Wisconsin Democrats are planning to spend $7 million on television ads targeting five key state Senate races in an effort to regain control of the chamber. These races are in Milwaukee’s northern suburbs, rural areas north of Madison, the Fox Cities, Green Bay, and La Crosse. Currently, Republicans hold a 22-10 supermajority in the 33-seat Senate, but Democrats are hoping that new district boundaries signed by Governor Tony Evers in February will help them narrow the GOP advantage.
Of the 16 Senate seats up for grabs in November, eight are currently held by Republicans and four are open seats. Democrats need to win 13 seats in November to gain the majority. The party has put up a candidate in every Senate race on the ballot for the first time in over 20 years, indicating a surge in enthusiasm due to the new maps. Some of the key races include the 8th Senate District, where Republican Sen. Duey Stroebel faces Democrat Jodi Habush Sinykin, and the 14th District, where Democrat Sarah Keyeski is running against GOP incumbent Joan Ballweg.
The committee also plans to target the 18th District, which is open and running from Appleton south to Oshkosh along Lake Winnebago’s western shore. Additionally, ads are planned for the 30th District covering the western shore of Green Bay, and the 32nd District in western Wisconsin where Republican Stacey Klein is challenging Democratic incumbent Brad Pfaff. These districts were chosen because President Joe Biden and Gov. Tony Evers won them in the 2020 and 2022 elections, indicating a potential for Democratic success in legislative races there.
The ads will be tailored to address specific issues in each district and are set to begin airing after Wisconsin’s Aug. 13 primary. The State Senate Democratic Committee’s executive director, Andrew Whitley, highlighted the importance of these districts as they have shown support for Democratic candidates in recent elections. A spokesperson for Senate Republican Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the Democratic ad campaign.
As the November elections approach, campaigns are ramping up in several key state Senate races in Wisconsin. Democrats are investing $7 million in television ads in five critical districts with the aim of regaining control of the Senate from the current Republican supermajority. The new district boundaries signed by Governor Evers earlier this year are viewed as crucial in helping Democrats make inroads against the GOP advantage in the chamber.
With a total of 16 Senate seats up for election, including eight held by Republicans and four open seats, Democrats need to win 13 to secure the majority. This election cycle marks the first time in over two decades that Democrats have fielded candidates in all Senate races on the ballot, signaling a renewed sense of enthusiasm within the party. The targeted districts include areas such as Milwaukee’s northern suburbs, the Fox Cities, Green Bay, and La Crosse, where strategic ad campaigns will be launched to appeal to voters.
Candidates in key races such as the 8th Senate District, where Republican incumbent Duey Stroebel faces a challenge from Democrat Jodi Habush Sinykin, and the 14th District, featuring Democrat Sarah Keyeski against GOP incumbent Joan Ballweg, are poised to receive support from the Democratic ad blitz. Other battleground districts include the 18th, 30th, and 32nd, where open seats or incumbents facing tough competition are seen as potential wins for the Democratic Party based on recent voting trends favoring their candidates.
By targeting districts that favored President Biden and Governor Evers in recent elections, the State Senate Democratic Committee is strategically aiming to capitalize on existing support for Democratic candidates. Tailoring ad campaigns to address local concerns and issues, the committee plans to launch the ads post the August 13 primary to maximize exposure and impact. The response from Republicans, particularly Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu’s office, remains to be seen as the race intensifies in the coming months leading up to the November elections.
