Wisconsin Democrats are planning to spend $7 million on television ads in five state Senate races that they believe are crucial to regaining control of the chamber. The targeted races are in Milwaukee’s northern suburbs, rural areas north of Madison, the Fox Cities, Green Bay, and La Crosse. Currently, Republicans hold a 22-10 supermajority in the 33-seat Senate, but Democrats are hoping that new district boundaries signed by Gov. Tony Evers in February will help them narrow the GOP advantage. There are 16 Senate seats up for election in November, including eight held by Republicans and four open seats. Democrats need to win 13 seats in order to gain the majority.
This will be the first time in more than 20 years where Democrats have put up a candidate in every Senate race on the ballot. The Democrats plan to run ads in key districts such as the 8th Senate District, which includes Milwaukee’s conservative-leaning northern suburbs. In this district, Democrat Jodi Habush Sinykin will be facing off against Republican Sen. Duey Stroebel. Ads will also be run in the redrawn 14th District, the 18th District, the 30th District, and the 32nd District. These districts were chosen because President Joe Biden and Gov. Tony Evers won them in 2020 and 2022, respectively, implying that Democratic legislative candidates have a good chance of success in these areas.
The targeted ads are set to begin airing after Wisconsin’s August 13 primary. The ads will be tailored to focus on specific issues in each district. For example, the 8th District covers parts of Milwaukee’s northern suburbs, while the 14th District includes areas of Columbia, Marquette, Green Lake, and Waupaca counties. The 18th District now runs from Appleton south to Oshkosh along Lake Winnebago’s western shore and is an open seat. Candidates from both parties are vying for the seat. The 30th District covers the western shore of Green Bay, from the city of Green Bay north to Marinette, and is also an open seat being contested by Democrat Jamie Wall and Republican Jim Rafter. In the 32nd District in western Wisconsin, Republican Stacey Klein is challenging Democratic incumbent Brad Pfaff.
The State Senate Democratic Committee’s executive director, Andrew Whitley, stated that the districts were chosen based on the results of the 2020 and 2022 elections, where President Biden and Gov. Evers were successful. This suggests that Democratic candidates in these districts have a solid chance of winning. On the other hand, a spokesperson for Senate Republican Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu did not immediately respond to inquiries regarding the Democrats’ ad campaign. The outcome of these targeted ads and the upcoming elections in November will play a significant role in determining the balance of power in the Wisconsin State Senate.
In summary, Wisconsin Democrats are investing $7 million in television ads for key state Senate races in an effort to regain control of the chamber. The targeted races are spread across various districts such as Milwaukee’s northern suburbs, rural areas north of Madison, the Fox Cities, Green Bay, and La Crosse. With Republicans currently holding a 22-10 supermajority in the 33-seat Senate, Democrats are hoping that the newly redrawn district boundaries will help them close the gap. Key districts have been selected based on previous election results, with tailored ads set to air after the August 13 primary. The outcome of these strategic ad campaigns will have a significant impact on the balance of power in the Wisconsin State Senate.
