U.S. Senate, House races set; state referendums rejected
By Jalen Maki
Tomahawk Leader Editor
WISCONSIN – Wisconsin voters decided federal, state and local primary races, as well as the fates of two referendum questions, in the Tuesday, Aug. 13 Fall Primary Election.
Voters cast ballots by party preference.
According to preliminary results from the Lincoln County Clerk’s Office, 3,855 Lincoln County voters participated in the Republican primary, while 2,207 voters cast ballots for the Democratic ticket. The Libertarian Party had nine voters, while the Wisconsin Green and Constitution parties had two voters and one voter, respectively.
U.S. Senate
On the Republican ticket for United States Senate, Eric Hovde emerged victorious with roughly 86% of the vote, soundly defeating Charles Barman and Rejani Raveendran.
Incumbent Democratic Senator Tammy Baldwin was not challenged in this week’s election. She will defend her seat against Hovde in November.
Hovde easily won Lincoln County with 3,162 votes, according to preliminary results. Charles Barman tallied 404 votes in the county, while 222 votes went to Raveendran.
U.S. House of Representatives
Republican U.S. Representative Tom Tiffany, who currently represents the Wisconsin’s 7th Congressional District, did not face a primary opponent and will look to defend his seat this fall.
In the primary to represent the Democratic Party against Tiffany in November, Kyle Kilbourn came out on top with about 58% of the vote, defeating Elsa Rae Duranceau, who garnered about 42%.
Duranceau, with 1,038 votes, carried Lincoln County. Kilbourn tallied 947 votes in the county.
Wisconsin State Senate
Incumbent State Senator Mary Felzkowski, who represents Wisconsin’s 12th Senate District, ran for the Republican nomination unchallenged.
Felzkowski will take on Democrat Andi Rich in November. Rich did not face an opponent on the Democratic ticket.
Wisconsin State Assembly
In the Republican primary race for the Wisconsin State Assembly, incumbent District 35 Representative Calvin Callahan defeated challenger Todd Mayr by a roughly 85% to 15% margin.
After running unopposed for the Democratic nomination, Elizabeth McCrank will go head-to-head with Callahan this fall. McCrank and Callahan previously served on the Lincoln County Board of Supervisors together, until Callahan’s resignation last September.
Referendum questions
Wisconsin voters rejected a pair of referendum questions that sought to amend the state Constitution to allow the State Legislature to have more authority over how federal money allocated to Wisconsin is spent.
Under current law, which has stood since the 1930s, that power is vested in the governor.
The two referendums failed by roughly 57% to 43% and 58% to 42% margins, respectively, according to preliminary results.
The statewide results were not reflected in Lincoln County, where question one was supported by a 3,164-vote to 2,851-vote margin, and question two received 3,215 votes in support and 2,844 votes against.
Lincoln County District Attorney
Current Lincoln County District Attorney Kristopher Ellis did not face a challenger in the Democratic primary race.
No Republicans entered the race for District Attorney. Ellis will be unopposed on November ballots.
Lincoln County Clerk
Two candidates vied for the Republican nomination in the race for Lincoln County Clerk.
Current clerk Christopher Marlowe defeated challenger Steve Osness by a 2,273-vote to 1,665-vote split, according to preliminary results.
With no Democrats seeking the clerk post, Marlowe will be the lone candidate on November ballots.
Lincoln County Treasurer
Robbin Gigl, who currently serves as Lincoln County Treasurer, was not opposed on the Republican ticket in her bid to return to the post.
No Democrats entered the race. Gigl will appear on November ballots unchallenged.
Lincoln County Register of Deeds
After seeking the Republican nomination unopposed, and with no Democrats in the race, current Lincoln County Register of Deeds Sarah Koss will be the lone candidate this fall.