2023 Wisconsin elections

A special election was held concurrent with the Spring general election to fill the 8th State Senate seat vacated by the resignation of Alberta Darling.{{cite report|url= https://elections.wi.gov/media/18551/download |title= Candidate Tracking by Office - 2023 Spring Election - 4/4/2023 |publisher= Wisconsin Elections Commission |date= December 14, 2022 |accessdate= December 15, 2022 }} Republican state representative Dan Knodl narrowly defeated Democratic attorney Jodi Habush Sinykin in the special election on April 4, 2023, giving the Republicans a super-majority in the Wisconsin Senate.{{cite news|url= https://www.wpr.org/election-results-wisconsin-8th-senate-district-special-election-dan-knodl-jodi-habush-sinykin |title= Conservative wins in Wisconsin's 8th Senate District, would secure GOP impeachment power |work= Wisconsin Public Radio |date= April 5, 2023 |first= Deneen |last= Smith |accessdate= April 5, 2023 }}{{cite news|url= https://www.gmtoday.com/daily_news/news/jodi-habush-sinykin-announces-run-for-8th-senate-district-seat/article_7995d874-7715-11ed-bd4f-eb2560d82684.html |title= Jodi Habush Sinykin announces run for 8th Senate District seat |date= December 8, 2022 |work= Washington County Daily News |accessdate= December 28, 2022 }}{{cite news|url= https://www.fox6now.com/news/live-wisconsin-election-results-february-primary |title= Live: Wisconsin election results, February 2023 primary |work= WITI (TV) |date= February 21, 2023 |accessdate= February 21, 2023 }}

The primary for this election was held concurrent with the spring primary, February 21, 2023. Knodl prevailed in the Republican primary over state representative Janel Brandtjen and Thiensville village president Van Mobley.{{cite web |last1=Spears |first1=Baylor |title=Republican Rep. Knodl Announces Run To Replace Retiring Sen. Darling |url=https://wisconsinexaminer.com/brief/republican-representative-announces-candidacy-for-open-senate-seat/ |website=wisconsinexaminer.com |access-date=7 December 2022 |date=2 December 2022}}{{cite web |title=Brandtjen launches 8th SD bid; 3 Republicans now vying for suburban Milwaukee seat |url=https://www.wispolitics.com/2022/brandtjen-launches-8th-sd-bid-3-republicans-now-vying-for-suburban-milwaukee-seat |publisher=Wispolitics.com |date=6 December 2022}}{{cite web |title=Mobley fourth Republican to join 8th SD race |url=https://www.wispolitics.com/2022/mobley-fourth-republican-to-join-8th-sd-race |publisher=Wispolitics.com |date=7 December 2022}} Former state senator Randy Hopper briefly entered the race, but then withdrew and endorsed Knodl.{{cite news|url= https://www.fox6now.com/news/brandtjen-wis-senate-seat-northern-milwaukee-suburbs |title= Brandtjen runs for Wis. Senate; seat represents northern Milwaukee suburbs |first= Sam |last= Kraemer |date= December 5, 2022 |work= WITI (TV) |accessdate= December 28, 2022 }}{{cite press release|url= https://www.wispolitics.com/2022/hopper-campaign-announces-end-to-senate-campaign |title= Hopper campaign: Announces end to Senate campaign |work= Randy Hopper for Senate |date= December 28, 2022 |via= Wispolitics.com |accessdate= December 28, 2022 }}

