Fall Election contests Set after August 14 Primary

Races for Governor, US Senate, Local Legislative Districts
With several highly-competitive races at stake, Wisconsin Primary Election voters turned out in record numbers on August 14 and whittled down the field to one candidate for each party for offices ranging from Governor and US Senator to local legislative seats. An active campaign will now ensue heading towards the November 6 general election.

At the top of the ticket, State Senator Leah Vukmir won the GOP nomination over Kevin Nicholson for the right to face US Senator Tammy Baldwin (D), and State Supt. of Schools Tony Evers won an 8-way race to take on incumbent Governor Scott Walker.  Also on the ballot this fall will be Secretary of State and State Treasurer.

Locally, Jodi Emerson emerged the winner in a competitive 4-way race for the Democratic nomination for Eau Claire's 91st Assembly District, former State Rep. Jeff Smith of Eau Claire took first in a 3-way contest for the 31st District Democratic Senate nomination, and Rob Grover of Galesville won a 3-way race for the Democratic nomination in the 92nd Assembly District. Emerson will face Republican Echo Reardon this fall in the seat given up by current Rep. Dana Wachs. Smith's Republican opponent is Mel Pittman of Plum City, who ran in 2014 against current Senator Kathleen Vinehout, who ran unsuccessfully for the Gubernatorial nomination.  In the 92nd, Grover will face incumbent Republic State Rep. Trieg Pronschinske of Mondovi. There will also be contested races this fall in the 23rd Senate district, and 67th, 68th, and 93rd Assembly Districts.

Click here for the complete Primary Election Results.
To see who is on your ballot for the fall, go to: myvotewi.gov

Candidates Forum, Good Government Council Questionnaire planned
As the fall campaign gets underway, watch for communications from the Chamber with resources to help you make your voting decisions, including:

• October 11: Candidates Forum with media partners the Leader-Telegram, WQOW TV 18 and Valley Media Works (Community Television) covering the 23rd and 31st Senate Districts, along with the 67th, 68th, 91st and 93rd Assembly Districts. The event will be at 6:30 p.m. at CVTC's Business Education Center. 
• Our Good Government Council Questionnaire covering issues important to the business community with answer from local legislative candidates.
• Opportunities to meet statewide candidates at events to be scheduled for Chamber members to meet and hear from them. (These events will depend upon the candidates campaigns accepted our invitation to schedule them.)

The Chamber will reach out to members to let you know more about these opportunities as they become available. 

The Eau Claire Chamber does not endorse candidates for public office, but works to provide information to its members to help them make informed decisions.

​Posted by: Scott Rogers, Governmental Affairs & Workforce Director
​rogers@eauclairechamber.org