2021 Wisconsin elections
April 6, 2021

The 2021 Wisconsin Spring Election was held in the U.S. state of Wisconsin on April 6, 2021. There was one statewide race—for Superintendent of Public Instruction. Additionally, two special elections occurred for the Wisconsin State Senate and Wisconsin State Assembly, as well as other nonpartisan local and judicial elections. The 2021 Spring primary was held on February 16, 2021.[1]

An additional special election for the 37th Assembly district was held on July 13, 2021.[2]

In the election for Superintendent of Public Instruction, the Democrats' preferred candidate, Jill Underly, prevailed. Republicans, however, won both special elections for the Wisconsin Legislature, and Republicans' preferred candidates won both contested elections for the Wisconsin Court of Appeals.[3]

State elections

Executive

Superintendent of Public Instruction

Incumbent Superintendent of Public Instruction Carolyn Stanford Taylor did not seek election to a full term. She was appointed to the seat by Governor Tony Evers, the previous Superintendent of Public Instruction, to fill the remainder of his term after he was elected Governor of Wisconsin in 2018.

Eight candidates filed petitions by the state deadline to run for election to this seat, of which, seven were approved.[4] The office is nonpartisan, thus all accepted candidates appeared on the primary ballot on February 16, 2021.[5]

  • Sheila Briggs, assistant state superintendent at the state Department of Public Instruction.
  • Joe Fenrick, Fond du Lac high school science teacher.
  • Troy Gunderson, Viterbo University professor and former superintendent of the School District of West Salem.
  • Shandowlyon (Shawn) Hendricks-Williams, former director of Evers' Milwaukee office and DPI Education Administrative Director of Teacher Education, Professional Development and Licensing.
  • Deborah Kerr, former superintendent of Brown Deer School District.
  • Steve Krull, principal of Milwaukee's Garland Elementary School and former Air Force instructor.
  • Jill Underly, superintendent of Pecatonica School District.

Jill Underly and Deborah Kerr won the most votes in the top-two primary, and advanced to the April 6 general election,[6] which Underly won with 58% of the vote.

Primary county results
  Underly
  •   Underly—20–30%
  •   Underly—30–40%
  •   Underly—40–50%
  •   Underly—50–60%
  Kerr
  •   Kerr—20–30%
  •   Kerr—30–40%
  •   Kerr—40–50%
  Gunderson
  •   Gunderson—20–30%
  •   Gunderson—30–40%
  •   Gunderson—40–50%
General county results
  Underly
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
  •   80–90%
  Kerr
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
Wisconsin Superintendent of Public Instruction Election, 2021[7]
Party Candidate Votes %
Nonpartisan Primary, February 16, 2021
Nonpartisan Jill Underly (Democratic) 88,796 27.23%
Nonpartisan Deborah Kerr (Democratic)[8] 86,174 26.43%
Nonpartisan Sheila Briggs (Democratic) 50,815 15.58%
Nonpartisan Shandowlyon Hendricks-Williams (Democratic) 36,850 11.30%
Nonpartisan Troy Gunderson (Democratic) 27,452 8.42%
Nonpartisan Steve Krull (Independent) 20,543 6.30%
Nonpartisan Joe Fenrick (Independent) 14,507 4.45%
Nonpartisan Scattering 937 0.29%
Total votes 326,074 100.0%
General Election, April 6, 2021[9]: p.1 
Nonpartisan Jill Underly 526,444 57.57%
Nonpartisan Deborah Kerr 386,570 42.27%
Write-in 1,420 0.16%
Total votes 914,434 100.0%

    Legislative

    State Senate 13th district special election

    A special election was held concurrent with the spring primary and spring general to fill the 13th State Senate seat vacated by the resignation of Scott L. Fitzgerald.

    Seven candidates filed petitions by the state deadline to run for election to this seat, of which six were approved, including three Republicans, one Democrat, and two independents.[4] State Representative John Jagler won the Republican primary and went on to win the April special election with 51% of the vote.

    2021 Wisconsin Senate 13th District Republican Primary[10]
    Party Candidate Votes %
    Republican John Jagler 6,034 57.01%
    Republican Don Pridemore 3,343 31.59%
    Republican Todd Menzel 1,204 11.37%
    Republican Scattering 3 0.03%
    Total votes 10,584 100.0%
    2021 Wisconsin Senate 13th District Special Election[11]
    Party Candidate Votes % ±%
    Republican John Jagler 19,125 50.99% -7.91%
    Democratic Melissa Winker 16,364 43.62% +2.87%
    Independent Spencer Zimmerman 1,702 4.54% N/A
    American Solidarity Ben Schmitz 194 0.52% N/A
    Independent Don Pridemore (Write-in) 85 0.23% N/A
    Write-in 41 0.11%
    Total votes 37,511 100%
    Republican hold Swing -5.39%

    State Assembly 89th district special election

    A special election was held concurrent with the spring primary and spring general to fill the 89th State Assembly seat vacated by the resignation of John Nygren.

