Incumbent Democrat Josh Kaul defeated Republican challenger Eric Toney in Wisconsin's Attorney General election Wednesday morning by a narrow margin of 50.6% to 49.4%.
“Earlier tonight, I spoke with District Attorney Eric Toney, who offered his congratulations. I want to thank him for running a hard-fought race,” Kaul said in a Wednesday statement. “I’m grateful that Wisconsinites have put their trust in me to serve as Attorney General for another four years.”
A particularly contentious issue in the race was abortion access. Kaul pledged not to prosecute any violation of the reinstated the 1849 law which banned all abortions with no exception for rape or incest.
“I’ve been very clear as a D.A., and as attorney general I’m going to enforce the law,” said Toney, the Fond du Lac District Attorney, in a PBS interview. “And right now, that means we have an abortion ban on the books here in Wisconsin.”
These statements reflected Toney’s hardline approach and campaign promises to fight crime, support law enforcement, protect families and enforce the rule of law.
Kaul’s campaign focused on public safety and his “Safer Wisconsin” plan, which features an investment of $115 million into a variety of Department of Justice services and the enactment of various gun-safety policies.
As these policy promises follow him into office, Kaul is hopeful about the future.
“I look forward to the work ahead of us as we continue to deliver results,” Kaul said in a celebratory Facebook post, “and work to build safer and stronger communities across the state.”
