The 2018 United States House of Representatives elections in Wisconsin were held on November 6, 2018, to elect the eight U.S. Representatives from the state of Wisconsin , one from each of the state's eight congressional districts . The elections coincided with other elections to the House of Representatives, elections to the United States Senate and various state and local elections . The Wisconsin Partisan Primary was held on August 14, 2018, with the governor, U.S. Senator, U.S. Representative, odd-numbered Wisconsin State Senate seats, and all Wisconsin Assembly seats on the ballot.[1]
Wisconsin was notable in 2018 for being the only state in which the party receiving the majority of votes held a minority of congressional seats.[2]
Results summary
Statewide
Popular vote
Democratic
53.18%
Republican
45.61%
Other
1.21%
House seats
Republican
62.50%
Democratic
37.50%
District
Results of the 2018 United States House of Representatives elections in Wisconsin by district:[3]
District 1
The 1st congressional district is located in southeastern Wisconsin , covering Kenosha County , Racine County and most of Walworth County , as well as portions of Rock County , Waukesha County and Milwaukee County . The district's Representative was Republican , Paul Ryan , then Speaker of the House of Representatives and Republican candidate for Vice President of the United States in the 2012 U.S. presidential election . The district's Partisan Voter Index is R+5, indicating a slight Republican lean.
Ryan could potentially have seen a close race; in hypothetical polling, his main Democratic challenger, Randy Bryce , was behind Ryan by only seven points. Ryan was also facing challenges in the Republican primary from Paul Nehlen , who also challenged Ryan in 2016, and from Nick Polce. Ryan announced on April 11, 2018, that he is not seeking re-election.[4] [5] [6] On April 22, Bryan Steil, member of the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents and former personal driver to Ryan, announced his bid for the seat, with news outlets reporting Steil as the Republican Party nominee front-runner.[7] [8]
Two Democrats announced; ironworker Randy Bryce and Janesville school board member Cathy Myers.
Democratic primary
Nominee
Eliminated in primary
Declined
Endorsements
Randy Bryce
U.S. Senators
U.S. Representatives from Wisconsin[14]
U.S. Representatives outside of Wisconsin
Wisconsin State Senators
Tim Carpenter, Senate District 3
Chris Larson, Senate District 7
Bob Wirch, Senate District 22
Wisconsin State Representatives
Mandela Barnes, (former) Assembly District 11
Jonathan Brostoff, Assembly District 19
David Crowley, Assembly District 17
Evan Goyke, Assembly District 18
Greta Neubauer, Assembly District 66
Tod Ohnstad, Assembly District 65
Daniel Riemer, Assembly District 7
Christine Sinicki, Assembly District 20
Robert Turner, (former) Assembly District 61
JoCasta Zamarripa, Assembly District 8
Unions
Other Organizations
Polling
Poll source
Date(s) administered
Sample size
Margin of error
Randy Bryce
Cathy Myers
Undecided
Remington (R-CLF)
July 8–9, 2018
1,020
± 3.1%
33%
34%
33%
Primary results
Republican primary
Nominee
Eliminated in primary
Kevin Adam Steen, applications engineer[26]
Withdrew
Brad Boivin, psychologist[28] (endorsed Steil)[29]
Jeff Wamboldt, county supervisor and police officer[30] [31]
Declined
Tyler August , Speaker Pro-Tempore of the Wisconsin State Assembly [17] [32]
Dave Craig , State Senator [17] [33]
Samantha Kerkman , Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly [17] [34]
Steve Nass , state senator[17]
Mark Neumann , former U.S. Representative and nominee for the U.S. Senate in 1998 [35]
Reince Priebus , former White House Chief of Staff , former chairman of the Republican National Committee and former chairman of the Republican Party of Wisconsin [17]
