2025 Wisconsin elections
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| Elections in Wisconsin |
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The 2025 Wisconsin Spring Election was held in the U.S. state of Wisconsin on April 1, 2025. The featured race at the top of the ticket was an open seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, which became the most expensive judicial race in history. The election also included a state-wide race for Superintendent of Public Instruction. Several other nonpartisan local and judicial offices were also on the ballot, as were many local school funding referenda. The 2025 Wisconsin Spring Primary was held February 18, 2025.[1][2][3]
The Democratic Party of Wisconsin was seen as broadly victorious across the state's Spring elections. In the Supreme Court race, the Democrats' preferred candidate, Susan M. Crawford, defeated the Republicans' preferred candidate, Brad Schimel, maintaining the liberal 4–3 majority on the high court. The Democrats also supported the incumbent state superintendent, Jill Underly, who won a second four-year term. Down ballot, Democrats saw success in many local elections including in emerging bellweather Winnebago County, where former Assembly minority leader Gordon Hintz defeated a Republican incumbent to become county executive. Democrats also supported a number of successful school funding referenda throughout the state.
The one notable Republican bright spot was the ratification of an amendment to the Constitution of Wisconsin, which enshrined a photo identification requirement to vote. Although voter ID was already a requirement in Wisconsin due to existing state laws.
State offices
[edit]Executive
[edit]Superintendent of Public Instruction
[edit]A regularly-scheduled election for Superintendent of Public Instruction of Wisconsin was on the ballot for the general election on April 1, 2025. The incumbent superintendent Jill Underly, first elected in 2021, won her second four-year term, defeating education consultant Brittany Kinser.[4]
Sauk County superintendent Jeff Wright also ran, but was eliminated in the February 18 nonpartisan primary.[5][6]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonpartisan primary, February 18, 2025[7][8] | |||||
| Nonpartisan | Jill Underly (incumbent) | 177,626 | 37.90% | +10.67% | |
| Nonpartisan | Brittany Kinser | 161,636 | 34.49% | ||
| Nonpartisan | Jeff Wright | 128,292 | 27.38% | ||
| Write-in | 1,055 | 0.23% | |||
| Total votes | 468,609 | 100.00% | +43.71% | ||
| General election, April 1, 2025 (unofficial results)[9] | |||||
| Nonpartisan | Jill Underly (incumbent) | 1,148,451 | 52.90% | −4.67% | |
| Nonpartisan | Brittany Kinser | 1,022,360 | 47.10% | +4.83% | |
| Plurality | 126,091 | 5.80% | -9.50% | ||
| Total votes | 2,170,811 | 100.00% | +137.39% | ||
Judicial
[edit]State Supreme Court
[edit]A regularly-scheduled Wisconsin Supreme Court election was on the ballot for the general election on April 1, 2025, for a ten-year term on the court. The incumbent judge, Ann Walsh Bradley, did not run for re-election, retiring after 30 years on the court.[1] Dane County circuit judge Susan M. Crawford defeated Waukesha County circuit judge and former state attorney general Brad Schimel, maintaining the 4–3 liberal majority on the court.[10]
The 2025 Wisconsin Supreme Court election became the most expensive judicial race in United States history, surpassing the 2023 Wisconsin Supreme Court election. Total spending on the race reached nearly $100 million; billionaire Elon Musk—at the time a senior advisor to U.S. President Donald Trump—spent more than $25 million dollars through his political action committees on behalf of Brad Schimel.[11]
State Court of Appeals
[edit]Three seats on the Wisconsin Court of Appeals were on the ballot for the general election on April 1, 2025.[12]
- In District II, incumbent judge Mark Gundrum was unopposed for a third six-year term. He was appointed to the court by Governor Scott Walker in 2011 and won election in 2013 and 2019 without opposition.
- In District III, incumbent judge Lisa K. Stark was unopposed for a third six-year term. She was elected without opposition in 2013 and re-elected without opposition in 2019. After winning her first election, she was appointed to begin her term early due to a vacancy.
- In District IV, incumbent judge Jennifer E. Nashold was unopposed for a second six-year term. She was first elected without opposition in 2019.
State circuit courts
[edit]Thirty eight of the state's 261 circuit court seats were on the ballot for the general election on April 1, 2025. Only eight seats were contested; five incumbent judges faced a challenger, three were defeated.[12]
- In Jefferson County's branch 1 race, incumbent judge Will Gruber defeated a challenge from attorney Jack Chavez.
- In Jefferson County's branch 2 race, incumbent judge Theresa Beck defeated a challenge from attorney Jennifer Weber.
