Results and Observations of the 2006 Wisconsin General Election 
Governor Doyle Wins Re-election and
Democrats Take Control of the State Senate
In addition to voting for U.S. Congressional Representatives, Wisconsin voters went to the polls on Election Day 2006 to select a Governor, all 99 members of the State Assembly and half of the 33 State Senators. The results were extremely favorable for Governor Doyle and other Democrats in the legislature. Here is a summary of the results:
- Democratic Governor Jim Doyle was reelected to a 4 year term by a comfortable margin over U.S. Congressman Mark Green.
- Republican Attorney General candidate J.B. Van Hollen won by a narrow margin of his opponent, Kathleen Falk.
- Democrat Steve Kagen, a Green Bay area physician beat Assembly Speaker John Gard in the 8th Congressional District (the Green Bay area).
- The Wisconsin State Senate flipped to Democratic control 18-15.
- The Wisconsin State Assembly remains in Republican control, but Democrats pick up 7 seats. The Republican margin is narrowed to 53-46.
Election Day in Wisconsin was very positive for many Democratic candidates. The desire of voters to change direction nationally also impacted Wisconsin politics with Republicans losing several seats in the State Assembly and Democrats gaining control of the State Senate.
The exception to the Democratic tidal wave which occurred on Election Day was the race for Wisconsin’s Attorney General. Republican candidate J.B. Van Hollen, former United States Attorney, defeated Kathleen Falk, Dane County Executive, who was encouraged to run by Governor Doyle. With the difference in vote totals less than 10,000 out of 2.1 million cast, this race was extremely close. Benefiting Van Hollen were significant independent campaign expenditures by the Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce (”WMC”), his experience as a federal prosecutor, possibly the immigration issue, and some resentment by liberal Democrats that Falk challenged and defeated incumbent Democratic Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager.
In addition to the elections, a state Constitutional amendment banning gay marriage was approved overwhelmingly by Wisconsin voters. An advisory referendum on the death penalty was also approved, though it may be considered “dead on arrival” with the new Democratic Majority in the State Senate.
What will the split in legislative power mean for the citizens of Wisconsin? The general expectation is that with a Democrat as Governor, a democratically controlled Senate and a Republican Assembly, gridlock will be the result. However, some political observers believe the division of power will lead to more inclusive budget process, less control by party extremists and a general desire to get things done.
How will the election results impact MCTA members? The short answer is very little. MCTA has developed and maintained a very good relationship with the Governor and his administration. We can expect continued access to the Governor and his staff as well as continued commitment from the Governor to discuss the concerns of the taxpayers in Menomonee County. With regard to the legislative leadership, we have a great relationship with the current Republican majority in the Assembly and have several supporters in the new Democratic majority in the Senate. The 2007 Legislative Session begins in January of 2007. The ultimate impact of the 2006 Fall Elections will play out at that time.
Peter J. Theo
MCTA Lobbyist
Breakdown of the
2006 State Elections
GOVERNOR
Jim Doyle became the first Democrat to be reelected Governor in 32 years, drawing 52.7% to 45.4% for Republican Mark Green. In 2002, Doyle drew under 50% of the vote due to the presence of an independent candidate. Recent polls had put the margin much closer than the outcome that occurred.
ATTORNEY GENERAL
Republican J.B. Van Hollen garnered roughly 9,000 more votes than Democrat Kathleen Falk out of roughly 2.1 million votes cast. Falk had defeated incumbent Peg Lautenschlager in the Democratic primary in September, but Van Hollen used the same intensive media campaign in the general election which propelled him to victory in the primary.
STATE TREASURER
Incumbent Republican Jack Voight lost by roughly 8,200 votes to Democrat Dawn Marie Sass, a Milwaukee-area union official.
8th CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
Allergist Steven Kagen (D-Appleton) outpolled Assembly Speaker John Gard (R-Peshtigo) by roughly 6,500 votes out of 275,000 total votes cast to capture the 8th district Congressional seat vacated by Republican Mark Green. The district has voted heavily Republican in previous elections.
WISCONSIN SENATE
Democrats defeated three incumbent Republicans and captured the only open seat en route to retaking control of the Senate by a margin of 18-15. First term incumbents Sen. Tom Reynolds (R-West Allis) and Ron Brown (R-Eau Claire) were defeated, along with veteran Republican Sen. Dave Zien (R-Eau Claire). In the only open seat, State Rep. John Lehman (D-Racine) defeated Republican Bill McReynolds, a Republican, to replace retiring Sen. Cathy Stepp (R-Racine).
Here are brief profiles of the new members of the Senate:
Pat Kreitlow (D-Eau Claire) is a former television anchor (WEAU Channel 13, an NBC affiliate) in Eau Claire and is married to a physician. Kreitlow’s margin of victory was 1096 votes out of just over 62,000 votes cast. As noted previously, Kreitlow defeated Sen. Dave Zien (R-Eau Claire).
John Lehman (D-Racine) was a high school history and economics teacher who has served five terms in the Wisconsin Assembly. Lehman defeated Bill McReynolds.
Jim Sullivan (D-Wauwatosa) is a lawyer and Wauwatosa City Council member. Sullivan’s margin of victory was 658 votes out of just over 55,000 votes cast. Sullivan defeated Sen. Tom Reynolds (R-West Allis).
