It is officially election season in Wisconsin as candidates and voters get ready for the Primary on August 9 and the General Election on November 8. For Chippewa Valley Residents, there are several county wide races including Eau Claire County Sheriff and County Clerk of Circuit Court are on the ballot. Assembly Districts 67, 68, 69, 75, 91, 92, 93 are all up this year as well as State Senate Districts 23, 25, and 31. There are a few Federal Races as well, including House of Representatives District 3 and one US Senate seat. Other State Elections include Governor and Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, and State Treasurer.

To register to vote, find your voting location, view a sample ballot and more, go to myvote.wi

For information about early voting, absentee voting, and voting on election day check out the Chamber's Early Voting blog post here

This page will serve as a guide to all things election and will continuously be updated with new information to keep you informed.

Eau Claire County Races

There are two county wide races on the ballot which are Eau Claire County Sheriff and County Clerk of Circuit Court. A Democratic Primary is required for the Sheriff race. Sheriff and Clerk are both elected for a four year term.

Eau Claire County Sheriff (Democratic Primary Needed)

Kevin Otto-Democrat (Website)

Dave Riewestahl-Democrat (Website)

Recent Primary Coverage:
Democratic candidates debate for Eau Claire County Sheriff (WQOW News 18)
Two EC Sheriff's Office veterans vie for Democratic nomination (Leader-Telegram $)

Don Henning-Republican (Website)

Eau Claire County Clerk of Circuit Court

Susan Schaffer (Incumbent)-Democrat (Website)

Wisconsin State Senate Races

The odd numbered State Senate Districts are up for election this year. For the Chippewa Valley, Districts 23, 25 and 31 are up with Republican primaries required for the 23rd district. For District 23, the winner of the August Primary will be uncontested in November due to the lack of Democratic or other party challenger. Incumbent for the 23rd District Kathy Bernier (R-Chippewa Falls) will be retiring. Incumbent for the 25th district, Janet Bewley (D-Mason) will be retiring. State Senators are elected for four year terms and half of the Senate is up for election every two years.

The Chamber's Good Government Council sent out a questionnaire to candidates for State Senate and Assembly. You can find links to the completed questionnaires below.

Wisconsin State Assembly

Every Assembly seat is up for election this year. Districts 67, 68, 69, 75, 91, 92, and 93 all cover parts of the Chippewa Valley. Republican Primaries are needed for Districts 68 and 92. The winner of the Republican primary for District 68 will face Democratic candidate Nate Otto, Incumbent Jesse James (R-Altoona) is running for the 23rd Senate. The winner for District 92 will face Democratic candidate Maria Bamonti. Assembly members are elected for two year terms.

The Chamber's Good Government Council sent out a questionnaire to candidates for State Senate and Assembly. You can find links to the completed questionnaires below.

Wisconsin 3rd Congressional District

Every House of Representative seat is up for election this year, and the 3rd Congressional District will be up for grabs with Incumbent Democrat Ron Kind not seeking reelection. The 3rd Congressional District covers much of the Chippewa Valley as well as South Western Wisconsin and parts of Central Wisconsin. A Democratic Primary will be needed for this race and the winner of the August Primary will face Republican Derrick Van Orden in November. Incumbent Ron Kind (D-LaCrosse) will not be seeking reelection.

3rd Congressional District Candidates (Democratic Primary Needed)

Rebecca Cooke-Democrat (Website)

Mark Neuman-Democrat (Website)

Deb Baldus McGrath-Democrat (Website)

Brad Pfaff-Democrat (Website)

Recent Primary Coverage:
Video: Democratic candidates for 3rd Congressional District debate (WXOW; 59:00)

Derrick Van Orden-Republican (Website)

Wisconsin Federal Senate Race

One Federal Senate seat is on the ballot for Wisconsin. All Wisconsin voters will be able to vote in this race. Senate members are elected for six year terms and every two years 1/3 of the seats are up for election. Primaries will be needed on both the Democratic and Republican sides, and the winners of each party seat will face each other in November.

Update: Of the four front-runners in the Democratic Primary, Tom Nelson, Alex Lasry, and Sarah Godlewski all dropped out the week of July 25 and endorsed Lt. Governor Mandela Barnes, so will now likely be the Democratic nominee.

Candidates for Senate (Democratic and Republican Primaries Needed)

Mandela Barnes-Democrat (Website)

Alex Lasry-Democrat (Website)
Dropped out on July 27, but still on ballot

Kou C. Lee-Democrat (Website)

Sarah Godlewski-Democrat (Website)
Dropped out on July 29, but still on ballot

Peter Peckarsky-Democrat (Website)

Steven Olikara-Democrat (Website)

Darrell Williams-Democrat (Website)

Tom Nelson-Democrat (Website)
Dropped out on July 25, but still on ballot

Ron Johnson (Incumbent)-Republican (Website)

David Schroeder-Republican

Wisconsin Statewide Races

There are several statewide races this year for including Governor and Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, State Treasurer, and Secretary of State. Every voter in Wisconsin will be able to vote in these races.

Governor and Lieutenant Governor

A Republican primary will be needed August for Governor, and the winner will go up against Democratic candidate Tony Evers in November. for Lieutenant Governor, both Democratic and Republican primaries are needed and the winners of each contest will face each other in the general election. Both office terms are four years. Lieutenant Governor Incumbent Mandela Barnes will not be seeking reelection and instead is running for Senate.

Attorney General, Secretary of State, and State Treasurer

Other than Governor, there are several other state offices on the ballot. For Attorney General, and Republican primary is needed and the winner in August will face Democrat Josh Kaul in November. For Secretary of State, both a Democratic and Republican Primary is needed and the winners will face each other and Libertarian candidate Neil Harmon. For State Treasurer, there will also be a Democratic and Republican Primary and the winners will face each other and Constitution Party candidate Andrew Zuelke. State Treasurer incumbent Sarah Godlewski will not seek reelection and instead is running for Senate. Attorney General, Secretary of State, and State Treasurer are each elected for a four-year term.

More Information
Aug 9 Primary: Early Voting Information (Eau Claire Chamber of Commerce)
myvote.wi
WisPolitics.com

Posted by Danya Morman, Governmental Affairs Intern
morman@eauclairechamber.org