Republicans dominate local races for state Assembly
By Ed Nadolski
Editor in Chief
The effects of a surging global pandemic and a summer of social unrest did little to change the allegiances of voters in the Southern Lakes Area who remained true to their Republican roots in the Nov. 3 election.
While the presidential race at the top of the ballot in Wisconsin has tilted for Democrat Joe Biden over incumbent Republican Donald Trump, there was no question who local voters supported. In Walworth County, voters preferred Trump by a 19% margin over Biden. The Republican presidential preference was 15% in Jefferson County and 20% in Waukesha County.
According to unofficial totals, voters in the area also returned four incumbent Republican state Assembly candidates to office and ousted the current register of deeds in Walworth – an appointee of Democratic Gov. Tony Evers.
Local voters also had a role in sending Republican Bryan Steil, of Janesville, to a second term in the U.S. House of Representatives for the state’s 1st Congressional District.
According to results reported by Associated Press, Steil defeated Democrat Roger Pollack, of Racine, 61% to 39%.
A look at the numbers
Here’s a look at the results from the local races (all vote totals are unofficial until a canvass of votes is completed):
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Amy Loudenbeck 31st District (City of Elkhorn; villages of Fontana, Sharon, Williams Bay and Walworth; towns of Darien, Richmond, Sharon, Sugar Creek and Walworth) – Incumbent Amy Loudenbeck, R, Clinton defeated Elizabeth Lochner-Abel, D, Walworth, 19,961 (60%) to 13,549 (40%).
In a statement issued on election night Loudenbeck, who has served 10 years, thanked voters and pledged to keep working on their behalf.
“I’m very proud of the things I accomplished in the legislature and I remain committed to making Wisconsin the best place to live, work, farm and raise a family,” she said. “I look forward to the opportunity to return next session to take care of some unfinished business while pursuing innovative solutions to address the challenges facing our state.”
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Tyler August 32nd Assembly District (Includes cities of Delavan and Lake Geneva; villages of East Troy and Genoa City; towns of Bloomfield, Delavan, Geneva, Lafayette, Linn, Lyons, Spring Prairie and portions of the Town of East Troy) – Incumbent Tyler August, R-Lake Geneva, 20,158 (62%) over Katherine Gaulke, D-Elkhorn 12,455 (38%).
- 33rd District (Includes villages of Eagle, Mukwonago and Palmyra, towns of Eagle, LaGrange, Mukwonago and Palmyra, and portions of the Town of East Troy) – Incumbent Cody Horlacher, R, Mukwonago, 21,496 (62%) over Mason Becker, D, Fort Atkinson, 13,227 (38%).
- 43rd District (City and Town of Whitewater) – Incumbent Don Vruwink, D, Milton, 17,641 (55%) over Beth Drew, R, Milton, 14,262 (55%).
- 83rd Assembly District (includes a portion of the Town of East Troy) – Incumbent Chuck Wichgers, R-Muskego, 27,019 (70%) over Alan DeYoung, D-Muskego, 11,747 (30%).
- 28th Senate District: (includes a portion of the Town of East Troy) – Julian Bradley, R-Franklin, 64,179 (60%) over Adam Murphy, D-Franklin, 43,390 (40%). Bradley replaces incumbent Dave Craig in the 28th Senate District, who did not seek re-election.
Register of deeds
Voters in Walworth County ousted incumbent Register of Deeds Cairie Virrueta, a Democrat, in favor of Republican Michele Jacobs, 34,135 to 21,264.
Walworth County’s other Republican officials – District Attorney Zeke Wiedenfeld; Clerk Kim Bushey; and Treasurer Valerie Etzel – were re-elected without opposition.
