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2008 Wisconsin State Assembly election

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2008 Wisconsin State Assembly election

← 2006 November 4, 2008 2010 →

All 99 seats in the Wisconsin State Assembly
50 seats needed for a majority
  Majority party Minority party
 
Leader James Kreuser
(retired)
Michael Huebsch
Party Democratic Republican
Leader's seat 64thKenosha 94thWest Salem
Last election 47 seats, TBD% 52 seats, TBD%
Seats before 47 51
Seats won 52 46
Seat change Increase5 Decrease5
Popular vote 1,478,815 1,161,265
Percentage 55.31% 43.43%

  Third party
 
Party Independent
Last election N/A
Seats before 1
Seats won 1
Seat change Steady
Popular vote 26,037
Percentage 0.97%

Results:
     Democratic hold      Democratic gain
     Republican hold
     Independent hold

Speaker before election

Michael Huebsch
Republican

Elected Speaker

Michael J. Sheridan
Democratic

The 2008 Wisconsin State Assembly election was held on Tuesday, November 4, 2008. All 99 seats in the Wisconsin State Assembly were up for election. Before the election, 51 Assembly seats were held by Republicans and 47 seats were held by Democrats. The primary was held on September 9, 2008.[1]

Democrats flipped five Republican-held seats and took the Assembly majority for the first time since 1994. They entered the 98th Wisconsin Legislature with 52 of 99 Assembly seats.

Background

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Results summary

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Seats Party
(majority caucus shading)
Total
Democratic Independent Republican
Last election (2006) 47 0 52 99
Total after last election (2006) 47 0 52 99
Total before this election 47 1 51 99
Up for election 47 1 51 99
of which: Incumbent retired 5 0 6 11
Vacated 0 0 0 0
Unopposed 20 0 4 24
This election 52 1 46 99
Change from last election Increase 5 Increase 1 Decrease 6 Steady
Total after this election 52 1 46 99
Change in total Decrease 3 Steady Increase 3 Steady
Popular vote
Democratic
55.31%
Republican
43.43%
Independent
0.97%
Libertarian
0.29%
Assembly seats
Democratic
52.53%
Republican
46.46%
Independent
1.01%

Close races

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Seats where the margin of victory was under 10%:

  1. State Assembly district 47, 0.07%
  2. State Assembly district 34, 0.64%
  3. State Assembly district 67, 0.73%
  4. State Assembly district 68, 0.88% (gain)
  5. State Assembly district 87, 0.9%
  6. State Assembly district 43, 2.42%
  7. State Assembly district 1, 2.74%
  8. State Assembly district 96, 3.46%
  9. State Assembly district 36, 3.59%
  10. State Assembly district 2, 4.3% (gain)
  11. State Assembly district 21, 5%
  12. State Assembly district 4, 5.53%
  13. State Assembly district 92, 6.51% (gain)
  14. State Assembly district 89, 7.14%
  15. State Assembly district 90, 7.47%
  16. State Assembly district 55, 7.86%
  17. State Assembly district 49, 8.06%
  18. State Assembly district 94, 8.13%
  19. State Assembly district 97, 9.35%
  20. State Assembly district 30, 9.57%

