Civil Trial Counsel of Wisconsin



	Political Tidbits	Compiled by The Hamilton Consulting Group Nov. 3, 2004

At approximately 10:00am (CST) this morning, John Kerry called President George W. Bush and conceded the 2004 Presidential election. The President had a significant victory in the popular vote as well as garnering a majority of the electoral Vote--estimated to be as high as 286 with 270 needed to win. Ohio, which had been the primary focus in the waning hours of the election, was determined to be out of reach by Senator Kerry and the country is being spared the delay and uncertainty that occurred four years ago. The speculation that there would be numerous court challenges will not bear out. Senator Kerry and President Bush apparently committed to proceed with the best interests of the country at the forefront.

In Wisconsin, the Republicans retained control of both Houses with an apparent increase of one in each House. The majority is not large enough to override gubernatorial vetoes which can lead to bipartisan efforts or potential gridlock. This past session saw both.

It is now time for all of us to get beyond election politics and focus on addressing the major policy issues at both the state and national levels.

Our congratulations, not only to the winners, but also to all who competed and offered to commit to public service on behalf of all of us.

Wisconsin Election Results

As with the rest of the country, Wisconsin voters turned out in record numbers. Wisconsin's tag as a presidential battleground state proved deserving, and it appears Kerry will hang on to his slim lead to claim the state's 10 electoral votes.

The Wisconsin congressional races proved to be less exciting as all incumbents retained their seats by comfortable margins. At the state level, both houses remain strongly in the Republican's column. Go to our State Senate Races and State Assembly Races pages for state legislative race results.

Presidential – Kerry Projected to Win Wisconsin
While noted as too close to call by certain pundits, Sen. John Kerry will win Wisconsin's 10 electoral votes. As of this writing, he holds a 13,293 vote lead (1,480,256 to 1,466,963) with 99 percent of the precincts reporting.

U.S. Senate – Feingold in a Walk-off
On the national stage, the Republicans did better than expected in the U.S. Senate. [See below.] However, the once-targeted Wisconsin seat held by Democrat Russ Feingold proved to be a walk-off for Feingold, who received 55 percent of the vote to Republican Tim Michels' 44 percent.

U.S. House – All Incumbents Retain Seats
As expected, all incumbents have been re-elected in Wisconsin congressional races. Wisconsin also made history by sending its first African-American woman to Congress, former Democratic State Senator Gwen Moore. Moore handedly defeated Republican challenger Gerald Boyle to represent Wisconsin’s 4^th congressional district vacated by Democrat Gerald Kleczka. In one of the more watched Congressional races, incumbent Ron Kind (D) outpaced Republican challenger Dale Schultz by a 56.5 to 43.5 margin in western Wisconsin’s 3^rd congressional district. Schultz will return to the Wisconsin State Senate.

Wisconsin Senate – Republicans Take One of Four Targeted Seats
Falling short of expectations, the Republicans picked up only one of their four targeted seats. However, they will hold a comfortable 19-14 majority next session. Republican Dan Kapanke defeated Democrat Brad Pfaff in the open 32^nd(52.5-47.5). In the other targeted races, all incumbent Democrats won reelection: Dave Hansen (D-Green Bay) over former State Senator Gary Drzewiecki (R-Pulaski) (55 to 45); Roger Breske (D-Eland) over Tom Tiffany (53 to 47); and, Bob Wirch (D-Kenosha) over Reince Priebus (52 to 48).

Wisconsin Assembly – Republicans Continue Momentum
Assembly Republicans, led by Speaker John Gard, once again gained seats, albeit only one. The Republicans picked up an open Democratic seat and knock off one sitting Democrat, while the Democrats defeated one incumbent Republican. The result is that Speaker Gard strengthened an already strong hold in the Assembly to a 60 to 39 majority.

Republicans picked up seats in the 29th Assembly District where Republican challenger Andy Lamb of Menomonie defeated incumbent Democrat Joe Plouff and also in the open 68th Assembly District (formerly held by Democrat Larry Balow), where Republican Terry Moulton of Chippewa Falls defeated Democrat Joe Bee Xiong. In the 5th Assembly District in Green Bay, incumbent Republican Becky Weber lost to Democratic challenger Tom Nelson.

Federal Election Results

U.S. Senate – GOP Gains Three; Two Undecided
Going into the election, the Republicans had 51 seats, Democrats 48 seats and one Independent. Of the 33 seats up this year, there were eight seats where there was no clear favorite. Five of these Senate districts were held by Democrats and three by Republicans.

Republicans picked up five seats previously held by Democrats, including defeat of Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle. The other Republican gains are North Carolina (Burr defeated Bowles); South Carolina ( DeMint defeated Tennenbaum); Georgia (Izakson defeated Majette); Louisiana (Vitter avoids run-off).

Democrats picked up two seats previously held by Republicans, Colorado (Salazar defeated Coors); Ilinois (Obama defeated Keys).

There are two states to close to call, Florida and Alaska.

U.S. House – GOP Gains Four
House Republicans increased their majority to 228-206 with five races yet to be decided.

CTCW Political Tidbits is a weekly newsletter on Wisconsin political and policy developments prepared for CTCW members by The Hamilton Consulting Group. Employees of CTCW member organizations can subscribe at: http://www.ctcw.org/form-subscribe-tidbits.html.
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For further information on these initiatives, contact Jim Hough at The Hamilton Consulting Group.