Republican state Representative Jerry Petrowski has won an election to fill an open seat in the Wisconsin state Senate. With more than two-thirds of precincts reporting, Petrowski defeated state Representative Donna Seidel (D-Wausau).
“One person, one candidate could not do this on their own,” Petrowski said in thanking supporters who gathered at the ReLocation Pub in Kronenwetter.
The outcome keeps the 29th Senate district seat in Republican hands for the next two years. Pam Galloway resigned the seat in March because of family health issues. Her resignation left the Senate evenly split with 16 Democrats and 16 Republicans.
“While we did not get the result we wanted, I hope those who have been elected this evening will live up to their claims to bring Wisconsin together,” Seidel said in a statement. “I congratulate Jerry Petrowski and I hope he remembers that he represents all of his constituents, not just those who voted for him.”
Seidel had given up her Assembly seat to run in the recall. Petrowski – a former ginseng, dairy and beef farmer – was first elected to the Assembly in 1998. He has been re-elected every two years since.
WSAU