Folks, polls are now closed for the Spring Election in Wisconsin.
I’ll be tracking the results, adding information we pick up along the way in the comments below.
The results here in Milwaukee are what we’re going to know best, but there’s so much happening all over the state, and so much to be learned from all of those results.
That means we want to hear from you, too! Let us know what you’re seeing out there.
ALSO: Endless gratitude to all of the election workers across the state! Thank you so much for what you do. You’re all heroes.
Time to count ‘em up, Wisconsin! Let’s recombobulate.
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Huge L for Dale Kooyenga and the MMAC, with the MPS referendum passing. First big race for the regional business lobby's new leader and the well-funded opposition comes up short.
One thing I'll be watching tonight: The "Uninstructed" vote. In Minnesota's recent primary, the "uncommitted" vote got 19% of the Democratic presidential primary vote. Will it be higher in Wisconsin?
Liz Sumner is going to win the race for Milwaukee County Comptroller and Bill Christianson is going to win the race for City Comptroller, both with more than 60% of the vote.
The "Listen to Wisconsin" campaign encouraging an "Uninstructed" vote in the Democratic presidential primary had the goal of 20,000 votes. They'll likely *double* that, but remain <10%.
But "Uninstructed" will also likely reach 20,000 votes on the *Republican* side. At about 4%. (per AP)
With today's MPS referendum getting 51% support compared to 2020's getting 77%, I'm not so sure that's a big loss for MMAC and Dale Kooyenga. Sure, spending $400,000 to lose a race is bad, but their PR had a huge impact in narrowing the gap between pro-referendum and anti-referendum voters. Unless there was strong opposition to the 2020 referendum I'm forgetting, I'd say they almost put a check on Milwaukee left-leaning political groups who supported the referendum. Obviously alot of Milwaukeeans will feel a financial strain from this referendum passing. Maybe my thinking is too wishful, but I'd expect a much a wider margin of victory from the City of Milwaukee. Happy to entertain holes in my thinking though.
I'd be curious to learn more about the recent history of the MMAC. Like a thorough investigation of their doings over the past 10 to 20 years. Where has their effective political involvement been? What is their relationship, politically, with orgs like the Greater Milwaukee Committee or WMC? Have they been so heavily involved in other ballot initiatives in the past? If not, are they manifesting new Country Club Republicanism Milwaukeeans need to remain vigilant to?
From numbers knower Andy Suchorski (formerly of the Crowley camp): "I'd be stunned if the absentees weren't more favorable than the e-day votes. Should pass."
I ran a few numbers, and with 270 of 273 precincts reporting, three Dane County wards voted more than 50% against Biden (summing Uninstructed, Phillips, and Write-In), all of which are dominated by students:
- Madison Ward 46: 48.3% Biden, 51.7% against
- Madison Ward 48: 49.2% Biden, 50.8% against
- Madison Ward 60: 48.9% Biden, 51.1% against
(techcnically Ward 161 had exactly 1 voter who voted Uninstructed)
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Evan Goyke is on track to win the race for Milwaukee City Attorney by a substantial margin.
Quick reminder that our KICK ROCKS sale is still going! You can get 30% off a subscription, thanks to our friend Derrick Van Orden, who told me to kick rocks.
This has led to our best day for new subscribers this year.
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JUST IN: The MPS referendum is going to pass.
Huge L for Dale Kooyenga and the MMAC, with the MPS referendum passing. First big race for the regional business lobby's new leader and the well-funded opposition comes up short.
Always here for MMAC taking an L
Two WisRed-backed candidates will lose in the Elmbrook School Board race (background: https://wuwm.com/2024-03-28/gop-backed-candidates-dominate-most-waukesha-county-school-boards-elmbrook-could-be-next)
Still a whole lot of deep red in Waukesha County, but the eastern part is a bit different nowadays.
As expected, Cavalier Johnson and David Crowley will be re-elected in Milwaukee.
One thing I'll be watching tonight: The "Uninstructed" vote. In Minnesota's recent primary, the "uncommitted" vote got 19% of the Democratic presidential primary vote. Will it be higher in Wisconsin?
It’s early of course, but right now, WKOW shows “uninstructed” polling at about 10% for Dems and 2% for the GOP.
The MPS referendum is going to be extraordinarily close.
Liz Sumner is going to win the race for Milwaukee County Comptroller and Bill Christianson is going to win the race for City Comptroller, both with more than 60% of the vote.
Now, let's stop electing comptrollers.