{{Election box begin no change| title= Wisconsin Senate, 8th District Special Democratic Primary, 2023{{cite news |title=Election Results: WI Supreme Court, VA-04 Special Election, and more |url=https://decisiondeskhq.com/election-results-wisconsin-supreme-court-primary-virginia-4th-congressional-district-special-election-and-more/ |access-date=March 3, 2023 |work=Decision Desk HQ |date=February 21, 2023}}{{cite report|url= https://elections.wi.gov/sites/default/files/documents/Canvass%20Results_Spring%20Primary_2_21_23.pdf |title= Canvass Results for 2023 Spring Primary - 2/21/2023 |date= March 6, 2023 |publisher= Wisconsin Elections Commission |accessdate= March 7, 2023 }}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Jodi Habush Sinykin

|votes = 17,670

|percentage = 99.90%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|

|party =

|candidate = Scattering

|votes = 17

|percentage = 0.10%

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 17,687

|percentage = 100.0%

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change| title= Wisconsin Senate, 8th District Special Republican Primary, 2023}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Dan Knodl

|votes = 13,996

|percentage = 56.82%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Janel Brandtjen

|votes = 6,870

|percentage = 27.89%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Van Mobley

|votes = 3,743

|percentage = 15.19%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|

|party =

|candidate = Scattering

|votes = 25

|percentage = 0.10%

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 24,634

|percentage = 100.0%

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin| title= Wisconsin Senate, 8th District Special General Election, 2023{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/04/04/us/elections/results-wisconsin-spring-elections.html |title= Wisconsin Springe Election Results |website= The New York Times |date= April 4, 2023 |access-date=6 April 2023}}{{cite report|url= https://elections.wi.gov/sites/default/files/documents/County%20by%20County%20Report_SD%208%20special%20election.pdf |title= 2023 Spring Election - State Senate District 8 - County by County Report |publisher= Wisconsin Elections Commission |date= April 18, 2023 |accessdate= April 21, 2023 }}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Dan Knodl

|votes = 38,492

|percentage = 50.81%

|change = -3.43%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Democratic Party (United States)|candidate=Jodi Habush Sinykin|votes=37,200|percentage=49.11%|change=+3.40%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|party=N/a|candidate=Scattering|votes=59|percentage=0.08%|change=+0.02%}}

{{Election box plurality

|votes = 1,292

|percentage = 1.71%

|change = -6.83%

}}

{{Election box total

|votes = 75,751

|percentage = 100.0%

|change = -36.70%

}}

{{Election box hold with party link no swing

|winner = Republican Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box end}}

A special election was held in Wisconsin's 24th Assembly district on July 18, 2023, to fill the vacancy caused by the election of Dan Knodl to the Wisconsin Senate in the Spring election. The Republican nominee, Ozaukee County supervisor Paul Melotik, defeated the Democratic nominee, Mequon businessman, Bob Tatterson.{{Cite news|url= https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/elections/2023/07/18/melotik-defeats-tatterson-in-election-for-wisconsin-assembly-seat/70421961007/ |title = Republican Melotik defeats Tatterson in special election for Assembly seat |first= Hope |last= Karnopp |newspaper= Milwaukee Journal Sentinel |date= July 18, 2023 |accessdate= July 19, 2023 }}

A special primary was held on June 20, 2023, but neither party had a contest for the nomination.{{Cite press release |url= https://www.wispolitics.com/2023/gov-evers-calls-special-election-for-24th-assembly-district-2 |title= Gov. Evers: Calls special election for 24th Assembly District |date= May 5, 2023 |work= Office of the Governor of Wisconsin |accessdate= May 6, 2023 |via= Wispolitics.com }}{{cite news|url= https://www.gmtoday.com/daily_news/news/two-announce-candidacy-for-assembly-district-24-seat-vacated-by-knodl/article_9b971237-0815-55fc-b810-4f49fa375058.html |title= Two announce candidacy for Assembly District 24 seat vacated by Knodl |date= May 9, 2023 |newspaper= Washington County Daily News |accessdate= May 13, 2023 }} Perennial Wisconsin candidate Spencer Zimmerman also collected petitions to get on the ballot as a Republican, but did not meet the necessary threshold.{{cite report|url= https://elections.wi.gov/media/21441/download |title= Candidate Tracking by Office - Special Election State Assembly District 24 - 7/18/2023 |date= June 2, 2023 |accessdate= June 12, 2023 |publisher= Wisconsin Elections Commission }}

