Republican John Leiber defeated Democrat Aaron Richardson in Wisconsin’s midterm election for state treasurer by a narrow margin of 1.6% Wednesday morning.
In what was predicted to be a low-stakes race, the vote for the treasurer encountered notable challenges since the 2018 referendum on terminating the treasurer position altogether in Wisconsin. Voters, however, decided the position was necessary.
The Wisconsin treasurer is responsible for fiscal oversight, investments and economic reliability for residents. Republicans limited the power of the treasurer by taking away debt management responsibilities.
Heading into the new victory of Leiber, it will be key to see how his ideological shift from the last treasurer will enable greater expulsion to the position.
“I don’t want to waste money by expanding the treasurer’s office just so I can feel better about it,” Leiber said on Wisconsin Public Radio. “[It] doesn’t help the citizens of Wisconsin.”
Inflation was also an important point of Leiber's campaign.
“Inflation is at a record high and Wisconsin deserves a State Treasurer who will protect our investments now and in the future,” he announced on his campaign website. “We need a Treasurer who will focus on the actual duties of this office and keep government small.”
Ava Menkes is the managing editor at The Daily Cardinal. She previously served as the state news editor. She has covered multiple stories about the upcoming election, healthcare and campus, and written in-depth about rural issues, legislative maps and youth voter turnout. She will be an incoming intern with Wisconsin Watch. Follow her on Twitter at @AvaMenkes.
