Wisconsin Primaries Set Stage for Crucial Senate and House Races
Wisconsin voters head to polls for pivotal primaries, selecting candidates for key Senate and House races. New legislative maps and constitutional amendments add significance to Tuesday's elections.
On Tuesday, August 13, 2024, Wisconsin voters will cast their ballots in primary elections that will shape the state's political landscape. These primaries come at a crucial time for the Badger State, which has been a battleground in recent elections.
The U.S. Senate race is drawing significant attention. Tammy Baldwin, seeking her third term, faces no opposition in the Democratic primary. On the Republican side, businessman Eric Hovde is the frontrunner, having received an endorsement from former President Donald Trump. Hovde's substantial $13 million loan to his campaign has allowed him to launch early attacks against Baldwin, setting the stage for a heated general election contest.
Wisconsin's political importance extends beyond its dairy production, for which it's famously known as "America's Dairyland." The state has a rich history of political significance, being the birthplace of the Republican Party in 1854. Its voters have shown their ability to swing elections, with recent presidential and Senate races decided by margins of less than 27,000 votes in a state of nearly 6 million people.
Two U.S. House district primaries are particularly noteworthy. In the western 3rd Congressional District, Democrats Rebecca Cooke and state Rep. Katrina Shankland are vying for the chance to challenge Republican incumbent Derrick van Orden. The northeastern 8th Congressional District sees a three-way Republican primary to fill the seat vacated by Rep. Mike Gallagher in April 2024.
The state legislature elections are taking place under new district maps signed into law by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers earlier this year. This redistricting could potentially reshape the Republican-controlled legislature, with nearly two-thirds of the 99-member Assembly seats open.
Wisconsin's political engagement is reflected in its history. It was the first state to ratify the 19th Amendment, granting women the right to vote. Today, as of August 1, 2024, there were 3,456,732 registered voters in the state, with 216,156 ballots cast early as of August 7, 2024.
Two constitutional amendments on the ballot seek to limit the governor's power in spending federal funds. These measures, introduced by Republicans in the state legislature, would require legislative approval for the governor to allocate certain federal monies.
"Polls will close at 9 p.m. ET on Tuesday. Any registered voter may participate in any party's primary."
As voters head to the polls, they'll be participating in a democratic process deeply rooted in Wisconsin's history. From its status as the 30th state to join the Union in 1848 to its current role as a pivotal swing state, Wisconsin continues to play a crucial role in shaping national politics.
The results of these primaries will set the stage for the November 5, 2024, general election, where Wisconsin's voice will once again be heard on the national stage. With its blend of urban centers like Madison and Milwaukee, and vast rural areas home to thousands of lakes and miles of rivers, Wisconsin's diverse electorate will have their say in determining the future direction of their state and the nation.
