Wisconsin Primary: Trump Tweets Strong Support
MADISON, Wis. — August 15, 2018
Turnout in Wisconsin's primary that saw hotly contested races among both Democrats and Republicans is the highest since 2002.
Based on official results, turnout in Tuesday's election was nearly 22.1 percent. That is the highest since 22.5 percent in 2002. That year featured a multi-candidate primary for governor on the Democratic side won by Jim Doyle, while then Gov. Scott McCallum faced nominal Republican opposition.
This year's primary had eight Democrats running for governor, the most in Wisconsin history. State Superintendent Tony Evers won by a wide margin. Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker wins Republican primary with 91.6%.
President Donald Trump is voicing his strong support for Republican winners in Wisconsin's U.S. Senate race and the contest to replace House Speaker Paul Ryan.
Scott Walker is very special and will have another great win in November. He has done a fantastic job as Governor of Wisconsin and will always have my full support and Endorsement!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 15, 2018
There was also a Republican primary for U.S. Senate which state Sen. Leah Vukmir won by about 6 points over Kevin Nicholson and will face Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin.
Trump tweeted, that Vukmir "beat a very tough and good competitor and will make a fantastic Senator after winning in November against someone who has done very little."
Paul Ryan aide Bryan Steil wins GOP primary for House speaker’s Wisconsin seat.
Trump says Steil "will be replacing a great guy in Paul Ryan, and your win in November will make the entire State of Wisconsin very proud. You have my complete and total Endorsement!"
Steil is an attorney who has worked for a variety of manufacturers in the district. Since 2016, he’s also served as a member of the University of Wisconsin board of trustees, appointed by Republican Gov. Scott Walker.
On the Democratic side, union ironworker Randy Bryce drew national attention and money when he entered the race a year ago with a splashy launch video. He defeated primary challenger Cathy Myers, a Janesville teacher, on Tuesday. He’ll meet Steil in the Nov. 6 general election.
In total, nearly 994,000 people voted in the primary out of roughly 4.5 million voting-age adults.