial bills. Chief among them was Wisconsin Act 10, also known as the "Budget Repair Bill," which sought to eliminate public-sector unions and reduce the pay of public employees in a purported attempt to balance the state's budget.[1] This sparked a heavy backlash from public employees, especially teachers, and students, who staged protests of the legislation across the state.[2][3][4][5] In addition, 14 Democratic members of the Wisconsin Senate staged a walkout to Illinois to deprive the chamber of a quorum to prevent the passage of the bill.[6] Republicans managed to pass the bill anyway the next month,[7] but the fallout from the bill's passage led to the attempted recall of governor Scott Walker and the successful recall of multiple members of the Senate in 2011 and 2012.[8][9]
In May 2011, Democrat Steve Doyle flipped an Assembly seat by winning a special election in the 94th district.[10]
Redistricting
editIn the 2010 elections, Republicans won significant majorities in both houses of the Legislature and the governorship. Republicans used their majorities to pass a radical redistricting plan after the 2010 census which substantially shifted the partisan bias of the state legislative maps. It was the product of a Republican project known as REDMAP, which used new statistical and mapping software to craft the maps.[11] The maps themselves were crafted and agreed upon in highly secretive meetings among Republican legislators, the details of which were only made public during court hearings regarding the constitutionality of the maps in 2015.[12]
Several lawsuits were brought against the 2011 redistricting plan. A set of early challenges against the plan led to only minor alterations to two districts in the Milwaukee area, which the court ruled violated Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act by improperly diluting the population of Latinos across two districts.[13] Later suits against the map would eventually become the Supreme Court case Whitford v. Gill.
Results
editRepublicans maintained their large majority in the Assembly, winning 60 seats to the Democrats' 39. Republicans were aided in part by highly favorable redistricting, winning 74% of contested seats while only winning 52% of the vote in those races. Factoring in uncontested races, Republicans won 60% of seats in the Assembly despite losing the statewide popular vote by almost 175,000 votes.[14]
Results summary
editSeats | Party (majority caucus shading)
|
Total | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Ind. | Republican | |||
Last election (2010) | 38 | 1 | 60 | 99 | |
Total before this election | 38 | 1 | 58 | 97 | |
Up for election | 39 | 1 | 59 | 99 | |
of which: | Incumbent retiring | 8 | 1 | 6 | 15 |
Vacated | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | |
Unopposed | 16 | 0 | 4 | 20 | |
This election | 39 | 0 | 60 | 99 | |
Change from last election | 1 | 1 | |||
Total after this election | 39 | 0 | 60 | 99 | |
Change in total | 1 | 1 | 2 |
Party | Candidates | Votes | Seats | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | % | +/− | No. | +/− | |||
Democratic Party | 95 | 1,419,858 | 52.44 | 39 | +1 | ||
Republican Party | 77 | 1,249,559 | 46.15 | 60 | +2 | ||
Independent | 14 | 28,119 | 1.41 | 0 | -1 | ||
Write-in | N/A | 9,935 | 0.37 | 0 | 0 | ||
Total | 2,707,471 | 100.00 | ±0.00 | 99 | ±0 | ||
Source: Wisconsin Government Accountability Board[15] |
Close races
editSeats where the margin of victory was under 10%:
- State Assembly district 72, 0.39%
- State Assembly district 70, 0.53%
- State Assembly district 93, 1.62%
- State Assembly district 75, 2.17% (gain)
- State Assembly district 26, 2.60%
- State Assembly district 1, 2.62%
- State Assembly district 85, 3.23%
- State Assembly district 50, 3.51%
- State Assembly district 51, 3.78%
- State Assembly district 68, 4.86%
- State Assembly district 88, 4.93%
- State Assembly district 62, 6.20% (gain)
- State Assembly district 67, 6.55%
- State Assembly district 37, 8.60% (gain)
- State Assembly district 49, 8.54%
Outgoing incumbents
editRetiring
edit- Tamara Grigsby (D–Milwaukee), representing District 18 since 2004, did not run for re-election due to a difficult battle with cancer.[16]
- Michelle Litjens (R–Appleton), representing District 56 since 2010, did not run for re-election.[17]
- Dan Meyer (R–Eagle River), representing District 34 since 2000, did not run for re-election.
- Donna J. Seidel (D–Wausau), representing District 85 since 2004, did not run for re-election.
- Richard Spanbauer (R–Oshkosh), representing District 53 since 2008, did not run for re-election.