Some City of Milwaukee results:
- 7 Milwaukee Common Council races were uncontested
- Incumbents Jonathan Brostoff, Bob Bauman, Lamont Westmoreland, Milele Coggs, JoCasta Zamarripa will be re-elected
- Open seats will be won by DiAndre Jackson (D7), Sharlen Moore (D10), Peter Burgelis (D11)
I'm most interested in the constitutional amendments. They could be really damaging, and yet I don't think people have been aware enough about them.
I wrote a lot about the two statewide referendum questions and why people should vote “no”, but I fully expect both to pass.
I think it a fair question, a time when the state Dem party is well funded, why more resources were not invested in trying to defeat them.
The Dems were very late to take a position on them - unfortunately. The League of Women Voters worked hard to educate the voters but it’s tough.
Thanks Dan, for all your hard work. It is very appreciated.
I look forward to seeing all of the results
Nikki Haley is at about 13% in the statewide vote for the Republican presidential primary. Her best counties so far:
- Dane (24%)
- Ozaukee (17%)
- La Crosse (17%)
- Milwaukee (17%)
"Uninstructed" is at about 9% in the Democratic presidential primary in Wisconsin. Its best counties:
- Dane (15%)
- Milwaukee (14%)
- Vernon (12%)
The "Listen to Wisconsin" campaign encouraging an "Uninstructed" vote in the Democratic presidential primary had the goal of 20,000 votes. They'll likely *double* that, but remain <10%.
But "Uninstructed" will also likely reach 20,000 votes on the *Republican* side. At about 4%. (per AP)
Some Milwaukee County results
- 13 seats uncontested, including three open seats
- Incumbents Sheldon Wasserman and Patti Logsdon win close races, Caroline Gomez-Tom and Deanna Alexander by larger margins
- Jack Eckblad significant win over Ron Jansen (Ryan Clancy's former seat)
Hearing the Logsdon race is not necessarily over, with absentee ballots still incoming from central count in Franklin.
A tough one: Looks like Wausau Mayor Katie Rosenberg will lose her race for re-election. https://x.com/robertmentzer/status/1775351034254184595?s=20
Ugh, that really sucks.
Nooooooooo! That’s a sad loss up there. Marathon county needed her there
Wisconsin presidential primary numbers with >55% in (per AP):
Republican: Trump at 78%. Haley with >13%, DeSantis 3.5%.
Democratic: Biden at 87.5%. Uninstructed 9.5%, Dean Phillips 3%.
The AP has called the race for the two statewide referendum questions to amend the Wisconsin Constitution. Both will pass.
Damn
With today's MPS referendum getting 51% support compared to 2020's getting 77%, I'm not so sure that's a big loss for MMAC and Dale Kooyenga. Sure, spending $400,000 to lose a race is bad, but their PR had a huge impact in narrowing the gap between pro-referendum and anti-referendum voters. Unless there was strong opposition to the 2020 referendum I'm forgetting, I'd say they almost put a check on Milwaukee left-leaning political groups who supported the referendum. Obviously alot of Milwaukeeans will feel a financial strain from this referendum passing. Maybe my thinking is too wishful, but I'd expect a much a wider margin of victory from the City of Milwaukee. Happy to entertain holes in my thinking though.
I'd be curious to learn more about the recent history of the MMAC. Like a thorough investigation of their doings over the past 10 to 20 years. Where has their effective political involvement been? What is their relationship, politically, with orgs like the Greater Milwaukee Committee or WMC? Have they been so heavily involved in other ballot initiatives in the past? If not, are they manifesting new Country Club Republicanism Milwaukeeans need to remain vigilant to?
Am I reading these tweets right that the 25k absentee ballots at central count in MKE won't be finished tabulating until at least 10pm?
Yes and that's actually earlier than what I was hearing earlier today.
So all of those 25k are not in the count yet?
That's my understanding.
Seems like that's gotta be a good thing for the MPS referendum "Yes" vote
From numbers knower Andy Suchorski (formerly of the Crowley camp): "I'd be stunned if the absentees weren't more favorable than the e-day votes. Should pass."
Absentees just dropped. "Yes" now leading by just over 1700. Two wards left to report.
I ran a few numbers, and with 270 of 273 precincts reporting, three Dane County wards voted more than 50% against Biden (summing Uninstructed, Phillips, and Write-In), all of which are dominated by students:
- Madison Ward 46: 48.3% Biden, 51.7% against
- Madison Ward 48: 49.2% Biden, 50.8% against
- Madison Ward 60: 48.9% Biden, 51.1% against
(techcnically Ward 161 had exactly 1 voter who voted Uninstructed)
Also hello! Longtime reader, first time subscriber!
What’s the word on the MPS referendum?