- In La Crosse County, attorney Joe Veenstra defeated family court commissioner Eric Sanford to succeed retiring judge judge Ramona Gonzalez.[13]
- In Marinette County, district attorney DeShea Morrow defeated incumbent judge Peggy Miller.[14][15]
- In Racine County, public defender Jamie McClendon defeated incumbent judge Jon Fredrickson.[16][17]
- In St. Croix County, deputy district attorney Brian Smestad defeated county corporation counsel Heather Amos to succeed retiring judge Edward Vlack.[18] Attorney James Johnson was eliminated in the primary.[19]
- In Waukesha County's branch 4 race, assistant district attorney David Maas defeated incumbent judge Bridget Schoenborn.[20]
- In Waukesha County's branch 6 race, assistant district attorney Zach Wittchow defeated former circuit judge Fred Strampe to succeed retiring judge and Supreme Court candidate Brad Schimel.[20]
| Circuit | Branch | Incumbent | Notes | Candidate(s) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Entered office | ||||
| Brown | 3 | Tammy Jo Hock | 2012 | Appointed by Scott Walker | Tammy Jo Hock |
| 4 | Samantha Wagner | 2024 | Appointed by Tony Evers | Samantha Wagner | |
| 7 | Timothy A. Hinkfuss | 2007 | Timothy A. Hinkfuss | ||
| Crawford | Lukas Steiner | 2024 | Appointed by Tony Evers | Lukas Steiner | |
| Dane | 2 | Payal Khandhar | 2024 | Appointed by Tony Evers | Payal Khandhar |
| 16 | Rhonda L. Lanford | 2013 | Rhonda L. Lanford | ||
| Dodge | 3 | Joseph G. Sciascia | 2013 | Incumbent retiring. | Chad Wozniak |
| Eau Claire | 2 | Douglas Hoffer | 2024 | Appointed by Tony Evers | Douglas Hoffer |
| Green | 2 | Jane Bucher | 2024 | Appointed by Tony Evers | Jane Bucher[21] |
| Jefferson | 1 | William V. Gruber | 2018 | Appointed by Scott Walker | William V. Gruber John A. Chavez |
| 2 | Theresa Beck | 2024 | Appointed by Tony Evers | Theresa Beck Jennifer L. Weber | |
| La Crosse | 1 | Ramona A. Gonzalez | 1995 | Incumbent retiring. | Joe Veenstra Eric S. Sanford |
| 2 | Elliott Levine | 2007 | Elliott Levine | ||
| 4 | Scott L. Horne | 2007 | Scott L. Horne | ||
| Lafayette | Jenna Gill | 2024 | Appointed by Tony Evers | Jenna Gill | |
| Lincoln | 2 | Robert Russell | 2013 | Incumbent retiring. | Jessica Fehrenbach |
| Manitowoc | 1 | Mark R. Rohrer | 2013 | Mark R. Rohrer | |
| Marinette | 1 | Peggy Miller | 2024 | Appointed by Tony Evers | Peggy L. Miller DeShea D'aun Morrow |
| 2 | James A. Morrison | 2012 | Appointed by Scott Walker | James A. Morrison | |
| Marquette | Chad A. Hendee | 2019 | Chad A. Hendee | ||
| Milwaukee | 6 | John Remington | 2024 | Appointed by Tony Evers | John Remington |
| 11 | David C. Swanson | 2013 | David C. Swanson | ||
| 26 | William S. Pocan | 2006 | Appointed by Jim Doyle | William S. Pocan | |
| 36 | Laura A. Crivello | 2018 | Appointed by Scott Walker | Laura A. Crivello | |
| 40 | Danielle L. Shelton | 2019 | Danielle L. Shelton | ||
| 41 | Lena Taylor | 2024 | Appointed by Tony Evers | Lena Taylor | |
| Monroe | 1 | Todd L. Ziegler | 2007 | Todd L. Ziegler | |
| Ozaukee | 1 | Adam Y. Gerol | 2024 | Appointed by Tony Evers | Adam Y. Gerol |
| 2 | Steve Cain | 2019 | Steve Cain | ||
| Racine | 4 | Scott Craig | 2024 | Appointed by Tony Evers | Scott Craig |
| 7 | Jon E. Fredrickson | 2018 | Appointed by Scott Walker | Jon E. Fredrickson Jamie McClendon | |
| Rock | 1 | Karl R. Hanson | 2018 | Appointed by Scott Walker | Karl R. Hanson |
| 2 | Derrick A. Grubb | 2018 | Appointed by Scott Walker | Derrick A. Grubb | |
| St. Croix | 2 | Edward F. Vlack III | 2001 | Appointed by Scott Walker Incumbent retiring. |
Heather M. Amos James Jamie Johnson Brian T. Smestad |
| Waukesha | 1 | Michael O. Bohren | 2000 | Appointed by Tommy Thompson Incumbent retiring. |
Scott Wagner[22] |
| 4 | Bridget Schoenborn | 2024 | Appointed by Tony Evers | David Maas Bridget Schoenborn | |
| 6 | Brad D. Schimel | 2018 | Appointed by Scott Walker Incumbent retiring. |
Fred Strampe Zach Wittchow[23] | |
| Wood | 1 | Gregory James Jerabek | 2024 | Appointed by Tony Evers | Gregory James Jerabek |
Ballot measures
[edit]Spring Question 1
[edit]
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Photographic identification for voting. Shall section 1m of article III of the constitution be created to require that voters present valid photographic identification verifying their identity in order to vote in any election, subject to exceptions which may be established by law? | |||||||||||||
| Results | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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A constitutional amendment was ratified by voters at the Spring general election, April 1, 2025. The amendment added a voter ID requirement for voting in Wisconsin. Wisconsin law already required that an active form of photo identification be submitted to vote.[24]
The question read:
Photographic identification for voting. Shall section 1m of article III of the constitution be created to require that voters present valid photographic identification verifying their identity in order to vote in any election, subject to exceptions which may be established by law?
