Walker takes big hit in Assembly race outcome

Democrats won only one seat in the WI State Assembly, but look whose seat it was. And, boy, is it a big deal.

Democrat Steve Doyle defeated Republican John Lautz in the 94th State Assembly District (Monroe and LaCrosse Counties) by a 54%-46% margin for the seat vacated by Republican Mike Huebsch, who was tabbed by Walker to become his Secretary of Administration.

So why is this such a big deal?

Huebsch is Walker's guy--responsible for the budget and for writing the proposal that eliminated collective bargaining for state employees.   Huebsch's hometown paper, the LaCrosse Tribune calls Huebsch the "man in charge" and occupying "what is widely regarded as the most powerful political seat in Wisconsin after the Governor."  As a matter of fact, the last time we saw an Assembly race in the 94th District, Huebsch was re-elected with almost 60% of the vote.

If the people were really with him and his policies, wouldn't you figure his replacement would be a shoo-in?  Instead, a Democrat got the nod in a larger margin (8%) than Walker's self-implied "mandate" when he beat Barrett in the 2010 Gubernatorial election  (about 5%).  It's not unlike what happened to Walker's replacement for his Milwaukee County Executive post, although that was even more pronounced--Walker's pal Jeff Stone got positively stomped by newcomer Chris Abele 61%-39%.

That means the Republican-connected replacements of the state's two most influential politicians most responsible for recent policies of current Wisconsin government were absolutely spanked.

That is a big deal.

The other Assembly races in Republican-laden districts, the 60th (Washington &Ozaukee Counties) and the 83rd (Waukesha, Walworth & Racine Counties) weren't close, but Dem Rick Aaron in 60 garnered 24% in a district that didn't even bother to run a Democrat in 2010, and James Brownlow gained about 5%  from his Democratic predecessor in the 2010 election. (2010 results here; 2011 results here).

So it looks as though the non-Walker base is out there.  It's alive and breathing, and soon will be coming for some unscrupulous Senators.

And, then, Governor, it's coming for you.

Chink in the Armor?

I was going to wait until the results were in, but I'm going to say ahead of time that, yes, the special elections for three Wisconsin State Assembly seats is an important statement for non-Walker forces.

Walker's appointment of three Representatives for his administration created the openings in a 60 Rep-37 Dem (one independent) State Assembly, and to be honest, moving three to the Blue side of the aisle won't make much of a difference as far as voting legislation goes.  The Republican puppets will still do as the puppetmaster commands.

However, the results will speak volumes about the satisfaction level of Wisconsin voters.  Some, such as the AP in the Chicago Tribune, are touting this as a virtual referendum on labor issues.

If labor has managed to mobilize and keep its base energized, there should be some tangible results.  Just as JoAnne Kloppenburg ran David Prosser to an almost vrtual dead heat in the State Supreme Court race--after finishing 30 points behind him in the primary--and the in-your-face vote for Milwaukee County exec Chris Abele over Walker pal Jeff Stone--in Walker's old job, by an incredible 61%-39% margin, so, too, will this gauge how the electorate is leaning.

Granted, of these three Assembly seats, two--District 60 in Washington/Ozaukee Counties (Candidate Rick Aaron), and District 83 (Candidate James Brownlow against Paul Ryan disciple Dave Craig) in Racine/Walworth/Waukesha--are stalwart Republican strongholds.  Even a 30% showing for Dems would be somewhat of a statement (Democrats usually garner no more than 25% or so of the vote in these districts).  35% would be major.  UPDATE: Upon further review, District 83 only went 21% for Dems in 2010, District 60 didn't even run a candidate. 
District 94 (parts of LaCrosse and Monroe Counties) has a real chance to turn the tide (as of this moment, LaCrosse station WXOW is reporting a 51-49% lead for Democrat Steve Doyle, with 23% of the precincts reporting).

It's possible by the time I actually get off my butt and post this thing, the election results will be announced.

Hopefully, for the state of Wisconsin, it's good news.

THIS WILL BE UPDATED AS RESULTS COME IN.

9:27 PM JS Online
Dist. 60  100% reporting
Stroebel , GOP, 7,331 votes, 76%
Aaron,     Dem,  2,357 votes, 24%

Dist. 83  100% reporting
Craig,      GOP,  8,313 votes, 74%
Brownlow, Dem, 2,895 votes, 26%

Dist. 94 100% reporting
Lautz       GOP,  7,219 votes, 46%
Doyle,     Dem,  8,369 votes, 54%

Special Election Tuesday--Vote!

Tuesday (tomorrow) is a special election to fill three seats vacated by Republicans appointed to Walker's administration.  Even though the elections are in pretty heavy Republican districts, I'm betting not a lot of Republicans show up to vote, so it's possible for a strong Dem showing. 

In my nearby race:
State Assembly 60th District  (Hey, you Trenton people, GO VOTE)--Democrat Rick Aaron,
former teacher and veteran, info about Rick Aaron info here and here.

District 83: Democrat James Brownlow info here
District 94: Democrat Steve Doyle info here

Call your friends and neighbors to help Dems (aka "voice of reason") make up some ground in the State Assembly.