Paul Ryan , incumbent representative and 54th Speaker of the House [4] [5] [6]
Robin Vos , Speaker of the Wisconsin State Assembly [17]
Van Wanggaard , state senator[17]
Endorsements
Paul Nehlen
Individuals
David Duke , white nationalist, conspiracy theorist, former Ku Klux Klan Grand Wizard, and former Louisiana State Representative[36]
Bryan Steil
Individuals
Tyler August , Assembly Speaker Pro Tempore[37]
James Bryce, Democratic candidate Randy Bryce's brother[38]
Jonathan Delagrave, Racine County Executive[39]
Sean Duffy , U.S. Representative (WI-07 )[40]
Paul Farrow , Waukesha County Executive[39]
Scott Fitzgerald , Senate Majority Leader[37]
Glenn Grothman , U.S. Representative (WI-06 )[40]
Mike Kuglitsch , state representative[37]
Amy Loudenbeck , state representative[37]
Steve Nass , state senator[37]
Reince Priebus , former White House Chief of Staff [41]
Jessie Rodriguez , state representative[37]
Paul Ryan , House Speaker [42]
Jim Sensenbrenner , U.S. Representative (WI-05 )[40]
Ken Skowronski , state representative[37]
Tommy Thompson , former Governor of Wisconsin [43]
Robin Vos , Assembly Speaker[37]
Tom Weatherston , state representative[37]
Organizations
Wisconsin Right to Life[44]
Waukesha Young Republicans[45]
Newspapers
Primary results
General election
Predictions
Endorsements
Randy Bryce
Former Federal officials
Former 2018 U.S. Representative candidates, WI-01
U.S. Senators
U.S. Representatives from Wisconsin[51]
U.S. Representatives outside of Wisconsin
Wisconsin State Senators
Tim Carpenter, Senate District 3
Chris Larson, Senate District 7
Bob Wirch, Senate District 22
Wisconsin State Representatives
Mandela Barnes, (former) Assembly District 11
Jonathan Brostoff, Assembly District 19
David Crowley, Assembly District 17
Evan Goyke, Assembly District 18
Greta Neubauer, Assembly District 66
Tod Ohnstad, Assembly District 65
Daniel Riemer, Assembly District 7
Christine Sinicki, Assembly District 20
Robert Turner, (former) Assembly District 61
JoCasta Zamarripa, Assembly District 8
Local officials
Unions
Other Organizations
Bryan Steil
Individuals
Tyler August , Assembly Speaker Pro Tempore[37]
David Beth, Kenosha County Sheriff[56]
James Bryce, Democratic candidate Randy Bryce's brother[57]
Jonathan Delagrave, Racine County Executive[39]
Sean Duffy , U.S. Representative (WI-07 )[40]
Paul Farrow , Waukesha County Executive[39]
Scott Fitzgerald , Senate Majority Leader[37]
Glenn Grothman , U.S. Representative (WI-06 )[40]
Mike Kuglitsch , state representative[37]
Amy Loudenbeck , state representative[37]
Steve Nass , state senator[37]
Kurt Picknell, Walworth County Sheriff[56]
Reince Priebus , former White House Chief of Staff [58]
Jessie Rodriguez , state representative[37]
Paul Ryan , House Speaker [59]
Christopher Schmaling, Racine County Sheriff[56]
Richard Schmidt, Milwaukee County Sheriff (Democrat )[56]
Jim Sensenbrenner , U.S. Representative (WI-05 )[40]
Eric Severson, Waukesha County Sheriff[56]
Ken Skowronski , state representative[37]
Robert Spoden, Rock County Sheriff (Democrat )[56]
Kevin Adam Steen, former congressional candidate[60]
Tommy Thompson , former Governor of Wisconsin [61]
Robin Vos , Assembly Speaker[37]
Tom Weatherston , state representative[37]
Organizations
Newspapers
Polling
Hypothetical polling
with Paul Ryan
Poll source
Date(s) administered
Sample size
Margin of error
Paul Ryan (R)
Randy Bryce (D)
Other
Undecided
Public Policy Polling (D)
November 9–10, 2017
549
± 4.2%
46%
39%
–
15%
Results
District 2
The 2nd congressional district covers Dane County , Iowa County , Lafayette County , Sauk County and Green County , as well as portions of Richland County and Rock County . The district includes Madison , the state's capital, its suburbs and some of the surrounding areas. The district is currently represented by Democrat Mark Pocan , who succeeded current Senator Tammy Baldwin in 2013. The PVI is D+18.