{{Election box begin| title= Wisconsin Assembly, 24th District Special Election, 2023{{cite web|url= https://decisiondeskhq.com/election-results-wisconsin-state-assembly-24-special-election/ |title= Election Results: Wisconsin State Assembly 24 Special Election |first= Max |last= Gowins |work= Decision Desk HQ |date= July 18, 2023 |accessdate= July 19, 2023 }}{{cite report|url= https://elections.wi.gov/sites/default/files/documents/County%20by%20County%20Report_for%20canvass%20for%20AD%2024%20special.pdf |title= 7/18/2023 Special Election State Assembly District 24 |publisher= Wisconsin Elections Commission |date= August 1, 2023 |accessdate= August 4, 2023 }}}}

| colspan="6" style="text-align:center;background-color: #e9e9e9;"| Special Election, July 18, 2023

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Paul Melotik

|votes = 6,455

|percentage = 53.68%

|change = -7.47%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Bob Tatterson

|votes = 5,568

|percentage = 46.30%

|change = +7.49%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = N/a

|candidate = Scattering

|votes = 3

|percentage = 0.02%

|change =

}}

{{Election box plurality

|votes = 887

|percentage = 7.38%

|change = -14.96%

}}

{{Election box total

|votes = 12,026

|percentage = 100.0%

|change = -62.09%

}}

{{Election box hold with party link no swing

|winner = Republican Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Main|2023 Wisconsin Supreme Court election}}

A regularly scheduled Wisconsin Supreme Court election was held on April 4, 2023. The incumbent judge, Patience D. Roggensack, did not run for re-election, retiring after 20 years on the court.{{cite news|url= https://madison.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/justice-annette-ziegler-elected-next-wisconsin-supreme-court-chief-justice/article_5a2ae7dc-42b8-5833-9f6a-a4ce2aab80c3.html |title= Justice Annette Ziegler elected next Wisconsin Supreme Court chief justice |first= Riley |last= Vetterkind |newspaper= Wisconsin State Journal |date= April 15, 2021 |accessdate= April 14, 2022 }} Milwaukee County circuit judge Janet Protasiewicz defeated former Wisconsin Supreme Court justice Daniel Kelly in the April 4 general election, flipping the ideological majority on the court.{{cite news|url= https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/04/us/politics/wisconsin-supreme-court-protasiewicz.html |title= Liberal Wins Wisconsin Court Race, in Victory for Abortion Rights Backers |work= The New York Times |date= April 4, 2023 |first= Reid J. |last= Epstein |accessdate= April 4, 2023 }}

Circuit judges Jennifer Dorow of Waukesha County and Everett Mitchell of Dane County were eliminated in the February primary.{{cite web |date=September 10, 2022 |title=Former Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Dan Kelly running again |url=https://www.fox6now.com/news/wisconsin-supreme-court-kelly-running-again |access-date=September 23, 2022 |website=Fox 6}}{{cite web |date=June 1, 2022 |title=Judge Everett Mitchell running for Wisconsin Supreme Court |url=https://apnews.com/8f2f03e279a3599b7f9b71c2a01a9ea8 |access-date=September 23, 2022 |website=Associated Press}}{{cite news|url= https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/2022/11/29/waukesha-county-judge-jennifer-dorow-to-run-for-wisconsin-supreme-court/69682301007/ |title= Jennifer Dorow, the Waukesha Christmas parade trial judge, to announce run for Wisconsin Supreme Court on Wednesday |newspaper= Milwaukee Journal Sentinel |date= November 29, 2022 |accessdate= November 29, 2022 |first= Molly |last= Beck }} Kelly and Dorow were considered conservatives, while Mitchell and Protasiewicz were considered liberals.{{Cite web |last=Lehr |first=Sarah |date=December 1, 2022 |title=Wisconsin's next partisan battle will be over the balance of power on its Supreme Court |url=https://www.wpr.org/partisan-battle-over-balance-power-wisconsin-supreme-court |access-date=December 14, 2022 |website=Wisconsin Public Radio}}{{Cite web |last=Dabruzzi |first=Anthony |date=November 14, 2022 |title=The campaigns aren't over yet, as the focus shifts to a high-stakes Supreme Court race in Wisconsin |url=https://spectrumnews1.com/wi/madison/politics/2022/11/14/focus-shifts-to-the-state-supreme-court-race |access-date=December 14, 2022 |website=Spectrum News 1}}

