Capitol Notes: September 14, 2010

Below please find the primary results of some of tonight's key primary races that may have an impact on control of the Governor's office, Congress and the State Legislature this November.

Governor's Race:

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett defeated little known candidate Tim John in the Democratic Primary with 90% of the vote.
Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker defeated former congressman Mark Neumann in the Republican Primary by 18% (with 80% of the vote reporting). Walker's victory was driven by winning the Milwaukee Media Market by a significant margin, ~70% of the vote.

Lieutenant Governor's Race:

Assembly Majority Leader Thomas Nelson (D-Kaukauna) navigated a four-way primary to capture the Democratic nomination for Lieutenant Governor with 50% of the vote. Milwaukee State Senator Spencer Coggs finished second with 21% of the vote.
On the Republican side, former TV reporter Rebecca Kleefisch, won the five-way, to capture her party's nomination. Kleefisch finished with 46% of the vote. Representative Brett Davis (R-Oregon) finished second on the ballot with 26% of the vote.

8th Congressional District:

Neenah businessman Reid Ribble won a five-way Republican Primary to take on Democratic Congressman Steve Kagen (D-Appleton) on the November ballot. Ribble is president of The Ribble Group, a roof construction and consulting company. Congressman Kagen, an Allergy-Immunology physician, was first elected to Congress in 2006 and re-elected in 2008.

Senate 1st District:

Former Representative Frank Lasee (R-Green Bay) won the Republican primary by defeating former Representative Dave Hutchison, and will face Democrat Monk Elmer on the November ballot. Rep. Lasee lost his re-election to the State Assembly in 2008 to Democrat Ted Zigmunt. Elmer is a family physician in Kimberly and a school board president. The 1st Senate District has been occupied by State Senator Alan Lasee since 1977. Sen. Lasee and former Rep. Lasee are cousins.

Senate 7th District:

Incumbent State Senator Jeff Plale (D-Milwaukee) was defeated tonight in a Democratic Primary by Chris Larson. Plale has represented the 7th District since 2003. Larson, a Milwaukee County Board Supervisor, challenged Plale for not supporting the Global Warming Legislation that was put forward last session. Efforts in support of Larson's campaign were funded in part by Rep. Spencer Black (D-Madison), the lead Assembly sponsor of that legislation, and who lays the blame for the legislation not being adopted this session at Sen. Plale's doorstep. Larson will face Republican Jesse Ripp, an attorney.

2nd Assembly District

Republican Green Bay Area Transit Planning Coordinator Andre' Jacque won a three-way primary to face first term Assembly Rep. Ted Zigmunt (D-Green Bay), a former Manitowoc Board Supervisor.

5th Assembly District:

·In the race to fill the seat opened up by Rep. Thomas Nelson (D-Kaukauna) running for Lieutenant Governor, Jim Steineke, won a three-way primary to have his second shot at winning this Assembly seat. Steineke challenged Nelson in 2008. Steineke will face Democrat Mert Summers, a business representative for the union carpenters.

42nd Assembly District:

Representative Fred Clark (D-Baraboo), chairman of the Assembly Forestry Committee, is running for his first re-election this fall. He will face Marquette farmer Jack Cummings who defeated Wisconsin Dells Mayor Eric Helland in the Republican Primary.

57th Assembly District:

Representative Penny Bernard Schaber (D-Appleton), a retired physical therapist, will be facing Republican Chris Hanson (R-Appleton), in her first re-election bid. Hanson, is a small business owner who has been active in advocacy efforts through the Wisconsin Association of Health Underwriters.

67th Assembly District:

In the race to replace Independent Jeff Wood of Chetek, Republican Tom Larson will face Democrat CW King. Larson is a small business owner, Bear Valley Electric. King is the retired director of the Human Services Department for Chippewa County.

75th Assembly District:

In the race to replace Representative Mary Hubler (D-Rice Lake), who has held the seat since 1980 and is not seeking re-election, former legislative staffer and current Barron county resident Steve Perala will take on the winner of the GOP Primary that is still too close to call.