    Five candidates filed petitions by the state deadline to run for election to this seat, all were approved, including four Republicans and one Democrat.[4] Elijah Behnke won the Republican primary and went on to win the special election with 63% of the vote.

    2021 Wisconsin Assembly 89th District Republican Primary[12]
    Party Candidate Votes %
    Republican Elijah Behnke 1,691 44.75%
    Republican Michael Kunesh 875 23.15%
    Republican Debbie Jacques 789 20.88%
    Republican Michael Schneider 264 6.99%
    Republican David Kamps 160 4.23%
    Total votes 3,779 100.0%
    2021 Wisconsin Assembly 89th District Special Election[11]
    Party Candidate Votes % ±%
    Republican Elijah Behnke 8,129 63.17% -5.54%
    Democratic Karl Jaeger 4,732 36.77% +5.54%
    Write-in 7 0.05%
    Total votes 12,868 100%
    Republican hold Swing -5.54%

    State Assembly 37th district special election

    A special election was held on July 13, 2021, to fill the 37th State Assembly seat vacated by the resignation of John Jagler.[2]

    Ten candidates filed petitions by the state deadline to run for this seat, all were approved, including eight Republicans, one Democrat, and one Independent.[13] William Penterman won the June 15 Republican primary and went on to win the special election with 54% of the vote.[14]

    Wisconsin Assembly, 37th District Special Republican Primary, 2021[15]
    Party Candidate Votes %
    Republican William Penterman 758 19.81%
    Republican Jennifer Meinhardt 742 19.39%
    Republican Nick Krueger 621 16.23%
    Republican Nathan Pollnow 536 14.01%
    Republican Steve Kauffeld 514 13.43%
    Republican Jenifer Quimby 434 11.34%
    Republican Cathy Houchin 182 4.76%
    Republican Spencer Zimmerman 39 1.02%
    Write-in 1 0.03%
    Total votes 3,827 100.0%
    Wisconsin Assembly, 37th District Special Election, 2021[16]
    Party Candidate Votes % ±%
    Republican William Penterman 3,742 54.10% -2.00%
    Democratic Pete Adams 3,063 44.28% +3.39%
    Independent Stephen Ratzlaff 112 1.62% -1.39%
    Total votes 6,917 100.0%
    Republican hold

    Judicial

    State Court of Appeals

    Three seats on the Wisconsin Court of Appeals were up for election in 2021, two of which were contested.[4] Incumbent Judge Jeffrey O. Davis was defeated.

    State Circuit Courts

    Sixty three of the state's 253 circuit court seats were up for election in 2021. Eleven of those seats were contested.[4] Three of the contested seats, in Calumet, Jackson, and Marathon counties, were newly created from a 2020 act of the Wisconsin Legislature.[17] A fourth newly created seat, in Dunn County, had only one candidate running.

