WI: Democrats flip key Senate seats, Assembly GOP maintains majority

 

MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- While Democrats did not get the outcome they hoped for at the top of the ticket, they did make some significant gains in the state Legislature under new voting maps enacted earlier this year.

Democrats chipped away at Republicans' majority in both chambers but ultimately fell short of their goal in flipping control of the state Assembly.

It was the first election where the new district lines gave Democrats a chance of gaining control of either chamber after the state Supreme Court adopted new competitive maps.

Republicans maintained 54 Assembly seats, down from their current 64-34 majority over Democrats.

"We are proud of everyone who won," Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said. "We are 54 seats strong. That's a number I think many people, especially the minority leader -- as she spent the last three months telling everybody they would be in the majority – they were clearly wrong."

Ahead of the election, liberals on the court determined the legislative maps Republicans drew in 2011 are unconstitutional. It resulted in redrawing legislative boundaries after experts described the previous maps as some of the most gerrymandered in the country.

In the Senate, Democrats picked up four seats to narrow Republicans' majority from 21-11 to an 18-15 advantage. That included defeating two incumbent Republicans.

Democrat Jodi Habush Sinykin defeated Republican Sen. Duey Stroebel in the Milwaukee suburbs. It was one of the most expensive and competitive races in the chamber.

In the 14th Senate District, Democrat Sarah Keyeski of Lodi defeated Republican Sen. Joan Ballweg by about a 2% margin.

The victories now put Democrats in position to possibly gain control of the Senate in 2026.

"All of the seats we put our efforts into and targeted were able to come out on top and we're in a great position right now," said Sen. Jeff Smith, assistant minority leader.