Wisconsin Democrats poach state Senate seat in district Trump won by 17 points, in 43rd flip of the Trump era

Voter cast ballots in Milwaukee — (Image credit: Darren Hauck/Getty Images)

Democrats successfully took Gov. Scott Walker (R-Wis.) to court when, openly fretting about a "blue wave," he refused to call special elections to fill two state legislative seats. On Tuesday, Democrats won one of the seats while Republicans held on to the other one. Both districts in northwestern Wisconsin had gone heavily for President Trump in 2016, but in the 1st senate district — which voted for Trump by 17 points — Democratic businessman Caleb Frostman beat GOP state Rep. André Jacque. This was the 43rd GOP-held state legislative seat Democrats have flipped since Trump was inaugurated — Republicans have flipped seven seats — and state Democratic Party chairwoman Martha Laning celebrated the district's "21-point swing from Trump's 2016 performance."

In the other race, in the 42nd assembly district, Republican Jon Plumer appears to have defeated Democrat Ann Groves. Republicans now have an 18-15 advantage in the state Senate. Democrats are hoping to unseat Walker in November while Republicans are trying to beat Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.).

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.