2002 Wisconsin Senate election

2002 Wisconsin State Senate election
November 5, 2002
17 of 33 seats in the Wisconsin Senate
17 seats needed for a majority
  Majority party Minority party
 
Leader Mary Panzer Russ Decker &
Fred Risser
Party Republican Democratic
Leader since January 25, 2000 October 21, 2002 &
October 21, 2002
Leader's seat 20th–West Bend 26th–Madison
29th–Weston
Last election 7 seats, 45.81% 9 seats, 53.12%
Seats before 15 18
Seats won 11 6
Seats after 18 15
Seat change Increase 3 Decrease 3
Popular vote 427,850 372,808
Percentage 52.71% 45.93%
Swing Increase 6.90% Decrease 7.19%

     Republican hold      Republican gain
     Democratic hold
     No election

     50–60%      60–70%      >90%
     60–70%      70–80%      >90%
     No election
President before election

Fred Risser
Democratic

 Elected President

Alan Lasee
Republican

The 2002 Wisconsin Senate election was held on Tuesday November 5, 2002, at the Fall general election in Wisconsin, alongside the election to the State Assembly and other statewide and local offices. The Seventeen odd-numbered seats in Wisconsin Senate were up for election. Prior to the election 18 seats were held by Democrats and 15 were held by Republicans. The primary election was held on September 10, 2002.

This was the first Wisconsin Senate election following the 2002 redistricting process, which saw federal courts draw the maps in the case Baumgart v. Wendelberger (2002). Republicans won four competitive senate races, flipping three seats held by Democratic incumbents. This election saw Democrats lose control of the Wisconsin Senate after having held control of the chamber since the 1998 election.

After this election, Republicans entered the 96th Wisconsin Legislature with 18 of 33 seats.

Summary

Seats Party
(majority caucus shading)
 Total
Republican Democratic
Last election (2000) 7 9 16
Total after last election (2000) 15 18 33
Total before this election 15 18 33
Up for election 8 9 17
of which: Incumbent retiring 1 1 2
Vacated 0 0 0
Unopposed 2 2 4
This election 11 6 17
Change from last election Increase 3 Decrease 3 Steady
Total after this election 18 15 33
Change in total Increase 3 Decrease 3 Steady
Party Candidates Votes
No. %
Republican 14 427,850 52.71%
Democratic 15 372,808 45.93%
Green 1 8,790 1.08%
Write-in – 2,245 0.27%
Total 1,521,649 100.0%
Popular vote
Republican
 
 52.71%
Democratic
 
 45.93%
Green
 
 1.08%
Scattering
 
 0.27%
Senate seats (up)
Republican
 
 64.71%
Democratic
 
 35.29%
Senate seats (total)
Republican
 
 54.55%
Democratic
 
 45.45%

Close races

Seats where the margin of victory was under 10%:

  • State Senate district 9, 0.08% (gain)
  • State Senate district 31, 0.99% (gain)
  • State Senate district 21, 1.54% (gain)
  • State Senate district 5, 6.12%

Outgoing incumbents

Retiring

Lost renomination

Candidates and results

Dist. Incumbent This race[3][4]
Member Party First elected Status General
01 Alan Lasee Republican 1977 (special) Incumbent re-elected
  • ▌Green tickY Alan Lasee (Rep.) 63.18%
  • ▌Susan Hilsabeck (Dem.) 36.77%
03 Brian Burke Democratic 1988 (special) Incumbent retired.
New member elected.
Democratic hold.
05 Peggy Rosenzweig Republican 1993 (special) Incumbent lost re-nomination.
New member elected.
Republican hold.
07 Richard Grobschmidt Democratic 1995 (special) Incumbent re-elected
09 James Baumgart Democratic 1998 Incumbent lost re-election.
New member elected.
Republican gain.
11 Joanne Huelsman Republican 1990 Incumbent retired.
New member elected.
Republican hold.
  • ▌Green tickY Neal Kedzie (Rep.) 69.10%
  • ▌Scott Woods (Dem.) 30.83 %
13 Scott L. Fitzgerald Republican 1994 Incumbent re-elected
15 Judy Robson Democratic 1998 Incumbent re-elected
  • ▌Green tickY Judy Robson (Dem.) 64.66%
  • ▌Gregory A.Black (Rep.) 35.30%
17 Dale Schultz Republican 1991 (special) Incumbent re-elected
  • ▌Green tickY Dale Schultz (Rep.) 66.92%
  • ▌Emmett J. Reilly (Dem.) 33.04%
19 Michael Ellis Republican 1982 Incumbent re-elected
21 Kimberly Plache Democratic 1996 (recall) Incumbent lost re-election.
New member elected.
Republican gain.
23 David Zien Republican 1993 (special) Incumbent re-elected
  • ▌Green tickY David Zien (Rep.) 63.25%
  • ▌Earl A. Larson (Dem.) 36.70%
25 Bob Jauch Democratic 1986 Incumbent re-elected
  • ▌Green tickY Robert Jauch (Dem.) 62.08%
  • ▌Gregg Condon (Rep.) 37.89%
27 Jon Erpenbach Democratic 1998 Incumbent re-elected
29 Russ Decker Democratic 1990 Incumbent re-elected
31 Rodney C. Moen Democratic 1982 Incumbent lost re-election.
New member elected.
Republican gain.
33 Theodore Kanavas Republican 2001 (special) Incumbent re-elected


Detailed results

District 1

Incumbent Republican Alan Lasee ran for re-election. He defeated Democrat Susan Hilsabeck by a wide margin.