Outgoing incumbents

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Retiring

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Seeking other office

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Race summary

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District Incumbent This race[c][8]
Member Party First elected Status Candidates Results
1 Garey Bies Republican 2000 Ran
  • Green tickYGarey Bies (Rep.) 51.33%
  • Dick Skare (Dem.) 48.59%
Incumbent re-elected
2 Frank Lasee Republican 1994 Ran
Incumbent defeated. New member elected Democratic gain.
3 Al Ott Republican 1986 Ran
  • Green tickYAl Ott (Rep.) 58.26%
  • Justin Krueger (Dem.) 41.67%
Incumbent re-elected
4 Phil Montgomery Republican 1998 Ran
Incumbent re-elected
5 Tom Nelson Democratic 2004 Ran
Incumbent re-elected
6 Gary Tauchen Republican 2006 Ran
Incumbent re-elected
7 Peggy Krusick Democratic 1983 (special) Ran
  • Green tickYPeggy Krusick (Dem.) 59.53%
  • Corrine Wiesmueller (Rep.) 38.01%
  • Brad Sponholz (Lib.) 2.35%
Incumbent re-elected
8 Pedro Colón Democratic 1998 Ran
Incumbent re-elected
9 Josh Zepnick Democratic 2002 Ran
Incumbent re-elected
10 Annette Polly Williams Democratic 1980[d] Ran
Incumbent re-elected
11 Jason Fields Democratic 2004 Ran
Incumbent re-elected
12 Fred Kessler Democratic 1960
1962 (retired)
1964
1972 (retired)
2004
Ran
Incumbent re-elected
13 David Cullen Democratic 1990 (special) Ran
Incumbent re-elected
14 Leah Vukmir Republican 2002 (special) Ran
  • Green tickYLeah Vukmir (Rep.) 62.28%
  • Dave Hucke (Dem.) 37.55%
Incumbent re-elected
15 Tony Staskunas Democratic 1996 Ran
Incumbent re-elected
16 Leon Young Democratic 1992 Ran
Incumbent re-elected
17 Barbara Toles Democratic 2004 (special) Ran
Incumbent re-elected
18 Tamara Grigsby Democratic 2004 Ran
Incumbent re-elected
19 Jon Richards Democratic 1998 Ran
Incumbent re-elected
20 Christine Sinicki Democratic 1998 Ran
Incumbent re-elected
21 Mark Honadel Republican 2003 (special) Ran
Incumbent re-elected
22 Sheldon Wasserman Democratic 1994 Ran for State Senate
  • Green tickYSandy Pasch (Dem.) 67.06%
  • Yash P. Wadhwa (Rep.) 32.77%
Incumbent retired. New member elected Democratic hold.
23 Jim Ott Republican 2006 Ran
  • Green tickYJim Ott (Rep.) 57.83%
  • Rene Settle-Robinson (Dem.) 42.10%
Incumbent re-elected
24 Suzanne Jeskewitz Republican 1996 Incumbent retired
  • Green tickYDan Knodl (Rep.) 61.88%
  • Charlene S. Brady (Dem.) 37.90%
Incumbent retired. New member elected Republican hold.
25 Bob Ziegelbauer Democratic 1992 Ran
Incumbent re-elected
26 Terry Van Akkeren Democratic 2002 Ran
Incumbent re-elected
27 Steve Kestell Republican 1998 Ran
Incumbent re-elected
28 Ann Hraychuck Democratic 2006 Ran
Incumbent re-elected
29 John Murtha Republican 2006 Ran
  • Green tickYJohn Murtha (Rep.) 53.38%
  • Chris Buckel (Dem.) 42.73%
  • Craig Mohn (Lib.) 3.80%
Incumbent re-elected
30 Kitty Rhoades Republican 1998 Ran
Incumbent re-elected
31 Stephen Nass Republican 1990 Ran
  • Green tickYStephen Nass (Rep.) 66.66%
  • Frank E. Urban (Dem.) 33.22%
Incumbent re-elected
32 Thomas Lothian Republican 2002 Ran
  • Green tickYThomas Lothian (Rep.) 51.65%
  • Doug A. Harrod (Dem.) 41.23%
  • John K. Finley (Ind.) 7.40%
Incumbent re-elected
33 Scott Newcomer Republican 2005 (special) Ran
Incumbent re-elected
34 Dan Meyer Republican 1998 Ran
  • Green tickYDan Meyer (Rep.) 50.28%
  • Paul Tubbs (Dem.) 49.64%
Incumbent re-elected
35 Donald Friske Republican 2000 Ran
Incumbent re-elected
36 Jeffrey Mursau Republican 2004 Ran
Incumbent re-elected
37 Andy Jorgensen Democratic 2006 Ran
Incumbent re-elected
38 Joel Kleefisch Republican 2004 Ran
Incumbent re-elected
39 Jeff Fitzgerald Republican 2000 Ran
Incumbent re-elected
40 Kevin David Petersen Republican 2006 Ran
Incumbent re-elected
41 Joan Ballweg Republican 2004 Ran
  • Green tickYJoan Ballweg (Rep.) 62.78%
  • Scott Milheiser (Dem.) 37.14%
Incumbent re-elected
42 Jacob Hines Republican 2001 (special) Ran
Incumbent defeated. New member elected Democratic gain.
43 Kim Hixson Democratic 2006 Ran
  • Green tickYKim Hixson (Dem.) 51.16%
  • Debi Towns (Rep.) 48.74%
Incumbent re-elected
44 Michael J. Sheridan Democratic 2004 Ran
Incumbent re-elected
45 Chuck Benedict Democratic 2004 Ran
Incumbent re-elected
46 Gary Hebl Democratic 2004 Ran
  • Green tickYGary Hebl (Dem.) 66.28%
  • Kathy Maves (Rep.) 33.70%
Incumbent re-elected
47 Eugene Hahn Republican 1990 Incumbent retired
  • Green tickYKeith Ripp (Rep.) 47.87%
  • Trish O'Neil (Dem.) 47.80%
  • Dennis E. Hruby (Ind.) 4.30%
Incumbent retired. New member elected Republican hold.
48 Joe Parisi Democratic 2004 Ran
Incumbent re-elected
49 Phil Garthwaite Democratic 2006 Ran
Incumbent re-elected