The 2023 Wisconsin Supreme Court election was described as the most important election of the year. In 2020, allies of former president Donald Trump attempted to challenge the result of the U.S. general election in Wisconsin; the Wisconsin Supreme Court rejected the attempt by a one-vote margin.{{cite news| last=Wong | first=Andy | title=This Wisconsin judicial election could decide the next US president | website=the Guardian | date=20 March 2023 | url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/mar/20/this-wisconsin-judicial-election-could-decide-the-next-us-president}} A Republican victory could have led to a Supreme Court which might in similar circumstances disrupt a democratically decided election. The parties both knew what was at stake, and between them by 20 March 2023 had jointly spent US$27m on their campaigns—making it the most expensive judicial race in American history.

{{Election box begin | title=Wisconsin Supreme Court Election, 2023{{cite report|url= https://elections.wi.gov/sites/default/files/documents/Canvass%20Results_Spring%20Primary_2_21_23.pdf |title= Canvass Results for 2023 Spring Primary - 2/21/2023 |date= March 6, 2023 |publisher= Wisconsin Elections Commission |pages= 1–2 |accessdate= March 7, 2023 }} }}

| colspan="6" style="text-align:center;background-color: #e9e9e9;"| Primary Election, February 21, 2023

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

|party = Nonpartisan politician

|candidate = Janet Protasiewicz

|votes = 446,403

|percentage = 46.42%

|change =

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

|party = Nonpartisan politician

|candidate = Daniel Kelly

|votes = 232,751

|percentage = 24.20%

|change = -25.84%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Nonpartisan politician

|candidate = Jennifer Dorow

|votes = 210,100

|percentage = 21.85%

|change =

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Nonpartisan politician

|candidate = Everett Mitchell

|votes = 71,895

|percentage = 7.48%

|change =

}}

{{Election box write-in with party link

|party = N/a

|candidate = Scattering

|votes = 516

|percentage = 0.05%

|change = -0.13%

}}

{{Election box total

|votes = 961,665

|percentage = 100.0%

|change = +36.38%

}}

| colspan="6" style="text-align:center;background-color: #e9e9e9;"| General Election, April 4, 2023{{cite report|url= https://elections.wi.gov/sites/default/files/documents/County%20by%20County%20Report_SCOWIS.pdf |title= 2023 Spring Election - Supreme Court - County by County Report |publisher= Wisconsin Elections Commission |date= April 17, 2023 |accessdate= April 21, 2023 }}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

|party = Nonpartisan politician

|candidate = Janet Protasiewicz

|votes = 1,021,822

|percentage = 55.43%

|change =

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Nonpartisan politician

|candidate = Daniel Kelly

|votes = 818,391

|percentage = 44.39%

|change = -0.33%

}}

{{Election box write-in with party link

|party = N/a

|candidate = Scattering

|votes = 3,267

|percentage = 0.18%

|change = +0.11%

}}

{{Election box plurality

|votes = 202,652

|percentage = 11.04%

|change = +0.48%

}}

{{Election box total

|votes = 1,843,480

|percentage = 100.0%

|change = +18.93%

}}

{{Election box end}}

Two seats on the Wisconsin Court of Appeals were up for election on April 4, 2023.

• In District I, William W. Brash III, chief judge of the Court of Appeals, was defeated by Milwaukee labor and employment attorney Sara Geenen. Brash had been appointed by Governor Scott Walker in 2015 and was elected to his first full term in 2017.{{cite press release|url= https://urbanmilwaukee.com/pressrelease/sara-geenen-announces-campaign-for-court-of-appeals-district-1/ |title= Sara Geenen Announces Campaign for Court of Appeals District 1 |work= Sara Geenen for Milwaukee |date= December 15, 2022 |via= Urban Milwaukee |accessdate= December 31, 2022 }}
• In District IV, incumbent Michael R. Fitzpatrick did not run for re-election. Dane County circuit judge Chris Taylor was elected to succeed him, running without opposition.