Democratic primary
Declared
Primary results
General election
Results
District 3
The 3rd congressional district covers much of the Driftless Area in southwestern and western Wisconsin ; The district includes the cities of La Crosse and Eau Claire . It borders the states of Minnesota , Iowa , and Illinois . Democrat Ron Kind has represented the district since 1997. The PVI of the third district is EVEN, indicating an almost equal support of Democrats and Republicans. Kind is running for reelection. Steve Toft, a retired Army Colonel, is running for the Republican nomination.
Democratic primary
Declared
Primary results
Republican primary
Declared
Steve Toft, retired Army Colonel[69]
Primary results
General election
Results
District 4
The 4th congressional district encompasses a part of Milwaukee County and including all of the city of Milwaukee and its working-class suburbs of Cudahy , St. Francis , South Milwaukee , and West Milwaukee . Recent redistricting has added the Milwaukee County North Shore communities of Glendale , Shorewood , Whitefish Bay , Fox Point , Bayside , and Brown Deer to the district. It is currently represented by Gwen Moore , a Democrat . The PVI of the district is D+25.
Democratic primary
Declared
Primary results
Republican primary
Declared
Cindy Werner, army veteran
Tim Rogers, deliveryman
Primary results
Independent candidates
Declared
General election
Results
District 5
The 5th congressional district covers all of Washington and Jefferson counties, some of Waukesha and Dodge counties, and portions of Milwaukee and Walworth counties. It is currently represented by Republican Jim Sensenbrenner , who has held the seat since 1978. The PVI is R+13. Sensenbrenner is running for reelection. Tom Palzewicz, a small business owner, is running for the Democratic nomination.
Democratic primary
Declared
Tom Palzewicz, small businessman[70]
Primary results
Republican primary
Declared
Primary results
General election
Results
District 6
The 6th congressional district is located in eastern Wisconsin , including the outer suburbs of Milwaukee , Madison , and Green Bay , it includes all or portions of the following counties: Adams , Columbia , Dodge , Fond du Lac , Green Lake , Jefferson , Manitowoc , Marquette , Ozaukee , Sheboygan , Waushara , and Winnebago . It also includes a small portion of far northern Milwaukee County around River Hills . The district is represented by Glenn Grothman (R -Campbellsport ) who came to office in January 2015. The PVI is R+8. Grothman ran for reelection. Dan Kohl, an attorney and former executive for the Milwaukee Bucks , won the Democratic nomination.
Democratic primary
Declared
Primary results
Republican primary
Declared
Primary results
General election
Polling
Results
District 7
The 7th congressional district is located in northern and western Wisconsin, and is the largest congressional district in the state geographically, covering 20 counties (in whole or part), for a total of 18,787 sq mi. The district contains the following counties: Ashland , Barron , Bayfield , Burnett , Chippewa , Clark (partial), Douglas , Iron , Langlade (partial), Lincoln , Marathon , Oneida , Polk , Portage , Price , Rusk , St. Croix , Sawyer , Taylor , Washburn and Wood . The district is currently represented by Sean Duffy , a Republican . The PVI of the district is R+8. Duffy is running for reelection.
Democratic primary
Declared[74]
Brian Ewert, Doctor
Margaret Ruth Engebretson, Polk County Attorney
Primary results
Republican primary
Declared
Primary results
General election
Results
District 8
The 8th congressional district includes Green Bay and Appleton . It is currently represented by Mike Gallagher , a Republican . Gallagher won the open seat vacated by Reid Ribble . It is also one of two Congressional Districts to ever elect a Catholic Priest, Robert John Cornell . The PVI is R+7, and Gallagher won election to his first term with 62.65% of the vote. Gallagher is running for reelection. Beau Liegeois, a Brown County assistant district attorney, is running for the Democratic nomination.[76]
Democratic primary
Declared
Primary results
Republican
Declared
Primary results
General election
Results
References
^ "2018 Partisan Primary | Wisconsin Elections Commission" . jsonline.com . Retrieved 2019-03-28 .