    • In Bayfield County, incumbent Judge John P. Anderson defeated a challenge from attorney Vincent Scott Kurta.[18]
    • In Brown County, incumbent Judge Kendall M. Kelley defeated a challenge from attorney Rachel Maes.[19]
    • In Calumet County, attorney Carey John Reed defeated Calumet County corporation counsel Kimberly A. Tenerelli for a newly created judicial seat.[20][21][22]
    • In Dunn County, attorney Christina Mayer defeated attorney Nicholas P. Lange for the judicial seat being vacated by Judge Rod W. Smeltzer.[23][24]
    • In Fond du Lac County, former Green Lake County district attorney Andrew J. Christenson defeated attorney Laura Lavey to succeed outgoing judge Richard J. Nuss.[25][26][27] Former Fond du Lac city councilmember Catherine A. Block and attorney Dawn M. Sabel were eliminated in the February primary.[28]
    • In Green County, attorney Faun Marie Phillipson defeated attorney Jane Bucher to succeed outgoing judge Jim Beer.[29][30] Attorneys Peter B. Kelly and Daniel R. Bartholf were eliminated in the February primary.
    • In Jackson County, attorneys Daniel Diehn and Robyn R. Matousek will compete for a newly created judicial seat.
    • In Kenosha County Branch 1, incumbent Judge Larisa Benitez-Morgan was apparently defeated by former Racine County prosecutor Gerad Dougvillo.[31]
    • In Kenosha County Branch 6, deputy district attorney Angelina Gabriele defeated attorney Angela Cunningham to succeed outgoing judge Mary K. Wagner.[32] Attorney Elizabeth Pfeuffer was eliminated in the February primary.
    • In Marathon County, Marathon County corporation counsel Scott M. Corbett defeated attorney Daniel T. Cveykus for a newly created judicial seat.[33]
    • In Milwaukee County, assistant public defender Katie Kegel defeated attorney Susan Roth to replace outgoing judge Clare Fiorenza.[34]
    Circuit Branch Incumbent Elected[9]: pp.2–15  Defeated Defeated in Primary
    Name Votes % Name Votes % Name(s)
    Adams Daniel Glen Wood Daniel Glen Wood 2,509 99.52%
    Bayfield John P. Anderson John P. Anderson 3,664 80.12% Vincent Scott Kurta 908 19.86%
    Brown 1 Donald R. Zuidmulder Donald R. Zuidmulder 30,018 99.21%
    4 Kendall M. Kelley Kendall M. Kelley 30,018 57.98% Rachel Maes 15,467 41.90%
    5 Marc A. Hammer Marc A. Hammer 28,919 99.29%
    Calumet 1 --New Seat-- Carey John Reed 4,762 55.72% Kimberly A. Tenerelli 3,781 44.24%
    Chippewa 2 James M. Isaacson James M. Isaacson 6,283 99.30%
    Columbia 1 Todd J. Hepler Todd J. Hepler 7,007 98.84%
    Dane 2 Josann M. Reynolds Josann M. Reynolds 77,472 99.02%
    6 Nia Trammell Nia Trammell 78,255 99.20%
    7 Mario D. White Mario D. White 77,787 99.23%
    9 Jacob B. Frost Jacob B. Frost 77,148 99.25%
    10 Juan B. Colás Juan B. Colás 78,472 99.26%
    12 Chris Taylor Chris Taylor 80,833 99.10%
    13 Julie Genovese Julie Genovese 76,883 99.23%
    17 David Conway David Conway 75,096 99.29%
    Douglas 1 Kelly J. Thimm Kelly J. Thimm 4,678 99.17%