Local offices
[edit]Dane County
[edit]A regularly scheduled county executive election was held in Dane County, Wisconsin, concurrent with the general election on April 1, 2025. The incumbent, Melissa Agard, who was first elected in the 2024 special election, won a full four-year term, defeating furniture salesman Stephen Ratzlaff.[25] Ratzlaff was previously a candidate for state assembly in 2020 and 2021.[26]
La Crosse County
[edit]A regularly scheduled mayoral election was held in La Crosse, Wisconsin, concurrent with the general election on April 1, 2025. The incumbent mayor, Mitch Reynolds, did not run for re-election. Local organizer and former school board member Shaundel Washington-Spivey was elected mayor, defeating city councilmember Chris Kahlow. Washington-Spivey will become La Crosse's first black mayor and first LGBTQ mayor.[27] Nonprofit executive Vicki Markussen and realtor Ellie McLoone were eliminated in the primary.[28]
Manitowoc County
[edit]A regularly scheduled mayoral election was held in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, concurrent with the general election on April 1, 2025. The incumbent mayor, Justin Nickels, was re-elected to his fifth four-year term, defeating small business owner Jason Prigge.[29]
Sheboygan County
[edit]A regularly scheduled mayoral election was held in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, concurrent with the general election on April 1, 2025. The incumbent mayor, Ryan Sorenson, was re-elected to his second four-year term, defeating city councilmember John Belanger.[30][31]
Winnebago County
[edit]Oshkosh mayor
[edit]A regularly scheduled mayoral election was held in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, concurrent with the general election on April 1, 2025. The incumbent mayor Matt Mugerauer, first elected in 2023, was re-elected without opposition.[32]
Winnebago County executive
[edit]A regularly scheduled county executive election was held in Winnebago County, Wisconsin, concurrent with the general election on April 1, 2025. Former Assembly minority leader Gordon Hintz was elected county executive, defeating the incumbent Jon Doemel.[33][34][35] Winnebago County sheriff John Matz was eliminated in the primary.[36]
See also
[edit]- Elections in Wisconsin
- Clarke v. Wisconsin Elections Commission
- Bilingual elections requirement for Wisconsin (per Voting Rights Act Amendments of 2006)[37]
- Political party strength in Wisconsin
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Justice Ann Walsh Bradley won't seek reelection in '25, when liberal majority will be on the line". WisPolitics.com. April 11, 2024. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
- ^ Kaska, Jimmie (November 29, 2024). "Spring Election dates and deadlines: Dec. 1 first date to circulate paperwork". Civic Media. Archived from the original on February 23, 2025. Retrieved November 30, 2024.
- ^ "Wisconsin Election Dates and Deadlines". U.S. Vote Foundation. Retrieved March 13, 2025.
- ^ "Underly campaign: Announces re-election campaign". WisPolitics. September 11, 2024. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
- ^ "Jeff Wright announces candidacy for Wisconsin State Superintendent of Public Instruction". WEAU 13 News. October 7, 2024. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
- ^ "Wisconsin 2025 spring election results: Supreme Court, DPI, voter ID referendum and Milwaukee races". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. April 1, 2025. Retrieved April 1, 2025.
- ^ "Wisconsin Superintendent of Public Education Primary Election Results". The New York Times. February 18, 2025. Retrieved February 20, 2025.
- ^ Ward by Ward Report - 2025 Spring Primary (Report). Wisconsin Elections Commission. February 28, 2025. Retrieved March 31, 2025.
- ^ "Wisconsin 2025 spring election results: Supreme Court, DPI, voter ID referendum and Milwaukee races". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. April 1, 2025. Retrieved April 1, 2025.
- ^ "Susan Crawford wins Wisconsin Supreme Court race, maintaining liberal majority". WTMJ-TV. April 1, 2025. Retrieved April 1, 2025.
