Assembly Dems Poised to Knock Off Four GOP Incumbents, Possibly a Fifth

Assembly Dems were poised to knock off four Republican incumbents early this morning and had a shot at a fifth.

In the 49th AD, Dem challenger Phil Garthwaite was poised to win with 52 percent of the vote over incumbent Republican Gabe Loeffelholz and 97 percent of precincts in.

In the 51st district, Dem Steve Hilgenberg had 53 percent of the vote over Speaker Pro Tempore Stephen Freese with 99 percent of the vote in.

Dem Jim Soletski beat incumbent Republican Judy Krawczyk in the 88th Assembly District in the Green Bay area. Soletski received 8,927 votes to 8,849 for Krawczyk, according to unofficial returns.

Dem Jeff Smith knocked off Republican incumbent Rob Kreibich with 51 percent of the vote and 100 percent of precincts in for the Eau Claire seat, according to unofficial returns.

In the 28th, Ann Hraychuck had 51 percent of the vote with 88 percent of precincts reporting over incumbent Republican Mark Pettis.

The 28th District was one of six WisPolitics rated as toss ups heading into the election. The other three were in the lean Republican category.

Dems won two of the other five toss ups and was leading in another early this morning.

Republicans won one of the toss up seats and were leading in a second early this morning.

Several races were also much closer than expected.

Unofficial results indicate that GOP Rep. Debi Towns retained the 43rd Assembly Seat by six votes over Dem Kim Hixson. Towns received 10,271 votes, while Hixson received 10,265.

Incumbent Republican Eugene Hahn fended off Dem challenger Meagan Yost in the 47th AD to gain reelection by an 154-vote margin. Unoffical results list 12,088 votes for Hahn, with 11,934 for Yost with all precincts reporting.

If Dem leads early this morning hold up, the party could pick up eight seats in the Assembly, which would leave Republicans in the majority, 52-47. Republicans had a 58-39 lead going into the election with two open seats that had been held by the GOP.

-- By JR Ross