^ "New election data highlights the ongoing impact of 2011 GOP redistricting in Wisconsin" . elections.wi.gov . Retrieved 2017-12-27 .
^ Johnson, Cheryl L. (February 28, 2019). "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 6, 2018" . Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives . Retrieved April 27, 2019 .
^ a b Mattingly, Phil; Vazquez, Maegan. "House Speaker Paul Ryan won't seek re-election" . CNN . Retrieved April 11, 2018 .
^ a b Martin, Jonathan; Burns, Alexander (April 11, 2018). "Speaker Paul Ryan Will Not Seek Re-election in November" . The New York Times . ISSN 0362-4331 . Retrieved April 11, 2018 .
^ a b Costa, Robert; Kim, Seung Min; Wagner, John (April 8, 2018). "House Speaker Paul Ryan will not seek reelection, he tells friends and colleagues" . Washington Post . ISSN 0190-8286 . Retrieved 2018-04-11 .
^ a b "Paul Ryan's Ex-Personal Driver Now Wants to Replace Him" . Newser. April 22, 2018. Retrieved April 22, 2018 .[permanent dead link ]
^ "Bryan Steil becomes GOP front-runner to win Paul Ryan's seat" . Wisconsin State Journal. April 22, 2018. Retrieved April 22, 2018 .
^ Sommerhauser, Mark (June 19, 2017). "Racine-area ironworker, Democratic activist launches bid to unseat Paul Ryan" . Wisconsin State Journal . Retrieved June 19, 2017 .
^ Schultz, Frank (June 22, 2017). "Fellow Janesvillian wants to challenge Rep. Ryan" . Janesville Gazette . Retrieved June 22, 2017 .
^ "Cathy Myers on Twitter" .
^ Torres, Ricardo (May 15, 2018). "State Rep. Peter Barca will not run for Congress" . Racine Journal Times .
^ "Bernie Sanders endorses Randy Bryce in congressional bid against Paul Ryan" .
^ "Endorsements" .
^ https://justicedemocrats.com . "Justice Democrats -- Candidates" . now.justicedemocrats.com . Archived from the original on 2018-06-27. Retrieved 2018-04-22 .
^ a b c d e "Wisconsin Primary Election Results" . The New York Times. Retrieved August 14, 2018 .
^ a b c d e f g h Schmidt, Rose (April 12, 2018). "Who will replace Paul Ryan: The potential and declared candidates running for his seat" . WISC .
^ Torres, Ricardo. "Candidates focus campaigns after Ryan withdrawal" . Journal Times . Retrieved 22 April 2018 .
^ Weigel, David (December 27, 2017). "Ryan's 'pro-white' primary foe denounced by Breitbart after his anti-Semitic tweets" . The Washington Post . ISSN 0190-8286 . Retrieved January 31, 2018 .
^ Bowman, Bridget (June 16, 2017). "Paul Nehlen Launches 2nd Challenge Against Ryan" . Roll Call . Retrieved June 16, 2017 .
^ "A Republican candidate for Congress has openly embraced neo-Nazi meme culture" . Newsweek . December 20, 2017. Archived from the original on December 26, 2017. Retrieved 2017-12-26 .
^ Guttman, Nathan (December 26, 2017). "Paul Nehlen, Paul Ryan's 'Alt-Right' Opponent, Goes On 'Shekel-For-Hire' Rant" . The Forward . Archived from the original on December 27, 2017. Retrieved December 26, 2017 .
^ "Polce, Nick - Candidate overview ". Federal Election Commission .
^ Dent, David J. (December 20, 2017). "Inside the Desperate, Long-Shot Attempt to Bring Down Paul Ryan ". Vice .