- ^ "Supreme Court race spending tops $76 million with two weeks to go". Wispolitics.com. March 20, 2025. Retrieved March 23, 2025.
- ^ a b Candidate Tracking by Office - 2025 Spring Election - 4/1/2025 (Report). Wisconsin Elections Commission. January 27, 2025. p. 1. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
- ^ "Election Results". WXOW. April 1, 2025. Retrieved April 1, 2025.
- ^ Marinette County Spring Election - April 1, 2025 (PDF) (Report). Marinette County Clerk. April 1, 2025. Retrieved April 1, 2025.
- ^ Meyer, Ann (December 28, 2024). "Candidates for judge say drugs are biggest crime issue". Peshtigo Times. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
- ^ Asiyanbi, Heather (January 9, 2025). "April 2025 Election: Candidates who hope to earn your vote for municipal office and school board seats". Racine County Eye. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
- ^ General Election Racine County - April 1, 2025 (Report). Racine County Clerk. April 1, 2025. p. 2. Retrieved April 1, 2025.
- ^ White, Jack (April 1, 2025). "Wisconsin April 1 Spring Election: Live results". Hudson Star-Observer. Retrieved April 1, 2025.
- ^ White, Jack (February 19, 2025). "Spring Primary Unofficial Election Results: Smestad, Amos move on in Circuit Court Judge Primary". Hudson Star-Observer. Retrieved February 20, 2025.
- ^ a b Riccioli, Jim (April 1, 2025). "Waukesha County Circuit Court judge election results: Maas and Wittchow win seats". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved April 1, 2025.
- ^ "Bucher campaign: Announces election campaign". WisPolitics. November 4, 2024. Retrieved December 28, 2024.
- ^ "Wagner campaign: Scott Wagner launches campaign for Waukesha Circuit Court, Branch 01". WisPolitics. May 17, 2024. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
- ^ "Wittchow campaign: Waukesha County Prosecutor announces campaign for judge". WisPolitics. May 29, 2024. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
- ^ Van Wagtendonk, Ayna (January 14, 2025). "Voters to decide whether to enshrine voter ID law into Wisconsin Constitution". Wisconsin Public Radio. Retrieved January 24, 2025.
- ^ "Spring Election results for Madison and Dane County". The Capital Times. April 1, 2025. Retrieved April 1, 2025.
- ^ DuClos, Danielle (January 10, 2025). "Melissa Agard and Steinhafels salesman vie for Dane County executive". The Capital Times. Retrieved January 21, 2025.
- ^ "BREAKING: Shaundel Washington-Spivey wins Mayor of La Crosse race". WXOW. April 1, 2025. Retrieved April 2, 2025.
- ^ "Shaundel Washington-Spivey and Chris Kahlow advance in La Crosse Mayor race". WKBT-DT. February 18, 2025. Retrieved April 2, 2025.
- ^ Schafer, Alisa (April 2, 2025). "Nickels earns fifth term as Manitowoc mayor, MPSD referendum passes: Tuesday's election results". The Herald Times Reporter. Retrieved April 2, 2025.
- ^ Garner, Alex (December 9, 2024). "Candidates, including Ryan Sorenson, declare they're running for mayor in the spring". Sheboygan Press. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
- ^ Garner, Alex (April 2, 2025). "Ryan Sorenson and John Belanger react to outcome of Sheboygan's April 1 mayoral race". Sheboygan Press. Retrieved April 2, 2025.
- ^ April 2025 Common Council Election (PDF) (Report). City of Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
- ^ Spring General Election - April 1, 2025 (PDF) (Report). Winnebago County Clerk. April 1, 2025. p. 2. Retrieved April 1, 2025.
- ^ Hale, Lisa M. (November 13, 2024). "John Matz announces bid for Winnebago County Executive". Civic Media. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
- ^ "Hintz campaign: Announces candidacy for Winnebago County Exec". WisPolitics. November 18, 2024. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
- ^ Moore, Landen (November 12, 2024). "Winnebago County sheriff running for county executive". WHBY. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
- ^ "Covered Areas for Voting Rights Bilingual Election Materials—2015", Voting Rights Act Amendments of 2006, Determinations Under Section 203, Federal Register, December 5, 2016, retrieved October 13, 2020,
A Notice by the Census Bureau on 12/05/2016
External links
[edit]- Wisconsin Elections Commission
- Wisconsin at Ballotpedia
- Government Documents Round Table of the American Library Association, "Wisconsin", Voting & Elections Toolkits
- "Wisconsin: Election Tools, Deadlines, Dates, Rules, and Links", Vote.org, Oakland, CA
- "League of Women Voters of Wisconsin". September 7, 2017. (state affiliate of the U.S. League of Women Voters)