Wisconsin voters soundly rejected two constitutional amendments that sought to give lawmakers input on how some federal money is spent rather than leaving that solely up to the governor.
Meanwhile, Rebecca Cooke won a three-way Dem primary to take on freshman U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden, R-Prairie du Chien, in the 3rd CD. And Tony Wied won a three-way GOP primary to face Dem Kristin Lyerly in the open 8th CD.
In legislative races, four GOP incumbents lost in their primaries against other legislators.
Both amendments were rejected with more than 57% of voters casting “no” ballots.
Dem Gov. Tony Evers in a statement defended his decisions with federal funds, saying he is “incredibly proud” to have directed COVID-19 funding to “support farmers, working families, and small businesses, expand high-speed internet, help prevent child care costs from getting any higher, improve community safety, provide school-based mental health services for kids, and invest in economic development projects that will benefit communities across our state for generations.”
“This was a referendum on our administration’s work and the future for Wisconsin we’ve been working hard to build together, and the answer is reflected in the people’s vote tonight,” Evers said.
See more on the results on the proposed amendments.
Wied, who was endorsed by Donald Trump, took 41.3% of the vote with former state Sen. Roger Roth, R-Appleton, taking 33.9%.
State Sen. André Jacque, R-De Pere, finished with 24.8%.
In a release, Wied said he is “overwhelmed by the support shown to our campaign by the people of Wisconsin’s 8th Congressional District.”
“I want to thank the voters for entrusting me with this honor,” the businessman said. “I won’t let them down. I look forward to delivering the change we need in Washington to lower everyday costs, secure the southern border and reign in reckless government spending. Onward to November!”
He’ll face Dem Kristin Lyerly, a doctor, in November for the seat vacated by Mike Gallagher, R-Allouez.
See more on the 8th CD results.
In the 3rd CD, Cooke took 50% of the vote, while state Rep. Katrina Shankland, of Stevens Point, won 41.2%.
Eau Claire mortgage loan officer Eric Wilson was a distant third at 8.8%.
See more on the results in the 3rd CD.
GOP businessman Eric Hovde took 86% of the vote in a three-way primary with two little-known opponents.
The primary was largely considered a formality with the backing Hovde has received from national Republicans to take on U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Madison.
See more results in the WisPolitics Election Blog.
