Election UPDATE WSTA would like to recognize our 2018 GOLD and SILVER Annual Partners: Associate Members This space is available! GOLD – Finley Engineering Company, Inc. and WIN Click HERE for details SILVER – BKD, LLP, Interstate Telcom Consulting, Inc., and National Information Solutions Cooperative, Inc. (NISC) Thank you National Information Solutions Cooperative for your sponsorship of WSTA electronic publications! Associate members, click here to join them! Primary Election Update August 14, 2018 Governor and Lieutenant Governor Democrat Tony Evers wins eight-way Wisconsin primary to face GOP Gov. Scott Walker in November Tony Evers won an eight-way Democratic primary Tuesday, setting up a November showdown between the state's education chief and GOP Gov. Scott Walker. "We’re going to win because we're going to hold Scott Walker accountable for his reign of terror," Evers told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel shortly after the Associated Press called the race for him based on unofficial returns. Walker handily won his own primary against a political unknown, Sun Prairie businessman Robert Meyer, who raised just $270 in the first half of the year. In a string of posts on Twitter, Walker touted the state's record-low unemployment rate, his cuts to income taxes and property taxes, and his program to shore up premiums for those who buy insurance through Affordable Care Act marketplaces, "Wisconsin is working — and we are moving the state forward with our bold reforms that are having a positive impact across the state," Walker wrote. Mandela Barnes wins Dem Primary for Lt. Governor Former state Rep. Mandela Barnes has declared victory in the lt. guv primary over Dem challenger Kurt Kober. Barnes had nearly 70 percent of the vote, according to unofficial returns compiled by the Associated Press, while Kober, a Sheboygan businessman, had 30.5 percent, with 69 percent of precincts reporting. “Today, Democratic voters showed up and sent a strong message that Wisconsin is ready for change,” Barnes said in a statement. “They know that we need transformational ideas and leadership that invest in opportunities and fairness for every child, person, and family in Wisconsin, regardless of zip code.” Barnes will join the Dem ticket with State Superintendent Tony Evers and face GOP Governor Scott Walker and Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch in November. United States Senate Leah Vukmir Wins Wisconsin GOP Primary to take on Tammy Baldwin State Sen. Leah Vukmir won Tuesday’s Republican Senate primary in Wisconsin, notching a victory for the state GOP. Vukmir’s win sets up another opportunity for Wisconsin Republicans to take down one of the last remaining high-profile Democrats in the state. Vukmir led Marine veteran and businessman Kevin Nicholson 54 percent to 40 percent, when The Associated Press called the race with 56 percent of precincts reporting. She will now take on vulnerable incumbent Tammy Baldwin, who ran unopposed in the Democratic primary. GOP megadonor Richard Uihlein dumped millions on behalf of Nicholson, which raised questions whether such outside money would come in for Vukmir if she won. Republicans appear to be attempting to quell any concerns about party divisions by hosting a unity fundraiser Friday featuring both Uihlein and Diane Hendricks, a billionaire businesswoman who supported Vukmir. US House of Representatives Randy Bryce, Bryan Steil To Face Off in Race to Replace US Rep. Paul Ryan Democrat Randy Bryce will face Republican Bryan Steil in November in a race to replace U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan in Wisconsin's 1st Congressional District. Shortly before 9 p.m., the Associated Press called the Republican primary in Steil's favor with more than 50 percent of the vote, beating out the other four republican candidates: Jeremy Ryan, Paul Nehlen, Nick Polce and Kevin Steen. Steil, an attorney for manufacturing companies and University of Wisconsin System Regent, was the likely Republican favorite and was endorsed by House Speaker Ryan. Speaker Ryan congratulated Steil after his victory saying he's the right person to represent the 1st Congressional District. Wisconsin State Legislature Representative Fred Kessler and Josh Zepnick lose Primaries WisPolitics.com is projecting Dem Reps. Fred Kessler and Josh Zepnick will lose their Dem primary races. With 87.5 percent of the vote in, attorney Marisabel Cabrera has 1,584 votes, or 66.08 percent, to 808 votes, or 33.71 percent for Zepnick, according to unofficial returns posted at the Milwaukee County Elections Commission website. Zepnick beat Cabrera by 149 votes two years ago. But he has since faced allegations that he kissed two women against their will at Dem Party events. Cabrera declared victory shortly after 9 p.m. “I am humbled and honored to be the next member of the State Assembly from District 9,” she said. “I can’t wait to get to work fighting for the rights of all Wisconsinites, and ensure that everyone has access to quality, affordable healthcare and education.” In the 12th AD, MPS teacher LaKesia Myers had 2,921 votes, of 62.49 percent, to 1,747 votes, or 37.4 percent, for Kessler. Representative John Spiros Survives Primary Challenge Rep. John Spiros has prevailed over Republican challenger and Mosinee Mayor Brent Jacobson, unofficial county results show. Marathon County returns show Spiros, R-Marshfield, leading Jacobson 62 percent to 38 percent, with all precincts reporting. The 86th AD also includes six precincts in Wood County, which hadn’t yet posted results as of 10 p.m. .