Democrats flipped control of the state Senate today by winning two GOP-held seats and defending the district of Sen. Jeff Smith, D-Brunswick.
The Associated Press projected Smith will beat Republican Michele Magadance Skinner in the 31st SD in the Eau Claire area. With 86% of the vote in, he was at more than 58%.
Meanwhile, Senate Dems have declared victory in the 5th and 21st districts, which were both represented by Republicans this session.
In the 5th, state Rep. Robyn Vining, D-Wauwatosa, had more than 53% of the vote with 74% of precincts reporting in her race with Mike Roberts, the Pewaukee founder and owner of a locally based healthcare practice.
In the 21st, Dem Trevor Jung, the Racine transit director, had more than 58% of the vote with 83% of precincts reporting in his race with small business owner Jim Croft.
There were four seats generally considered in play when the cycle started with Dems needing to win any combination of the three to flip control of the chamber.
In the fourth seat, state Rep. Jenna Jacobson, D-Oregon, was at almost 55% with 66% of precincts reporting in her race with Sen. Howard Marklein, R-Spring Green.
Dems lost control of the state Senate in the 2010 GOP save. They regained it briefly following a series of recall elections in 2012 after the legislative session had adjourned but then lost it again that fall.