Kathleen Vinehout (D-Alma) is a farmer and has worked as a lobbyist for the Wisconsin Farmers Union. Vinehout defeated Sen. Ron Brown (R-Eau Claire).
WISCONSIN ASSEMBLY
Democrats had a net gain of seven seats to shave the Republican majority from 60-39 to 53-46. Five incumbent Republicans were defeated and Democrats captured two open Republican seats. There are several incumbents who prevailed by narrow margins, which could further alter the margin of control. Rep. Debi Towns (R-Janesville) apparently won by 6 votes, and there are several other races where the final margin was under 500 votes.
Going down to defeat were Reps. Steve Freese (R-Dodgeville), Judy Krawczyk (R-Green Bay), Robin Kreibich (R-Eau Claire), Gabe Loeffelholz (R-Platteville), and Mark Pettis (R-Hertel). Democrats also captured the open Republican seats vacated by former Rep. Dave Ward (R-Fort Atkinson) and by Rep. Gregg Underheim (R-Oshkosh).
Here are brief profiles of the new members of the Assembly:
Phil Garthwaite (D-Fennimore) is a 5th generation dairy farmer and a former radio personality. He was formerly licensed as an auctioneer. He defeated Rep. Gabe Loeffelholz.
Steve Hilgenberg (D-Dodgeville) owned a printing business in Dodgeville for more than 25 years before selling it to an employee in 2000; he still works there part-time. Hilgenberg also served for 7 years on the Dodgeville school board. He defeated Rep. Steve Freese (R-Dodgeville).
Gordon Hintz (D-Oshkosh) worked as a staffer in the US House and Senate and taught political science at UW-Oshkosh during the 2005-2006 academic year. He replaces retiring Rep. Gregg Underheim (R-Oshkosh).
Ann Hraychuck (D-Balsam Lake) served two terms as the Sheriff of Polk County and is an active hunter. She defeated Rep. Mark Pettis (R-Hertel)
Andy Jorgensen (D-Fort Atkinson) is a former radio personality who has worked for General Motors for the past 11 years and is active in UAW Local 95. He replaces former Rep. David Ward (R-Fort Atkinson)
Bill Kramer (R-Waukesha) is a lawyer who works as a financial planner. He replaces former Rep. Dan Vrakas (R-Hartland), who resigned following his election as Waukesha County Executive earlier this year.
Cory Mason (D-Racine) is a former Capitol staffer who worked for former State Sen. Lynn Adelman (D-New Berlin) and Sen. Judy Robson (D-Beloit). Most recently he has worked for AFT-Wisconsin. He replaces Rep. John Lehman (R-Racine), who was elected to the State Senate.
John Murtha (R-Baldwin) owns refuse hauling service which serves homes and businesses. He replaces Rep. Andy Lamb (R-Menomonie), who did not seek reelection. Murtha’s margin is roughly 700 votes, with 7 of 42 precincts not yet reporting.
John Nygren (R-Marinette) is an insurance agent and formerly owned and operated a restaurant. He replaces Assembly Speaker John Gard (R-Peshtigo), who ran for Congress.
Jim Ott (R-Mequon) is a former television meteorologist (WTMJ Channel 4 in Milwaukee, an NBC affiliate). He replaces Rep. Curt Gielow (R-Mequon), who did not seek reelection.
Kevin Peterson (R-Waupaca) owns Dave’s Electronic Repair in Waupaca. He replaces Rep. Jean Hundertmark (R-Clintonville), who ran for Lt. Governor.
Roger Roth (R-Appleton) owns construction and development companies in Appleton. He is the nephew of former US Rep. Toby Roth (R-Appleton). Roth replaces Rep. Terri McCormick (R-Appleton), who ran for Congress but lost the Republican primary to Speaker John Gard (R-Peshtigo).
Jeff Smith (D-Eau Claire) owns and operates Bob Smith Window Cleaning, which his father founded in 1954. He defeated Rep. Robin Kreibich (R-Eau Claire). The margin was 316 votes.
James Soletski (D-Green Bay) worked 33 years for a Green Bay-area utility before retiring earlier this year. He defeated Rep. Judy Krawczyk (R-Green Bay). With all precincts counted, the margin was 78 votes.
Gary Tauchen (R-Shawano) is a dairy farmer and local M&I Bank director. He replaces Rep. John Ainsworth (R-Shawano), who did not seek reelection.
Rich Zipperer (R-Pewaukee) is a former staffer for US Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wisconsin). He replaces former Rep. Scott Jensen (R-Waukesha), who resigned earlier this year following his conviction on charges arising from the caucus scandal.
Conclusion:
The Assembly Republicans have lost 7 seats from their 60-39 majority. Four additional Republican seats came very close to falling to the Democratic candidate. Assembly republicans will undergo a tremendous change in leadership by the start of the 2007 session. They must elect a new Speaker of the Assembly, as the current Speaker John Gard ran for Congress and lost. They must also elect a new Speaker Pro-Temp, as Steve Freese lost his reelection to the State Assembly. Also, they will have to elect a new Majority Leader; given the fact the current leader Mike Huebsch will likely be the next Speaker of the Assembly.
In the Senate, the new majority Democrats will have to elect Majority Leaders, Senate President and replace all committee chairs with their own. Remember, the majority party controls the agenda and selects the chairs of all standing committees. The start of the 2007 two year session begins in January. It remains to be seen how the two parties work with one another.
Peter J. Theo
MCTA Lobbyist