- Tony Staskunas (D–West Allis), representing District 15 since 1996, did not run for re-election.[18]
- Robert L. Turner (D–Racine), representing District 61 since 1990, did not run for re-election due to redistricting which reshaped his district.[19]
- Karl Van Roy (R–Howard), representing District 90 since 2002, did not run for re-election.
- Bob Ziegelbauer (I–Manitowoc), representing District 25 since 1992, did not run for re-election.[20]
Seeking other office
edit- Elizabeth M. Coggs (D–Milwaukee), representing District 10 since 2010, ran for state Senate in the 4th Senate district, but lost the primary.
- David Cullen (D–Milwaukee), representing District 13 since 1990, was elected to the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors in the 2014 Spring election.[21]
- Jeff Fitzgerald (R–Horicon, representing District 39 since 2000, and the incumbent speaker, ran for U.S. Senate, but lost the primary.[22][23]
- Louis Molepske (D–Stevens Point), representing District 71 since 2003, ran for Portage County district attorney, and won the election.[24]
- Mark Pocan (D–Madison), representing District 78 since 1998, ran for U.S. House of Representatives in Wisconsin's 2nd congressional district, and won the election.[25]
- Tom Tiffany (R–Hazelhurst), representing District 35 since 2010, ran for state Senate in the 12th Senate district, and won the election.[26][27]
Vacated
edit- Jerry Petrowski (R–Marathon) resigned from District 86 after his election as state senator.[28][29]
- Barbara Toles (D–Milwaukee) resigned from District 17 on July 2, 2012.[30]
Election results
editDist. | Incumbent | This race[15] | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Member | Party | First elect | Status | Candidates | Results | ||
01 | Garey Bies | Republican | 2000 | Running |
|
Incumbent re-elected | |
02 | André Jacque | Republican | 2010 | Running |
|
Incumbent re-elected | |
03 | Alvin Ott | Republican | 1986 | Running |
|
Incumbent re-elected | |
04 | Chad Weininger | Republican | 2010 | Running |
|
Incumbent re-elected | |
05 | Jim Steineke | Republican | 2010 | Running |
|
Incumbent re-elected | |
06 | Gary Tauchen | Republican | 2006 | Running |
|
Incumbent re-elected | |
07 | Peggy Krusick | Democratic | 1983 (special) | Running |
|
Incumbent lost primary New member elected Democratic hold | |
08 | Jocasta Zamarripa | Democratic | 2010 | Running |
|
Incumbent re-elected | |
09 | Josh Zepnick | Democratic | 2002 | Running |
|
Incumbent re-elected | |
10 | Elizabeth M. Coggs | Democratic | 2010 | Ran for state Senate |
|
Incumbent retired to run for Wisconsin Senate New member elected Democratic hold | |
11 | Jason Fields | Democratic | 2004 | Running |
|
Incumbent lost primary New member elected Democratic hold | |
12 | Fred Kessler | Democratic | 1960 1962 (retired) 1964 1972 (retired) 2004 |
Running |
|
Incumbent re-elected | |
13 | David Cullen | Democratic | 1990 (special) | Ran for county board |
|
Incumbent retired New member elected Republican gain | |
14 | Dale Kooyenga | Republican | 2010 | Running |
|
Incumbent re-elected | |
15 | Tony Staskunas | Democratic | 1996 | Not running |
|
Incumbent retired New member elected Republican gain | |
16 | Leon Young | Democratic | 1992 | Running |
|
Incumbent re-elected | |
17 | --Vacant-- |
|
Incumbent resigned New member elected Democratic hold | ||||
18 | Tamara Grigsby | Democratic | 2004 | Not running |
|
Incumbent retired New member elected Democratic hold | |
19 | Jon Richards | Democratic | 1998 | Running |
|
Incumbent re-elected | |
20 | Christine Sinicki | Democratic | 1998 | Running |
|
Incumbent re-elected | |
21 | Mark Honadel | Republican | 2013 (special) | Running |
|
Incumbent re-elected | |
22 | Sandy Pasch | Democratic | 2008 | Ran for 10th district |
|
Incumbent redistricted New member elected Republican gain | |
23 | Jim Ott | Republican | 2006 | Running |
|
Incumbent re-elected | |
24 | Dan Knodl | Republican | 2008 | Running |
|