^ Ex-Green Beret runs for Congress , retrieved 2018-05-06
^ a b "Republican Field Grows In Race To Replace Ryan" . Wisconsin Public Radio .
^ "Five Years After the Recalls, Whatever Happened to...Jeremy Ryan? - Media Trackers" . Media Trackers . 2017-06-02. Archived from the original on 2018-07-19. Retrieved 2018-05-06 .
^ "Wisconsin 2018 General Election" . The Green Papers .
^ Schultz, Frank (July 2, 2018). "Boivin drops out, supports Steil in 1st District" . GazetteXtra .
^ Smith, Deneen. "County supervisor, police officer Jeff Wamboldt to run for Ryan's seat" . Kenosha News . Retrieved 22 April 2018 .
^ Smith, Deneen. "Wamboldt drops out of congressional race" . Kenosha News . Retrieved 4 June 2018 .
^ Plutchak, Dan. "Lake Geneva assemblyman announces re-election bid, won't run for Ryan's seat" . WKOW.com . Archived from the original on 23 April 2018. Retrieved 22 April 2018 .
^ "Wisconsin state Sen. Dave Craig won't run for Ryan's seat" . ABC News . Retrieved 22 April 2018 .
^ "Rep. Samantha Kerkman to seek re-election in Legislature; declines to run for Ryan seat" . FOX6Now.com . 16 April 2018. Retrieved 22 April 2018 .
^ Evans, Garrett (17 April 2018). "Ryan's exit scrambles Wisconsin House race" . The Hill . Retrieved 22 April 2018 .
^ Duke, David [@DrDavidDuke] (January 29, 2018). "Dr. Duke and Candidate Paul Nehlen Expose the Zio Attack on Him & All of Us! God bless Mr. Nehlen" (Tweet ) – via Twitter .
^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r "State Lawmakers Endorse Bryan Steil for Congress" . Steil for Wisconsin . June 12, 2018.
^ Bice, Daniel (May 17, 2018). "Bice: Democratic candidate Randy Bryce's brother donates to opponent after considering his own run for same seat" . Milwaukee Journal Sentinel .
^ a b c d "Delagrave, Farrow endorse Steil for Congress" . Racine Journal Times . May 15, 2018.
^ a b c d e f "Speaker Ryan and WI Congressmen Back Bryan Steil" . Steil for Wisconsin . June 18, 2018.
^ "Reince Priebus Endorses Bryan Steil for Congress" . Steil for Wisconsin . June 14, 2018.
^ Spicuzza, Mary (June 18, 2018). "Speaker Paul Ryan endorses Bryan Steil in race for his seat" . Milwaukee Journal Sentinel .
^ Tommy G. Thompson. "Proud to endorse @BryanSteilforWI" . Twitter .
^ "WRTL PAC Announces Third Round of Endorsements" . Wisconsin Right to Life . July 20, 2018.
^ Bryan Steil. "Thank you for your endorsement, @WaukeshaYR! I'm honored to have your trust and confidence for our Republican Primary on August 14. #TeamSteil keeps growing!" . Twitter .
^ "Steil stands out as top GOP candidate for Congress" . Kenosha News . August 4, 2018.
^ "2018 House Race ratings | The Cook Political Report" . The Cook Political Report . Retrieved 2018-08-24 .
^ "2018 House Ratings" . Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved August 23, 2018 .
^ Barack Obama. "Today, I'm proud to endorse even more Democratic candidates who aren't just running against something, but for something—to expand opportunity for all of us and to restore dignity, honor, and compassion to public service. They deserve your vote:" . Twitter .
^ "Bernie Sanders endorses Randy Bryce in congressional bid against Paul Ryan" .
^ "Endorsements" .
^ Bill de Blasio. "Let's not talk about what's wrong with Donald Trump. Let's talk about what's right about @IronStache" . Twitter .
^ https://justicedemocrats.com . "Justice Democrats -- Candidates" . now.justicedemocrats.com . Archived from the original on 2018-06-27. Retrieved 2018-04-22 .
