Winning Assembly candidates (clockwise from top left): Chris Taylor, Dianne Hesselbein, Jimmy Anderson and Lisa Subeck
If there is comfort to be found in Wisconsin becoming a red state in a presidential election for the first time in 32 years it may be that Madison remains 77 square miles surrounded by reality.
Democrats running in state Assembly races representing Dane County residents held on to their seats by wide margins, but statewide failed to narrow the Republican’s 63-36 seat majority in the Legislature’s lower chamber. Republicans successfully defended all their seats and picked up an unexpected win by knocking out Chris Danou from Trempealeau. Democratic incumbent Steve Doyle beat back a challenge from Republican Julian Bradley in District 95.
“I’m disappointed we didn’t make gains in the Legislature, but it tells us something in the electorate has changed in the state,” says Lisa Subeck, who held on to her District 78 seat, which includes parts of far west Madison, Middleton and Verona. She defeated independent challenger Chris Fisher with 79 percent of the vote.
Democrats Chris Taylor and Dianne Hesselbein also kept their seats in Districts 76 and 79, respectively. Taylor’s district stretches from Vilas Park Drive on the west side across the isthmus to Anderson Street on the north side. Hesselbein represents parts of Middleton, Cross Plains, Waunakee, the town of Burke and a large swath north of Madison. Two other Madison Democratic Assembly members — Terese Berceau and Melissa Sargent, both Democrats — ran unopposed.
An open District 47 seat — which includes portions of Monona, McFarland and Fitchburg — went to Democrat Jimmy Anderson, who took 69 percent of the vote. His seat had been held by two-term incumbent Robb Kahl, who decided not to run for re-election.
“I’m incredibly proud to have earned the support of the people of the 47th District and I’m going to work like hell to fight for their values,” says Anderson, who was paralyzed from the neck down after being struck by a drunk driver.
In one of the most closely watched Assembly races, Jeff Wright, one of three Democratic Assembly candidates endorsed by President Barack Obama, failed to unseat GOP incumbent Todd Novak, the only openly gay Republican state legislator in the country.
“I was out knocking on doors in the 51st, and it sounded like there was a lot of excitement around Jeff Wright,” says Subeck. “But it’s hard to look at individual races in isolation given what happened at the top of the ticket.”
Another open seat in play, District 85, went to Patrick Snyder, who defeated Wausau Democrat Mandy Wright, who netted 47 percent of the vote.
Meanwhile, in the state Senate, Republicans picked up at least one seat to increase their majority to 20 seats. Democrat Julie Lassa of Stevens Point lost her race to GOP challenger Pat Testin. Minority leader Jennifer Shilling’s race against former challenger Dan Kapanke is too close to call, with Shilling leading by 58 votes. A recount is possible.