    2 George L. Glonek George L. Glonek 4,581 98.94%
    Dunn 2 Rod W. Smeltzer Christina Mayer 3,496 53.71% Nicholas P. Lange 3,013 46.29%
    3 --New Seat-- Luke M. Wagner 5,070 100.0%
    Fond du Lac 3 Richard J. Nuss Andrew J. Christenson 9,142 51.44% Laura Lavey 8,625 48.53% Catherine A. Block
    Dawn M. Sabel
    Grant 2 Craig R. Day Craig R. Day 5,660 99.54%
    Green 1 James R. Beer Faun Marie Phillipson 4,142 48.93% Jane Bucher 4,057 47.93%
    2 Thomas J. Vale Thomas J. Vale 6,585 98.52%
    Jackson 1 Anna L. Becker Anna L. Becker 2,959 100.0%
    2 --New Seat-- Daniel Diehn 2,189 61.49% Robyn R. Matousek 1,371 38.51%
    Kenosha 1 Larisa V. Benitez-Morgan Gerad Dougvillo 10,720 50.68% Larisa V. Benitez-Morgan 10,364 49.00%
    5 David P. Wilk David P. Wilk 15,789 98.00%
    6 Mary K. Wagner Angelina Gabriele 11,745 53.33% Angela D. Cunningham 10,218 46.39% Elizabeth Pfeuffer
    8 Chad G. Kerkman Chad G. Kerkman 15,476 97.94%
    La Crosse 5 Gloria L. Doyle Gloria L. Doyle 13,828 98.08%
    Lafayette Duane M. Jorgenson Duane M. Jorgenson 2,852 100.0%
    Langlade John Rhode John Rhode 3,531 100.0%
    Marathon 1 Suzanne C. O'Neill Suzanne C. O'Neill 17,564 98.96%
    6 --New Seat-- Scott M. Corbett 13,772 58.19% Daniel T. Cveykus 9,865 41.68%
    Menominee–Shawano 1 Katie Sloma Katie Sloma 5,133 100.0%
    Milwaukee 1 Jack L. Dávila Jack L. Dávila 62,459 98.96%
    3 Clare L. Fiorenza Katie Kegel 60,089 64.81% Susan Roth 32,299 34.83%
    6 Ellen R. Brostrom Ellen R. Brostrom 62,100 98.84%
    12 David L. Borowski David L. Borowski 62,165 98.67%
    15 J. D. Watts J. D. Watts 62,074 98.99%
    19 Kori L. Ashley Kori L. Ashley 62,074 98.99%
    22 Timothy M. Witkowiak Timothy M. Witkowiak 61,264 98.88%
    30 Jon Richards Jon Richards 62,942 99.11%
    37 T. Christopher Dee T. Christopher Dee 61,445 99.03%
    42 Reyna Morales Reyna Morales 62,906 99.08%
    46 David A. Feiss David A. Feiss 61,130 99.05%
    Outagamie 6 Vincent R. Biskupic Vincent R. Biskupic 20,313 100.0%
    Ozaukee 1 Paul V. Malloy Paul V. Malloy 13,513 98.82%
    3 Sandy A. Williams Sandy A. Williams 13,434 98.74%
    Racine 6 David W. Paulson David W. Paulson 16,757 98.56%
    8 Faye M. Flancher Faye M. Flancher 16,877 98.57%
    Rock 5 Mike Haakenson Mike Haakenson 14,416 99.17%
    Sawyer John M. Yackel John M. Yackel 2,304 98.00%
    Sheboygan 1 L. Edward Stengel Samantha Bastil 14,162 99.18%
    4 Rebecca Persick Rebecca Persick 14,283 99.29%
    Taylor Ann N. Knox-Bauer Ann N. Knox-Bauer 4,397 99.71%
    Walworth 3 Kristine E. Drettwan Kristine E. Drettwan 12,238 98.59%
    Washington 4 Sandra J. Giernoth Sandra J. Giernoth 16,283 100.0%
    Waukesha 7 Maria S. Lazar Maria S. Lazar 48,711 98.99%
    8 Michael P. Maxwell Michael P. Maxwell 48,406 99.04%
    9 Michael J. Aprahamian Michael J. Aprahamian 48,795 99.06%
    10 Paul Bugenhagen Jr. Paul Bugenhagen Jr. 48,458 99.05%
    Wood 3 Todd P. Wolf Todd P. Wolf 8,958 99.37%

