Wisconsin Overturns 72 Years of Political History

Both Legislative Houses and Governor flip Parties

For the first time in seventy-two years both houses of the state legislature and the governor's office have flipped parties.

The governor's office was won by Scott Walker the Milwaukee County Executive. He defeated the Mayor of Milwaukee, Tom Barrett by a 52 to 47% margin. Walker has pledged to create 250,000 new jobs and attract 10,000 new businesses to Wisconsin in his first term.

Both houses of the state legislature will have a solid Republican majority for the governor to push his agenda. Both the current Senate Majority Leader, Russ Decker and the House Speaker Mike Sheridan, lost in their bid for reelection. Their likely replacement will be two brothers, Scott and Jeff Fitzgerald. Who are both strong fiscal conservatives.

Russ Feingold Defeated by Ron Johnson

The last Republican senator from Wisconsin was defeated in 1986 by Sen. Herb Kohl. Now newcomer and tea party associate, Ron Johnson will be the new Republican senator after defeating three term Sen. Russ Feingold by a margin of 52 to 47%. Ron Johnson had the support of both the GOP establishment and the Tea Party. He wants to repeal the healthcare bill and balance the budget.

Once more this is a historical vote. Sen. Feingold has been known as one of the most progressive senators in the U.S. Senate. The last senator from Wisconsin to hold that distinction was Bob LaFollete who was also defeated by an ultra conservative, Joe McCarthy.

Wisconsin's Congressional Delegation Flips to GOP

For the first time in fourteen years the majority of the Congressional Delegation in Wisconsin went to the GOP. Incumbent Congressman Steve Kagan of Appleton lost his bid for reelection. He was defeated by Reid Ribble a former high school coach and present day roofer. Ribble had the support of both the GOP and Tea Party.

Sean Duffy the Ashland County District Attorney defeated his Democratic opponent, state Senator Julie Lassa by a 52 to 44% margin. Duffy ran on his opposition to the stimulus bill which was mostly written by Congressman David Obey, who held the seat for forty years.

Congressman Ron Kind a Democrat had a close race which he won, by 3 points over his opponent state Senator Dan Kapanke. The remainder of Wisconsin's Congressional delegation had only token opposition and easily won reelection.

All Eyes on Wisconsin

The Republican party swept the country last night but no state has had such a complete flip to the Republicans as Wisconsin has had. The GOP will have control from the Governor, to the Congressional delegation and both houses of the state legislature.

The nation's eyes need to be focused on Wisconsin. If the GOP succeeds here, they can succeed nationally. And if they fail here then the nation will know the GOP's policies are not going to work for the country.