Authors: Will Kenneally and Sam Buisman
Democrat Tony Evers denied Gov. Scott Walker a third term and will become Wisconsin's next governor.
A late surge of votes in Milwaukee were enough to push Evers over the one percent threshold needed to avoid a recount. The late call came at 1:24 a.m., more than five hours after the polls closed on Tuesday.
In his victory speech, Evers said it is “time for a change” and added that “I will always work for you.”
Walker conceded to Evers on Wednesday, saying he “offered the full support of my staff and our cabinet as he begins the transition process.”
“It has been my honor to serve as your Governor for nearly eight years,” Walker said in a statement. “We've come a long way together and it is my sincere hope that the progress we've made during our time in office will continue and that we can keep Wisconsin working for generations to come.”
Statewide polling taken right before the election indicated that the race would be close. An Oct. 31 poll released by Marquette University Law School found the two candidates tied at 47 percent among likely voters.
Other state races:
Democratic attorney general candidate Josh Kaul declared victory Wednesday with a narrow lead of roughly 23 thousand votes (.86 percent) in the race against Republican incumbent Brad Schimel. The Associated Press has not yet declared a winner in that race.
In the treasurer's race Democrat Sarah Godlewski beat Republican Travis Hartwig 51-47 for an open seat. Secretary of State Doug La Follette, won reelection over his Republican challenger Jay Schroeder.
Congressional races:
Democratic incumbent Tammy Baldwin retained her U.S. Senate seat in the race against Republican Leah Vukmir.
Read full coverage of the race here.
Republican Bryan Steil beat Democrat Randy Bryce for Paul Ryan's open seat in Wisconsin's 1st Congressional District.
The rest of Wisconsin's congressional incumbents retained their seats.
State legislature:
Republicans will continue to control both chambers in the state legislature. Republicans gained a seat in the state Senate that was won by Democrat Caleb Frostman in a June special election.
Editor's note: This story was updated to include Gov. Scott Walker's concession and new numbers on the attorney general's race.