    Local elections

    Dane County

    Sheboygan

    • Incumbent mayor Mike Vandersteen was defeated by 27-year-old city council president Ryan Sorenson, who was elected as the city's youngest mayor.[37]
    • Three members of the Sheboygan Area School District's board were also elected.

    Waupaca County

    • Three seats will be up for election on the Clintonville School Board. Eight candidates entered the primary, which narrowed the field to six. The six candidates advancing are Larry Czarnecki, Chadwick J. Dobbe, Glen Lundt, Laurie A. Vollrath, Jason L. Moder, and Ben Huber.[38][39]
    • Manawa's primary narrowed the field of mayoral candidates from 3 to two, with Mark Zelmer and Michael Frazier advancing.

    References

    1. ↑ "2021 Spring Election and Special Legislative Elections". Wisconsin Elections Commission. Retrieved January 17, 2021.
    2. 1 2 Schmidt, Mitchell (April 28, 2021). "Tony Evers calls for July special election to fill 37th Assembly District vacancy". Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
    3. ↑ "Wisconsin spring election results". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. April 6, 2021. Retrieved April 7, 2021.
    4. 1 2 3 4 5 Candidate Tracking by Office – 2021 Spring Election – 4/6/2021 (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Elections Commission. January 13, 2021. Retrieved January 17, 2021.
    5. ↑ Shastri, Devi (January 5, 2021). "Seven candidates file paperwork to run for state superintendent of public instruction". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved January 17, 2021.
    6. ↑ "Supt of Public Instrctn – Oth – Primary". Associated Press. Retrieved February 17, 2021.
    7. ↑ "WEC Canvass Reporting System County by County Report: 2021 Spring Primary, State Superintendent of Public Instruction" (PDF). Wisconsin Elections Commission. March 1, 2021. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
    8. ↑ Bauer, Scott (February 12, 2021). "GOP-backed candidate for schools chief says she's a Democrat". AP News. Archived from the original on February 12, 2021. Retrieved April 5, 2021. Deborah Kerr said she has also voted for Republicans and tells GOP audiences on the campaign trail for the officially nonpartisan race that she is a 'pragmatic Democrat.'
    9. 1 2 Canvass Results for 2021 Spring Election – 4/6/2021 (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Elections Commission. April 22, 2021. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 23, 2021. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
    10. ↑ "WEC Canvass Reporting System County by County Report: 2021 Spring Primary, Special Election for State Senator District 13" (PDF). Wisconsin Elections Commission. March 1, 2021. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 3, 2021. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
    11. 1 2 "Statewide Percentage Results-4.6.21 Spring Election.pdf" (PDF). elections.wi.gov. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 23, 2021. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
    12. ↑ "WEC Canvass Reporting System County by County Report: 2021 Spring Primary, Special Election for Representative to the Assembly District 89" (PDF). Wisconsin Elections Commission. March 1, 2021. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
    13. ↑ Candidate Tracking By Office – Rep to the Assembly Dist 37 and Dane Co Supervisor Dist 19 Special Election – 7/13/2021 (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Elections Commission. May 20, 2021. p. 1. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
    14. ↑ Schmidt, Mitchell (July 14, 2021). "William Penterman wins special election for 37th Assembly District". Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
    15. ↑ County report
    16. ↑ AD 37 Special Election County by County Report (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Elections Commission. July 22, 2021. p. 1. Retrieved July 31, 2021.
    17. ↑ Schulte, Laura (March 5, 2020). "Wisconsin Circuit Court to get 12 new branches by 2023 in bill signed by Gov. Evers". Wausau Daily Herald. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
    18. ↑ "2021 Wisconsin Spring Election Results". KQDS-TV. April 7, 2021. Retrieved April 7, 2021.
    19. ↑ "Kelley defeats Maes in race for Brown County Circuit Court Judge". WBAY-TV. April 6, 2021. Retrieved April 7, 2021.
    20. ↑ Mueller, Chris (July 6, 2020). "Calumet County corporation counsel Kimberly Tenerelli announces candidacy for circuit court judge". The Post-Crescent. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
    21. ↑ Mueller, Chris (July 7, 2020). "Attorney Carey Reed to run for judge in Calumet County". The Post-Crescent. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
    22. ↑ "Election Results". WBAY-TV. April 6, 2021. Retrieved April 7, 2021.
    23. ↑ "Attorneys seek open Dunn Co. judge seats". Eau Claire Leader-Telegram. January 5, 2021. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
    24. ↑ "Mayer wins Dunn County judgeship". Eau Claire Leader-Telegram. April 6, 2021. Retrieved April 7, 2021.
    25. ↑ Kern, Taima (November 19, 2020). "Fond du Lac attorney, former city council member Block announces candidacy for judge seat". Fond du Lac Reporter. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
    26. ↑ "About". Lavey for Judge. Archived from the original on January 22, 2021. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
    27. ↑ "Spring Election 2021 Local Results". KFIZ (AM). April 6, 2021. Retrieved April 7, 2021.
    28. ↑ Roznik, Sharon (February 16, 2021). "These city council, school board, judge candidates will be on April 6 ballot in Fond du Lac County". Fond du Lac Reporter. Retrieved February 18, 2021.
    29. ↑ "April judicial election, Feb. primaries explained". The Monroe Times. January 13, 2021. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
    30. ↑ Rabotski, Shannon (April 6, 2021). "April 6 election results are in". The Monroe Times. Retrieved April 7, 2021.
    31. ↑ Smith, Deneen (December 23, 2020). "Gerad Dougvillo to challenge Judge Larisa Benitez-Morgan in spring election". Kenosha News. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
    32. ↑ Smith, Deneen (November 18, 2020). "Three local attorneys announce plans to run for Judge Wagner's seat". Kenosha News. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
    33. ↑ "Wausau area general election results". Wausau Daily Herald. April 6, 2021. Retrieved April 7, 2021.
    34. ↑ Vielmetti, Bruce (November 30, 2020). "Milwaukee County judicial candidate swaps races after a judge retires". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
    35. ↑ Mertes, Chris (January 5, 2021). "No primary in city, county, school district races". Sun Prairie Star. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
    36. ↑ Hamer, Emily (April 7, 2021). "Joe Parisi reelected as Dane County executive". Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved April 7, 2021.
    37. ↑ Jones, Tara (April 6, 2021). "27-year-old Ryan Sorenson elected as Sheboygan's new mayor". The Sheboygan Sun. Retrieved April 7, 2021.
    38. ↑ "Eight candidates for three seats". Waupaca County Post. January 22, 2021. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
    39. ↑ Waupaca County. "Certification Report" (PDF). Waupaca County. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
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