District 1 general election[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Alan Lasee (incumbent) 67,979 64.46
Democratic Susan Hilsabeck 37,430 35.49
Write-in 50 0.05
Total votes 105,459 100.0

District 3

Incumbent Democrat Brian Burke declined to seek re-election. Democratic state representative Tim Carpenter defeated fellow Democrat Pat Farley in the primary by a 19-point margin. He was elected unopposed in the general election.

District 3 Democratic primary[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Tim Carpenter 8,491 52.92
Democratic Pat Farley 5,328 33.21
Democratic Roman R. Blenski (deceased) 2,187 13.63
Write-in 25 0.07
Total votes 33,063 100.0
District 3 general election[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Tim Carpenter 24,431 97.96
Write-in 508 2.04
Total votes 24,939 100.0

District 5

Incumbent Republican Peggy Rosenzweig ran for re-election. She faced businessman and perennial candidate Thomas G. Reynolds in the primary. During the campaign, the two candidates represented different sides to the Republican Party, with Rosenzweig being considered a liberal or moderate Republican, including on issues such as abortion, while Reynolds was considered the more conservative candidate.[5] Due to her moderate positions, grassroots elements of the Republican Party such as Citizens for Responsible Government coalesced behind Reynolds, who ran on a staunch conservative platform emphasizing his pro-life stances, as well as opposition to tax increases and reducing restrictions on firearms.[6] Despite this, Rosenzweig gained the support of the Republican political establishment, including Milwaukee County executive Scott Walker.[6] She was defeated in the primary election by Reynolds by a seven-point margin in an upset.[7] Reynolds went on to defeat Democrat George L. Christenson by a six-point margin.

Following her defeat, it was speculated Rosenzweig's re-election bid had been hurt by the fact Democrats had a competitive gubernatorial primary that year, which had pulled away Democratic voters who had previously crossed over to vote for Rosenzweig in the Republican primary.[8]

District 5 Republican primary[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Tom Reynolds 5,673 53.73
Republican Peggy Rosenzweig (incumbent) 4,882 46.24
Write-in 4 0.04
Total votes 10,559 100.0
District 5 general election[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Tom Reynolds 31,693 52.85
Democratic George L. Christenson 28,021 46.73
Write-in 256 0.43
Total votes 59,970 100.0

District 7

Incumbent Democrat Richard Grobschmidt ran for re-election. He faced Green Party candidate Jim Carpenter, defeating him by a wide margin.

District 7 general election[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Richard Grobschmidt (incumbent) 34,319 79.13
Green Jim Carpenter 8,790 20.27
Write-in 261 0.60
Total votes 43,370 100.0

District 9

Incumbent Democrat James Baumgart ran for re-election. He was defeated by Republican state legislator Joe Leibham by a narrow 46-vote margin.

District 9 general election[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Joe Leibham 27,858 50.01
Democratic James Baumgart (incumbent) 27,812 49.93
Write-in 34 0.06
Total votes 43,370 100.0

District 11

Incumbent Republican Joanne Huelsman declined to seek re-election due to redistricting. In the Republican primary, State legislator Neal Kedzie defeated Delafield mayor Jim Behrend and first-time candidate Jack Riley. Kedzie defeated Democrat Scott Woods by a wide margin in the general election.

District 11 Republican primary[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Neal Kedzie 5,534 56.70
Republican Jim Behrend 5,328 27.68
Republican Jack Riley 1,518 15.55
Write-in 6 0.06
Total votes 9,760 100.0
District 11 general election[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Neal Kedzie 36,603 69.10
Democratic Scott Woods 16,329 30.83
Write-in 36 0.07
Total votes 52,968 100.0

District 13

Incumbent Republican Scott Fitzgerald ran for re-election. He defeated Democrat Walt Christensen by a wide margin.

District 13 general election[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Scott Fitzgerald (incumbent) 36,359 68.72
Democratic Walt Christensen 16,516 31.22
Write-in 35 0.07
Total votes 52,910 100.0

District 15

Incumbent Democrat Judy Robson ran for re-election. She defeated Democrat Gregory A. Black by a wide margin.

District 13 general election[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Judy Robson (incumbent) 33,491 64.66
Republican Gregory A. Black 18,281 35.30
Write-in 20 0.04
Total votes 51,792 100.0

District 17

County results:
  Schultz—60–70%
  Schultz—70–80%

Incumbent Republican Dale Schultz ran for re-election. He defeated Democrat Emmett J. Reilly by a wide margin.

