Republican Brad Schimel has been named Wisconsin’s new attorney general, drawing approximately 51.6 percent of the vote, compared to approximately 45.4 percent for Democrat Susan Happ.
Schimel, 49, will replace outgoing Republican Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen, who announced last year he would not be seeking a third term.
In his victory speech, Schimel said he was proud of running an issues-based campaign that gained bipartisan support from law enforcement officials and voters.
“We won tonight because we had the best team, the best message and the best volunteers that I could have asked for,” Schimel said. “We worked hard and we worked smart.”
Schimel, who has served as Waukesha County district attorney since 2006, emphasized his commitment to addressing the state’s heroin problem, stopping Internet predators and increasing safety in neighborhoods and college campuses.
“I am sick and tired of meeting with parents that have buried their children because of this drug scourge that our state is facing,” Schimel said. “I pledge to work with my opponent, along with all 71 of the district attorneys statewide as we work together to make a safe Wisconsin.”
Schimel graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political science from UW-Milwaukee in 1987 and a law degree from UW-Madison in 1990. As attorney general, he will serve as the state’s top legal advisor and law enforcement officer.
He celebrated the win by playing with his band “4 On the Floor.”
In her concession speech, Happ said she was disappointed, but happy with how she ran her campaign.
“We never sunk into negativity or divisiveness,” Happ said. “We raised some important issues and I hope we raised some public awareness.”
Happ has served as district attorney for Jefferson County since 2008 and also holds a law degree from UW-Madison.
In other state Cabinet races, Democrat Doug La Follette retained his position as secretary of state, receiving approximately 50 percent of the vote against Republican Julian Bradley.
Republican Matt Adamczyk was elected as state treasurer, an office which, according to his campaign website, he has promised to eliminate on the basis that it is unnecessary and an example of government waste.