Incumbent re-elected | |
25 | Bob Ziegelbauer | Independent | 1992[a] | Not running |
|
Incumbent retired New member elected Republican gain | |
26 | Mike Endsley | Republican | 2010 | Running |
|
Incumbent re-elected | |
27 | Steve Kestell | Republican | 1998 | Running |
|
Incumbent re-elected | |
28 | Erik Severson | Republican | 2010 | Running |
|
Incumbent re-elected | |
29 | John Murtha | Republican | 2006 | Running |
|
Incumbent re-elected | |
30 | Dean Knudson | Republican | 2010 | Running |
|
Incumbent re-elected | |
31 | Stephen Nass | Republican | 2010 | Ran for 33rd district |
|
Incumbent redistricted New member elected Republican hold | |
32 | Tyler August | Republican | 2010 | Running |
|
Incumbent re-elected | |
33 | Chris Kapenga | Republican | 1990 | Ran for 99th district |
|
Incumbent redistricted New member elected Republican hold | |
34 | Dan Meyer | Republican | 2000 | Not running |
|
Incumbent retired New member elected Republican hold | |
35 | Tom Tiffany | Republican | 2012 | Ran for state Senate |
|
Incumbent retired to run for Wisconsin Senate New member elected Republican hold | |
36 | Jeffrey Mursau | Republican | 2004 | Running |
|
Incumbent re-elected | |
37 | Andy Jorgensen | Democratic | 2006 | Ran for 43rd district |
|
Incumbent redistricted New member elected Republican gain | |
38 | Joel Kleefisch | Republican | 2004 | Running |
|
Incumbent re-elected | |
39 | Jeff Fitzgerald | Republican | 2000 | Ran for U.S. Senate |
|
Incumbent retired to run for U.S. Senate New member elected Republican hold | |
40 | Kevin David Petersen | Republican | 2006 | Running |
|
Incumbent re-elected | |
41 | Joan Ballweg | Republican | 2004 | Running |
|
Incumbent re-elected | |
42 | Keith Ripp | Republican | 2008 | Running |
|
Incumbent re-elected | |
43 | Andy Jorgensen | Democratic | 2006 | Running |
|
Incumbent re-elected | |
44 | Joe Knilans | Republican | 2010 | Running |
|
Incumbent defeated New member elected Democratic gain | |
45 | Amy Loudenbeck | Republican | 2010 | Ran for 31st district |
|
Incumbent redistricted New member elected Democratic gain | |
46 | Gary Hebl | Democratic | 2004 | Running |
|
Incumbent re-elected | |
47 | Keith Ripp | Republican | 2008 | Ran for 42nd district |
|
Incumbent redistricted New member elected Democratic gain | |
48 | Chris Taylor | Democratic | 2012 | Ran for 76th district |
|
Incumbent redistricted New member elected Democratic hold | |
49 | Travis Tranel | Republican | 2010 | Running |
|
Incumbent re-elected | |
50 | Edward Brooks | Republican | 2008 | Running |
|
Incumbent re-elected | |
51 | Howard Marklein | Republican | 2010 | Running |
|
Incumbent re-elected | |
52 | Jeremy Thiesfeldt | Republican | 2010 | Running |
|
Incumbent re-elected | |
53 | Richard Spanbauer | Republican | 2008 | Not running |
|
Incumbent retired New member elected Republican hold | |
54 | Gordon Hintz | Democratic | 2006 | Running |
|
Incumbent re-elected | |
55 | Dean Kaufert | Republican | 1990 | Running |
|
Incumbent re-elected | |
56 | Michelle Litjens | Republican | 2010 | Not running |
|
Incumbent retired New member elected Republican hold | |
57 | Penny Bernard Schaber | Democratic | 2008 | Running |
|
Incumbent re-elected | |
58 | Patricia Strachota | Republican | 2004 | Running |
|
Incumbent re-elected | |
59 | Daniel LeMahieu | Republican | 2002 | Running |
|
Incumbent re-elected | |
60 | Duey Stroebel | Republican | 2011 | Running |
|
Incumbent re-elected | |
61 | Robert L. Turner | Democratic | 1990 | Not running |
|
Incumbent retired New member elected Republican gain | |
62 | Cory Mason | Democratic | 2006 | Ran for 66th district |
|
Incumbent redistricted New member elected Republican gain | |
63 | Robin Vos | Republican | 2004 | Running |
|
Incumbent re-elected | |
64 | Peter Barca | Democratic | 1984 1993 (retired) 2008 |
Running |
|
Incumbent re-elected | |
65 | John Steinbrink | Democratic | 1996 | Ran for 61st district |
|
