Callahan defeats Nelson in Republican Assembly primary, will face Democrat Ruprecht in November
Felzkowski, Vocke set to face off for State Senate seat
By Jalen Maki
Tomahawk Leader Editor
NORTHERN WISCONSIN – In the area’s lone competitive race in the Partisan Primary Election held on Tuesday, Aug. 11, Tomahawk’s Calvin Callahan defeated fellow Tomahawk native Don Nelson to earn the Republican nomination in the 35th Assembly District race. Callahan will face Merrill Democrat Tyler Ruprecht, who clinched the Democratic nomination after running unopposed, on Nov. 3.
Republican Mary Felzkowski of Irma and Minocqua Democrat Ed Vocke secured their places as their parties’ respective nominees in the race represent the state’s 12th Senate District after neither faced a challenger last Tuesday.
Lincoln County saw a 24.95% voter turnout, with 5,599 of the county’s 22,441 registered voters casting ballots.
35th Assembly District
Callahan comfortably secured the Republican nomination, garnering 2,469 votes (73.16%) to Nelson’s 905 (26.81%).
In a statement from his campaign, Callahan thanked his supporters, campaign volunteers and those who voted for him.
“I want to thank Don Nelson too,” Callahan stated. “Both our campaigns focused on the issues and why voters should vote for one of us. We ran no negative ads; we kept this a clean campaign as primaries should be. Republican primary candidates who run attack ads against their Republican opponents only get Democrats elected in November. We did not do that.”
Callahan also referenced upcoming elections, saying, “We need to keep the 35th District in Republican hands.”
“We need to get Mary Felzkowski elected as State Senator, we need to get Tom Tiffany reelected,” Callahan said. “Most importantly of all WE NEED to win this state for President Trump by a margin so large the Democrats won’t even think about asking for a recount.”
Nelson thanked both his voters and Republican voters in a statement.
“Thank you to all who supported me in the primary, and supporting the party,” Nelson said. “I hope Calvin does do all he has promised in the district, and doesn’t get washed up in the politics. I hope and pray that the good Lord delivers us from this quagmire so we all can return to a good life in the Northwoods, with lots of promise and opportunities for our families to stay here and prosper.”