50 Sheryl Albers Republican 1991 (special) Incumbent retired
  • Green tickYEd Brooks (Rep.) 56.20%
  • Tom Crofton (Dem.) 43.73%
Incumbent retired. New member elected Republican hold.
51 Steve Hilgenberg Democratic 2006 Ran
Incumbent re-elected
52 John Townsend Republican 1998 Ran
  • Green tickYJohn Townsend (Rep.) 57.92%
  • Jerry Keifenheim (Dem.) 42.02%
Incumbent re-elected
53 Carol Owens Republican 1992 Incumbent retired
Incumbent retired. New member elected Republican hold.
54 Gordon Hintz Democratic 2006 Ran
Incumbent re-elected
55 Dean Kaufert Republican 1991 Ran
  • Green tickYDean Kaufert (Rep.) 53.88%
  • Mark Westphal (Dem.) 46.02%
Incumbent re-elected
56 Roger Roth Republican 2006 Ran
  • Green tickYRoger Roth (Rep.) 59.66%
  • Susan Garcia Franz (Dem.) 40.24%
Incumbent re-elected
57 Steve Wieckert Republican 1996 Incumbent retired
Incumbent retired. New member elected Democratic gain.
58 Patricia Strachota Republican 2004 Ran
Incumbent re-elected
59 Daniel LeMahieu Republican 2002 Ran
Incumbent re-elected
60 Mark Gottlieb Republican 2002 Ran
Incumbent re-elected
61 Robert L. Turner Democratic 1990 Ran
Incumbent re-elected
62 Cory Mason Democratic 2006 Ran
  • Green tickYCory Mason (Dem.) 84.54%
  • Keith Deschler (Lib.) 15.20%
Incumbent re-elected
63 Robin Vos Republican 2004 Ran
  • Green tickYRobin Vos (Rep.) 61.51%
  • Linda Flashinski (Dem.) 38.45%
Incumbent re-elected
64 James Kreuser Democratic 1993 (special) Retired to serve as Kenosha County Executive
Incumbent retired. New member elected Democratic hold.
65 John Steinbrink Democratic 1996 Ran
Incumbent re-elected
66 Samantha Kerkman Republican 2000 Ran
Incumbent re-elected
67 Jeffrey Wood Independent 2002[e] Ran
Incumbent re-elected
68 Terry Moulton Republican 2004 Ran
Incumbent defeated. New member elected Democratic gain.
69 Scott Suder Republican 1998 Ran
  • Green tickYScott Suder (Rep.) 59.46%
  • Tim Swiggum (Dem.) 40.51%
Incumbent re-elected
70 Amy Sue Vruwink Democratic 2002 Ran
Incumbent re-elected
71 Louis Molepske Democratic 2003 (special) Ran
Incumbent re-elected
72 Marlin Schneider Democratic 1970[f] Ran
Incumbent re-elected
73 Frank Boyle Democratic 1986 Incumbent retired
  • Green tickYNick Milroy (Dem.) 80.76%
  • Jeffrey Monaghan (Ind.) 18.69%
Incumbent retired. New member elected Democratic hold.
74 Gary Sherman Democratic 1998 Ran
  • Green tickYGary Sherman (Dem.) 62.38%
  • Shirl LaBarre (Rep.) 37.58%
Incumbent re-elected
75 Mary Hubler Democratic 1984 Ran
Incumbent re-elected
76 Terese Berceau Democratic 1998 Ran
Incumbent re-elected
77 Spencer Black Democratic 1984 Ran
Incumbent re-elected
78 Mark Pocan Democratic 1998 Ran
Incumbent re-elected
79 Sondy Pope Democratic 2002 Ran
  • Green tickYSondy Pope (Dem.) 66.71%
  • Carl Skalitzky (Rep.) 33.22%
Incumbent re-elected
80 Brett Davis Republican 2004 Ran
  • Green tickYBrett Davis (Rep.) 56.10%
  • John Waelti (Dem.) 43.86%
Incumbent re-elected
81 David Travis Democratic 1978 Incumbent retired
Incumbent retired. New member elected Democratic hold.
82 Jeff Stone Republican 1998 (special) Ran
Incumbent re-elected
83 Scott Gunderson Republican 1994 Ran
Incumbent re-elected
84 Mark Gundrum Republican 1998 Ran
Incumbent re-elected
85 Donna Seidel Democratic 2004 Ran
  • Green tickYDonna Seidel (Dem.) 64.08%
  • Jess F. Kufahl (Rep.) 35.81%
Incumbent re-elected
86 Jerry Petrowski Republican 1998 Ran
Incumbent re-elected
87 Mary Williams Republican 2002 Ran
Incumbent re-elected
88 James Soletski Democratic 2006 Ran
Incumbent re-elected
89 John Nygren Republican 2006 Ran
  • Green tickYJohn Nygren (Rep.) 53.54%
  • Randy Koehn (Dem.) 46.40%
Incumbent re-elected
90 Karl Van Roy Republican 2002 Ran
  • Green tickYKarl Van Roy (Rep.) 53.70%
  • Lou Ann Weix (Dem.) 46.23%
Incumbent re-elected
91 Barbara Gronemus Democratic 1982 Incumbent retired
  • Green tickYChris Danou (Dem.) 53.70%
  • Dave Hegenbarth (Rep.) 42.97%
  • Paul A. Beseler (Ind.) 2.64%
  • Ted Burleson (Lib.) 0.95%
Incumbent retired. New member elected Democratic hold.
92 Terry Musser Republican 1984 Incumbent retired
Incumbent retired. New member elected Democratic gain.
93 Jeff Smith Democratic 2006 Ran
  • Green tickYJeff Smith (Dem.) 59.35%
  • Darcy Fields (Rep.) 40.52%
Incumbent re-elected
94 Michael Huebsch Republican 1994 Ran
Incumbent re-elected
95 Jennifer Shilling Democratic 2000 Ran
Incumbent re-elected
96 Lee Nerison Republican 2004 Ran
  • Green tickYLee Nerison (Rep.) 51.72%
  • Dale Klemme (Dem.) 48.26%
Incumbent re-elected
97 Bill Kramer Republican 2006 Ran
  • Green tickYBill Kramer (Rep.) 54.62%
  • Ruth Page Jones (Dem.) 45.27%
Incumbent re-elected
98 Rich Zipperer Republican 2006 Ran
Incumbent re-elected
99 Don Pridemore Republican 2004 Ran
Incumbent re-elected