Incumbent redistricted New member elected Democratic hold | |
66 | Samantha Kerkman | Republican | 2000 | Ran for 61st district |
|
Incumbent redistricted New member elected Democratic gain | |
67 | Tom Larson | Republican | 2010 | Running |
|
Incumbent re-elected | |
68 | Kathy Bernier | Republican | 2010 | Running |
|
Incumbent re-elected | |
69 | Scott Suder | Republican | 1998 | Running |
|
Incumbent re-elected | |
70 | Amy Sue Vruwink | Democratic | 2002 | Running |
|
Incumbent re-elected | |
71 | Louis Molepske | Democratic | 2003 | Ran for district attorney |
|
Incumbent retired to run for district attorney New member elected Democratic hold | |
72 | Scott Krug | Republican | 2010 | Running |
|
Incumbent re-elected | |
73 | Nick Milroy | Democratic | 2008 | Running |
|
Incumbent re-elected | |
74 | Janet Bewley | Democratic | 2010 | Running |
|
Incumbent re-elected | |
75 | Roger Rivard | Republican | 2010 | Running |
|
Incumbent defeated New member elected Democratic gain | |
76 | Terese Berceau | Democratic | 1998 | Ran for 77th district |
|
Incumbent redistricted New member elected Democratic hold | |
77 | Brett Hulsey | Democratic | 2010 | Ran for 78th district |
|
Incumbent redistricted New member elected Democratic hold | |
78 | Mark Pocan | Democratic | 1998 | Ran for U.S. House of Representatives |
|
Incumbent retired to run for U.S. House New member elected Democratic hold | |
79 | Dianne Hesselbein | Democratic | 2012 | Running |
|
Incumbent re-elected | |
80 | Sondy Pope | Democratic | 2002 | Running |
|
Incumbent re-elected | |
81 | Fred Clark | Democratic | 2008 | Running |
|
Incumbent re-elected | |
82 | Jeff Stone | Republican | 1998 | Running |
|
Incumbent re-elected | |
83 | Dave Craig | Republican | 2011 | Running |
|
Incumbent re-elected | |
84 | Mike Kuglitsch | Republican | 2010 | Running |
|
Incumbent re-elected | |
85 | Donna J. Seidel | Democratic | 2004 | Not running |
|
Incumbent retired New member elected Democratic hold | |
86 | --Vacant-- |
|
Incumbent resigned New member elected Republican hold | ||||
87 | Mary Williams | Republican | 2002 | Running |
|
Incumbent re-elected | |
88 | John Klenke | Republican | 2010 | Running |
|
Incumbent re-elected | |
89 | John Nygren | Republican | 2006 | Running |
|
Incumbent re-elected | |
90 | Karl Van Roy | Republican | 2002 | Not running |
|
Incumbent retired New member elected Democratic gain | |
91 | Dana Wachs | Democratic | 2008 | Running |
|
Incumbent re-elected | |
92 | Chris Danou | Democratic | 2008 | Running |
|
Incumbent re-elected | |
93 | Warren Petryk | Republican | 2010 | Running |
|
Incumbent re-elected | |
94 | Steve Doyle | Democratic | 2011 | Running |
|
Incumbent re-elected | |
95 | Jill Billings | Democratic | 2011 | Running |
|
Incumbent re-elected | |
96 | Lee Nerison | Republican | 2004 | Running |
|
Incumbent re-elected | |
97 | Bill Kramer | Republican | 2006 | Running |
|
Incumbent re-elected | |
98 | Paul Farrow | Republican | 2010 | Running |
|
Incumbent re-elected | |
99 | Don Pridemore | Republican | 2004 | Ran for 22nd district |
|
Incumbent redistricted New member elected Republican hold |
See also
editNotes
edit- ^ First elected as a Democrat
References
edit- ^ AP staff reporter (February 11, 2011). "Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker says National Guard ready for any unrest over anti-union bill". Green Bay Press-Gazette. The Associated Press.
- ^ "Milwaukee teachers protest budget-repair bill". www.jsonline.com. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved October 4, 2017.
- ^ "Northeastern Wisconsin residents join Wisconsin budget repair bill protests". Archived from the original on January 24, 2013. Retrieved October 4, 2017.
- ^ "UW teachers, students protest Walker's budget fix". February 14, 2011. Archived from the original on October 5, 2017. Retrieved October 4, 2017.
- ^ "UWM Students Rally Against Budget Proposal". Archived from the original on March 21, 2012. Retrieved October 4, 2017.