{{Election box begin no change | title=Wisconsin Court of Appeals District I Election, 2023{{cite report|url= https://elections.wi.gov/sites/default/files/documents/County%20by%20County%20Report_Court%20of%20Appeals.pdf |title= 2023 Spring Election - Court of Appeals District 1 - County by County Report |publisher= Wisconsin Elections Commission |date= April 18, 2023 |accessdate= April 21, 2023 }}}}

| colspan="6" style="text-align:center;background-color: #e9e9e9;"| General Election, April 4, 2023

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change|

|party = Nonpartisan politician

|candidate = Sara Geenen

|votes = 130,030

|percentage = 68.18%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|

|party = Nonpartisan politician

|candidate = William W. Brash III (incumbent)

|votes = 59,587

|percentage = 31.25%

}}

{{Election box candidate no change|

|party =

|candidate = Scattering

|votes = 1,088

|percentage = 0.57%

}}

{{Election box plurality no change

|votes = 70,443

|percentage = 36.94%

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 190,705

|percentage = 100.0%

}}

{{Election box end}}

Forty nine of the state's 261 circuit court seats were up for election in April 2023. That included four new seats that were created in 2023 due to a 2020 act of the Legislature.{{cite report|url= https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/misc/lrb/blue_book/2021_2022/010_intro_and_toc.pdf |title= Wisconsin Blue Book 2021-2022 |year= 2021 |publisher= Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau |isbn= 978-1-7333817-1-0|chapter-url= https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/misc/lrb/blue_book/2021_2022/190_officials_and_employees.pdf |chapter= Wisconsin Officials and Employees |pages=600–608 |accessdate= April 14, 2022 }} Only 11 seats were contested, only four incumbent judges were facing a challenger, two were defeated.{{cite report|url= https://elections.wi.gov/sites/default/files/documents/County%20by%20County%20Report_Circuit%20Court.pdf |title= 2023 Spring Election - Wisconsin Circuit Courts - County by County Report |publisher= Wisconsin Elections Commission |date= April 18, 2023 |accessdate= April 21, 2023 }}

