Republicans Sean Duffy and Reid Ribble have won northern Wisconsin’s U.S. House seats. Wisconsin’s 7th District congressional seat has been held by David Obey of Wausau since 1969. The race became one of the most-sought-after by Republicans and Democrats since Obey announced his retirement last summer. Duffy, a former Ashland County D.A., was prepared to run against Obey, but instead faced Stevens Point state Senator Julie Lassa, who was recruited to run for the Democrats.
The race has attracted large amounts of special interest and outside-of-district money. The most recent campaign finance reports showed that outside interests had spent more than the candidates themselves on political advertising.
In Wisconsin’s 8th District, Democrat Steven Kagen was seeking a second term representing Green Bay, the Fox Valley, and the northeastern part of the state. Kagen, a key supporter of health care reform, lost to Republican Ribble, a roofing contractor.