- ^ Kelleher, James (February 20, 2011). "Wisconsin gov. sees Democrats returning to debate plan". Reuters. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
- ^ Condon, Stephanie (March 11, 2011). "Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker signs anti-union bill – but Democrats say they're the political victors". CBS News. Retrieved March 12, 2011.
- ^ Liz Halloran (March 8, 2011). "Recall Efforts in Wisconsin Face Tough Odds". National Public Radio. Archived from the original on November 16, 2018. Retrieved May 23, 2011.
- ^ Mary Spicuzza (March 31, 2012). "Recall elections ordered for Walker, Kleefisch, 4 GOP senators". Wisconsin State Journal. Archived from the original on August 18, 2017. Retrieved October 4, 2017.
- ^ Behm, Don (May 3, 2011). "GOP wins 2 of 3 Assembly elections". archive.jsonline.com. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved August 28, 2024.
- ^ Zelizer, Julian E. (June 17, 2016). "The power that gerrymandering has brought to Republicans". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
- ^ Daley, David (2017). Ratf**ked: The True Story Behind the Secret Plan to Steal America's Democracy. New York, NY: Liveright Publishing Corporation. pp. 139–147. ISBN 978-1-63149-321-8.
- ^ Baldus v. Members of the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board, 849 F. Supp. 2d 840 (E.D. Wis. March 22, 2012).
- ^ Daley, David (2017). Ratf**ked: The True Story Behind the Secret Plan to Steal America's Democracy. New York, NY: Liveright Publishing Corporation. pp. 138–139. ISBN 978-1-63149-321-8.
- ^ a b Canvass Results for 2012 Presidential and General Election - 11/6/2012 (Report). Wisconsin Government Accountability Board. December 26, 2012. Retrieved April 13, 2024 – via Wisconsin Historical Society.
- ^ "Two State Legislators Plan To Retire". La Crosse Tribune, April 18, 2012, p. B-2.
- ^ "Rep. Michelle Litjens, a Vinland Republican, won't seek re-election," The Northwestern.com, February 14, 2012 Archived February 16, 2013, at archive.today.
- ^ 'Two State Legislators Plan To Retire,' La Crosse Tribune, April 18, 2012, B-2
- ^ Stephanie Jones (March 28, 2012). "State Rep. Turner not seeking re-election". Racine Journal Times. Retrieved February 10, 2019.
- ^ Channel 3000. "Ziegelbauer Won't Seek 11th Term". Channel 3000. Archived from the original on February 10, 2012. Retrieved August 24, 2015.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Sandler, Larry (December 6, 2011). "Rep. Cullen seeks Milwaukee County Board seat". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
- ^ Jeff Fitzgerald to run for US Senate, thirdage.com, October 11, 2011. Retrieved December 25, 2014.
- ^ Vaccino, Steven."Tommy Thompson Wins G.O.P. Senate Primary Race in Wisconsin", The New York Times, August 15, 2012. Retrieved December 25, 2014.
- ^ "Election Frenzy at national, state, local level". Stevens Point Journal. December 29, 2012. p. A10. Retrieved December 15, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Zinck, Shaun. "Pocan inherits Baldwin's seat". beloitdailynews.com. Beloit Daily News. Retrieved November 9, 2012.
- ^ "Tom Tiffany will seek northern Senate post". Antigo Daily Journal. March 29, 2012. Archived from the original on April 1, 2012. Retrieved May 2, 2020 – via Wayback Machine.
- ^ Kirkby, Sean (November 7, 2012). "Republicans Take State Senate". The Badger Herald. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
- ^ Matt Lehman. "Petrowski to run for State Senate". WSAU, March 21, 2012. Accessed June 25, 2013.
- ^ Wisconsin Government Accountability Board. G.A.B. Canvass Reporting System: Canvass Results for 2012 June 5 Recall Election - 6/5/2012.
- ^ "Communications". State of Wisconsin Assembly Journal. One-Hundredth Regular Session (Thursday, July 5, 2012). Wisconsin Legislature. July 5, 2012. Retrieved April 13, 2012.
External links
edit- Wisconsin Elections Commission
- Wisconsin at Ballotpedia
- Government Documents Round Table of the American Library Association, "Wisconsin", Voting & Elections Toolkits
- "Wisconsin: Election Tools, Deadlines, Dates, Rules, and Links", Vote.org, Oakland, CA
- "League of Women Voters of Wisconsin". September 7, 2017. (State affiliate of the U.S. League of Women Voters)