Aftermath

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With this election Democrats held a trifecta in the Wisconsin government for the first time since 1982, when Tony Earl was elected governor of Wisconsin.

As of 2024, this is the last time Democrats gained a trifecta in Wisconsin, as despite winning the popular vote several times in following elections, a Republican instituted gerrymander in 2011, in addition to low voter turnout, prevented Democrats from gaining a majority of seats.[9]

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ First elected to the 43rd district in 1982
  2. ^ Served the 37th district from 1979–1983 and the 93rd district from 1983–1985
  3. ^ Not all totals add up to 100% due to scattering
  4. ^ Elected to the 17th district in 1980 and 1984, the 11th in 1982, and the 10th in 1992
  5. ^ First elected as a Republican
  6. ^ Elected to Wood County's 2nd district in 1970, the 59th district in 1972, the 59th district in 1982, and the 72nd in 1984

References

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  1. ^ "State of Wisconsin Blue Book 2009-2010". University of Wisconsin-Madison Libraries. pp. 920–922. Retrieved March 19, 2024.
  2. ^ "Wisconsin Frank Boyle Announces Retirement". Archived from the original on 2014-02-01. Retrieved 2014-01-20.
  3. ^ Walters, Steven. "Musser is 11th Assembly member to not seek re-election". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Archived from the original on October 10, 2009. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  4. ^ "Travis won't seek Assembly re-election". Wisconsin State Journal. May 17, 2007. p. 3. Retrieved October 25, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ Jim Collar "Appleton's Steve Wieckert announces retirement from Assembly Archived 2012-09-07 at archive.today" Appleton Post-Crescent March 22, 2008.
  6. ^ Lund, Steve (March 27, 2008). "Kreuser's decision kills dreams of Kenosha clout". Kenosha News. p. 17. Retrieved August 28, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ Borowski, Greg J. (October 14, 2008). "Candidates vie over best fit for 8th District". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Archived from the original on November 25, 2009. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
  8. ^ "Wisconsin Bluebook 2009/2010". University of Wisconsin-Madison Libraries. pp. 923–925. Retrieved March 19, 2024.
  9. ^ "How the 2011 political district map changed the game for Wisconsin". Wisconsin Public Radio. Retrieved June 29, 2024.