The Associated Press has projected Republican John Jagler will win the 13th Senate District special election.

With 88.6 percent of precincts reporting, Jagler had 52.2 percent of the vote over Dem Melissa Winker.

The winner replaces former Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, R-Juneau, who now represents the 5th Congressional District.

While Winker outraised Jagler between Feb. 2 and March 22, the state rep pulled in nearly $160,000 to Winker’s $103,000 year-to-date. He also benefited from spending by outside groups.

The conservative Americans for Prosperity-Wisconsin and the Republicans State Leadership Committee combined to spend $217,081 boosting Jagler through mailers, online ads, radio and canvassing.

Meanwhile, no group had registered an expenditure backing Winker.

Additionally, AP has called the 89th Assembly District for GOP businessman Elijah Behnke.

Behnke held 60.3 percent of the votes with 55 percent of precincts reporting. His opponent Karl Jaeger, who ran as a Dem in the fall last year against former Rep. John Nygren, R-Marinette, last held nearly 39.7 percent of the vote.

The wins by Jagler and Behnke will give Republicans a 21-12 majority in the Senate and 61-38 in the Assembly after they retained the GOP seats.

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