Republican incumbent Sen. Ron Johnson battled Democratic former Sen. Russ Feingold for the Wisconsin Senate seat Tuesday, winning a second term despite trailing in every poll before Election Day.
Even though many considered Feingold the favorite, the race tightened up during the last week, showing a close statistical tie before election day.
Johnson celebrated his victory in his hometown of Oshkosh, where Gov. Scott Walker took to the stage first to congratulate Johnson.
During his victory speech, Johnson confirmed this would be his last term as U.S. senator.
“Working together as Wisconsinites, as Americans, we are going to save this country,” Johnson said. “We’ve been given a chance.”
In the 2010 Senate election, Johnson unseated then-incumbent Feingold for the seat. Prior to that election, Feingold had served three terms as U.S. Senator from 1993 to 2011. Johnson left his company, PACUR, and the business world to join the political arena in 2010.
Following his loss in 2010, Feingold and many supporters throughout the state hoped this election would bring redemption, and help Democrats nationwide in regaining control of the U.S. Senate. The pressure to win was high, as the presidential election proved to be a closer race than predicted. With a Johnson win, the Republicans moved one seat closer to maintaining control of the U.S. Senate. The Republicans have held the majority since the 2014 midterm elections.
At his own watch party in Madison, Feingold encouraged unity from his supporters while expressing concern for the future state of the nation.
“We need to come together, be as restrained as you can be as the next steps come. This could be the most challenging times of this country,” Johnson said. “We will get through this and I look forward to helping in anyway that I can, but now it is up to you.”
State Rep. Chris Taylor, D-Madison, also conveyed her concern at the results of the election.
“It’s really disappointing that someone like Ron Johnson is elected again. He doesn’t stand up for Wisconsin families, he doesn’t stand up for students,” Taylor said.
Johnson, a native of Minnesota currently living in Oshkosh, studied at the University of Minnesota before working at the plastics manufacturing company called PACUR, founded by Johnson’s brother-in-law, Pat Curler. Johnson eventually purchased PACUR in 1997 and worked as CEO until he decided to run for U.S. senator in 2010.
Throughout the past six years as senator, Johnson sponsored bills focusing on issues like countering radical terrorism, veteran safety, freedom in healthcare and human trafficking detection. During his senate term from 2010 to 2016, Johnson missed a total of 2.2 percent of roll call votes. Since Johnson is seen as one of the more conservative voices in the Senate, Feingold supporters were holding out for a victory. Many progressives viewed Feingold as one of their top leaders while he was in the Senate.
Johnson believes in free markets, reduced federal spending and increased national defense spending. Johnson opposes abortion on demand and the Affordable Care Act. With his reelection, he will likely continue to campaign for these issues, which will only become more important with the Senate and presidency in Republican control.
Johnson and Feingold had sparred frequently as Election Day neared. Johnson declared Feingold “phony,” saying he was a career politician. Feingold called Johnson out for not focusing on the needs of the Wisconsin people while also targeting Johnson’s positions on minimum wage and student debt. During the final few days preceding the election, Johnson received a huge influx in campaign funding from super PACs and other groups, increasing his number of campaign ads.
Contrary to Johnson, Feingold sponsored issues including Medicare, renewable energy and accessible healthcare and missed a total of .2 percent of roll call votes. While serving his three terms, Feingold voted progressively on issues and favors policies including abortion and women’s rights, increased federal spending and the Affordable Care Act.
Johnson’s victory paved the way to the Republicans holding control of the Senate. With a Republican presidential victory secured with nominee Donald Trump, two branches of the government are now within the Republican control for the first time in years.
Alex Walker, chair of UW-Madison’s College Republicans, said the race was a boost for students, calling Johnson a champion of job creation and college affordability.
“Our biggest focus in Wisconsin was always on his campaign,” Walker said. “It hit close to home for us and to deliver for him was huge for us.”
