Capping off a contentious race, former Governor Tommy Thompson held off three challengers Tuesday to become the Republican nominee for United States Senate. He will face Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin in November. State Representative Mark Pocan handily beat State Representative Kelda Roys and two others to become the Democratic nominee for Wisconsin’s Second Congressional District. He will face Republican Chad Lee in November.
Legislative redistricting changed many districts throughout the state, and Tuesday’s election results included a few surprises. In southwestern Dane County, State Representative Sondy Pope-Roberts successfully held off former Democratic legislator Joe Wineke to claim the 80th AD (she now represents the 79th AD). County Board Supervisor Dianne Hesselbein defeated Middleton school board president Ellen Lindgren in the 79th AD, which includes Middleton and Waunakee. Monona mayor Robb Kahl will face Sandy Bakk in the 47th (Fitchburg, Monona, and McFarland).
In Milwaukee, two Democratic incumbents — Representatives Peggy Krusick and Jason Fields — lost to more progressive challengers, Daniel Riemer and Mandela Barnes. In another hotly-contested race, Representative Sandy Pasch won her bid to represent the 10th AD in Milwaukee County. She currently represents the 22nd AD, but chose to run in a new district after redistricting. The legislature’s African-American caucus will decrease by three in 2013. Pasch replaces Elizabeth Coggs, Evan Goyke won a crowded primary to replace Rep. Tamara Grigsby in the 11th AD (there is no Republican opponent), and Representative Robert Turner of Racine is retiring.