^ Donald J. Trump. "Congratulations to Bryan Steil on a wonderful win last night. You will be replacing a great guy in Paul Ryan, and your win in November will make the entire State of Wisconsin very proud. You have my complete and total Endorsement!" . Twitter .
^ Mike Pence. "Big night for Wisconsin! Congrats to my friend & one of the nation's greatest governors @ScottWalker on his primary victory. And congrats to @LeahVukmir & @BryanSteilForWI, two great future leaders of the GOP!" . Twitter .
^ a b c d e f "All Six First District County Sheriffs Endorse Bryan Steil" . Steil for Wisconsin . September 20, 2018. Retrieved November 5, 2018 .
^ Bice, Daniel (May 17, 2018). "Bice: Democratic candidate Randy Bryce's brother donates to opponent after considering his own run for same seat" . Milwaukee Journal Sentinel .
^ "Reince Priebus Endorses Bryan Steil for Congress" . Steil for Wisconsin . June 14, 2018.
^ Spicuzza, Mary (June 18, 2018). "Speaker Paul Ryan endorses Bryan Steil in race for his seat" . Milwaukee Journal Sentinel .
^ "Kevin Adam Steen Backs Bryan Steil for Congress" . Steil for Wisconsin . August 21, 2018.
^ Tommy G. Thompson. "Proud to endorse @BryanSteilforWI" . Twitter .
^ "WRTL PAC Announces Third Round of Endorsements" . Wisconsin Right to Life . July 20, 2018.
^ Bryan Steil. "Thank you for your endorsement, @WaukeshaYR! I'm honored to have your trust and confidence for our Republican Primary on August 14. #TeamSteil keeps growing!" . Twitter .
^ "Kenosha Professional Police Association Board Endorses Steil" . Steil for Wisconsin . September 20, 2018. Retrieved November 5, 2018 .
^ "U.S. Chamber of Commerce endorses Steil" . GazetteXtra.com . October 11, 2018. Retrieved November 5, 2018 .
^ "Small Business Endorses Bryan Steil for Election" . NFIB . October 17, 2018. Retrieved November 5, 2018 .
^ "Steil stands out as top GOP candidate for Congress" . Kenosha News . August 4, 2018.
^ Struass, Daniel (March 10, 2017). "Rep. Ron Kind decides against run for Wisconsin governor" . Politico .
^ Hubbuch, Chris. "Steve Toft enters 3rd District race, hopes to unseat 'career politician' Ron Kind" . La Crosse Tribune .
^ "Democrat Announces Bid For 5th Congressional Seat" . Wisconsin Public Radio . September 6, 2017. Retrieved September 19, 2017 .
^ "Dr. Vipond's campaign website" . Vipond for Congress campaign . March 1, 2018. Retrieved March 1, 2018 .
^ "Vipond campaign: Jennifer Vipond announces bid for 5th CD" . WisPolitics.com . March 1, 2018. Retrieved March 1, 2018 .
^ Beck, Nate (June 7, 2017). "Two Democrats, including a Kohl, emerge to challenge U.S. Rep. Glenn Grothman in 2018" . The Sheboygan Press . Retrieved June 7, 2017 .
^ "2018 Election United States House - Wisconsin - District 07 - FEC.gov" . FEC.gov . Retrieved 2018-02-14 .
^ Defour, Matthew (February 16, 2017). "With Sean Duffy out, Republican field for U.S. Senate in 2018 wide open" . The Journal Times .
^ a b c Anderson, Jonathan (September 12, 2017). "Liegeois to challenge Gallagher in 2018 8th Congressional District race" . Green Bay Press-Gazette . Retrieved September 12, 2017 .
External links
Official campaign websites of first district candidates
Official campaign websites of second district candidates
Official campaign websites of third district candidates
Official campaign websites of fourth district candidates
Official campaign websites of fifth district candidates
Official campaign websites of sixth district candidates
Official campaign websites of seventh district candidates
Official campaign websites of eighth district candidates
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