District 17 general election[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Dale Schultz (incumbent) 31,462 66.92
Democratic Emmett J. Reilly 15,534 33.04
Write-in 16 0.03
Total votes 47,012 100.0

District 19

Incumbent Republican Michael Ellis ran for re-election unopposed.

District 19 general election[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Michael Ellis (incumbent) 40,737 99.23
Write-in 317 0.77
Total votes 41,054 100.0

District 21

Incumbent Democrat Kimberly Plache ran for re-election. She was defeated by Republican business owner Cathy Stepp by a 773-vote margin. The Plache-Stepp race was described by some as a proxy battle between Republican leadership and the failing leadership of Chuck Chvala, with Plache having been the protege of the former majority leader.[9]

District 21 Republican primary[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Cathy Stepp 5,462 77.17
Republican Jim Behrend 1,613 22.79
Write-in 3 0.04
Total votes 7,078 100.0
District 21 general election[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Cathy Stepp 25,367 50.68
Democratic Kimberly Plache (incumbent) 24,594 49.14
Write-in 89 0.18
Total votes 50,050 100.0

District 23

County results:
  Zien—50–60%
  Zien—60–70%
  Zien—70–80%

Incumbent Republican David Zien ran for re-election. He defeated Democrat Earl A. Larson by a wide margin.

District 23 general election[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican David Zien (incumbent) 33,526 63.25
Democratic Earl A. Larson 19,452 36.70
Write-in 30 0.06
Total votes 53,008 100.0

District 25

County results:
  Jauch—50–60%
  Jauch—60–70%
  Jauch—70–80%
  Condon—50–60%

Incumbent Democrat Robert Jauch ran for re-election. He defeated Republican Gregg Condon by a wide margin.

District 25 general election[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Robert Jauch (incumbent) 33,993 62.08
Republican Gregg Condon 20,751 37.89
Write-in 16 0.03
Total votes 54,760 100.0

District 27

Incumbent Democrat Jon Erpenbach ran for re-election unopposed.

District 27 general election[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jon Erpenbach (incumbent) 46,571 99.35
Write-in 307 0.65
Total votes 46,878 100.0

District 29

County results:
  Decker—50–60%
  Decker—60–70%
  Decker—70–80%
  Edming—50–60%

Incumbent Democrat Russ Decker ran for re-election. He defeated Republican "Jimmy Boy" Edming by a wide margin.

District 29 general election[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Russ Decker (incumbent) 38,779 68.05
Republican Jimmy Boy Edming 18,201 31.94
Write-in 9 0.02
Total votes 56,989 100.0

District 31

County results:
  Brown—50–60%
  Moen—50–60%

Incumbent Democrat Rodney C. Moen ran for re-election. He was defeated by business owner Ron Brown.

District 31 general election[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Ron Brown 27,402 50.43
Democratic Rodney C. Moen (incumbent) 26,864 49.44
Write-in 68 0.13
Total votes 54,334 100.0

District 33

Incumbent Republican Theodore Kanavas ran for re-election unopposed.

District 33 general election[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Theodore Kanavas (incumbent) 44,527 99.52
Write-in 215 0.48
Total votes 44,742 100.0

See also

References

  1. ↑ Broder, David S. (June 23, 2002). "Scandals Rocking Wisconsin Politics". Washington Post. Retrieved 2026-06-21.
  2. ↑ Georgia Pabst, "Rosenzweig loses longtime seat", Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, September 11, 2002.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Results of Fall Primary Election - 09/10/2002 (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin State Elections Board. September 24, 2002. pp. 14–22. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2020-10-22. Retrieved 2026-06-21.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Results of Fall General Election - 11/05/2002 (Report). Wisconsin State Elections Board. December 2, 2002. pp. 6–11. Archived from the original on 2024-10-09. Retrieved 2026-06-21.
  5. ↑ Rowan, James (August 17, 2004). "Panzer attack: gender politics in action?". WisPolitics – via OnMilwaukee. She was ousted by now incumbent state Sen. Tom Reynolds, R-West Allis, who is farther to the right than was the moderate Rosenzweig, and, for that matter, farther to the right than just about everyone else in the Legislature.
  6. 1 2 Millard, Pete (September 1, 2002). "Redistricting sparks hot GOP primary". BizJournal. Archived from the original on 2016-05-09. Retrieved 2026-08-09.
  7. ↑ Bice, Daniel (August 30, 2013). "Former Sen. Tom Reynolds jailed for contempt of court". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved 2026-08-09.
  8. ↑ Stein, Jason; Tolan, Tom (September 15, 2010). "Democrats crossing over to GOP primary helped fuel Plale's loss". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved 2026-08-09. "They did a Rosenzweig on him," said Wasserman, referring to the 2002 GOP primary in which conservative Tom Reynolds knocked off long-serving Sen. Peggy Rosenzweig when her more liberal voters deserted her to vote in a hard-fought Democratic governor's primary.
  9. ↑ Snow, Dick (November 7, 2002). "Ins and outs of the morning after". The Daily Reporter. Retrieved 2026-06-28.
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