• In Clark County, attorney William Bratcher defeated attorney Jake Brunette for a newly created judicial seat.{{cite news|url= https://www.centralwinews.com/a-main/2023/04/04/protasiewicz-bratcher-win-state-county-judge-bids/?destination=tribune-phonograph |title= Protasiewicz, Bratcher win state, county judge bids |date= April 4, 2023 |newspaper= Tribune-Phonograph |accessdate= April 6, 2023 }}
• In Grant County, incumbent Grant County district attorney Lisa A. Riniker defeated former Jefferson County circuit judge Jennifer Day for the judicial seat being vacated by Judge Robert P. VanDeHey. Lancaster attorney Jeffrey W. Erickson was eliminated in the primary.{{cite news|url= https://www.telegraphherald.com/news/tri-state/article_5e08ca32-d36b-11ed-be53-33501642449a.html |title= Grant County district attorney wins county judge seat |date= April 5, 2023 |newspaper= Telegraph Herald |accessdate= April 6, 2023 }}
• In Oneida County, incumbent district attorney Michael W. Schiek defeated incumbent circuit judge Mary Roth Burns. Oneida County corporation counsel Mike Fugle was eliminated in the primary.{{cite news|url= https://www.wxpr.org/election/2023-04-05/election-schiek-defeats-burns-for-oneida-county-circuit-court-judge-new-mayors-for-antigo-and-park-falls |title= ELECTION: Schiek defeats Burns for Oneida County Circuit Court Judge, New Mayors for Antigo and Park Falls |date= April 4, 2023 |first= Katie |last= Thoresen |work= WXPR |accessdate= April 4, 2023 }}
• In Sawyer County, Monica Isham Chase, the deputy attorney general for Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians, defeated attorney Thomas J. Duffy for a newly created judicial seat.{{cite news|url= https://www.wrn.com/2023/04/first-woman-and-first-native-american-judge-elected-in-sawyer-county/ |title= First Woman And First Native American Judge Elected In Sawyer County |first= Bob |last= Hague |work= Wisconsin Radio Network |date= April 5, 2023 |accessdate= April 6, 2023 }}
• In Sheboygan County Branch 2, municipal judge Natasha L. Torry was elected to the seat being vacated by Judge Kent Hoffman. Former assistant district attorney James A. Haasch dropped out of the race but still appeared on the ballot.{{cite news|url= https://www.sheboyganpress.com/story/news/politics/elections/2023/01/10/sheboygan-county-spring-2023-election-candidates-ballot-how-to-vote/69636883007/ |title= Here are the candidates running for Sheboygan, Plymouth and Sheboygan Falls seats in the 2023 spring election |first= Maya |last= Hilty |newspaper= Sheboygan Press |date= January 10, 2023 |accessdate= February 22, 2023 }}{{cite news|url= https://www.sheboyganpress.com/story/news/politics/elections/2023/04/04/sheboygan-plymouth-falls-2023-city-council-school-board-election-results/70042795007/ |title= Sheboygan voters elect liberal local candidates — and 4 more takeaways from Tuesday's county election results |newspaper= Sheboygan Press |date= April 6, 2023 |first= Maya |last= Hilty |accessdate= April 6, 2023 }}
• In Sheboygan County Branch 5, attorney George Limbeck defeated public defender Cassandra Van Gompel for the judicial seat being vacated by Judge Daniel Borowski.
• In Vernon County, district attorney Timothy J. Gaskell defeated attorney Angela Lynn Palmer-Fisher for the judicial seat being vacated by Judge Darcy Rood.{{cite news|url= https://lacrossetribune.com/community/vernonbroadcaster/news/timothy-j-gaskell-elected-vernon-county-circuit-court-judge/article_9ac612d0-d3ee-11ed-be9a-1bf3016e8074.html |title= Timothy J. Gaskell elected Vernon County Circuit Court judge |first= Angie |last= Cina |date= April 5, 2023 |newspaper= La Crosse Tribune |accessdate= April 6, 2023 }}
• In Washington County, incumbent judge Ryan J. Hetzel defeated a challenge from Hartford attorney Russell Jones.{{cite news|url= https://www.gmtoday.com/daily_news/news/judge-hetzel-wins-election-for-washington-county-circuit-court/article_68ab4f94-d336-11ed-8298-7bd29a5068d3.html |title= Judge Hetzel wins election for Washington County Circuit Court |date= April 4, 2023 |first= Grayson |last= Sewell |work= Washington County Daily News |accessdate= April 4, 2023 }}
• In Waukesha County, former state representative Cody Horlacher defeated incumbent circuit judge Fred Strampe.{{cite news|url= https://www.gmtoday.com/the_freeman/news/horlacher-elected-to-serve-as-waukesha-county-circuit-court-judge-for-branch-7/article_751a9dec-d34b-11ed-933e-93d82c12f7a3.html |title= Horlacher elected to serve as Waukesha County Circuit Court judge for Branch 7 |date= April 4, 2023 |work= Waukesha County Freeman |first= Katherine |last= Beck |accessdate= April 4, 2023 }}
• In Winnebago County, incumbent judge Scott C. Woldt defeated a challenge from former Winnebago County circuit judge LaKeisha D. Haase.{{Cite news|url= https://www.thenorthwestern.com/story/news/politics/elections/2023/04/04/oshkosh-winnebago-county-election-results-spring-2023-races/70035243007/ |title= Matt Mugerauer wins Oshkosh mayor race, council sees shakeup after 2023 spring elections |date= April 4, 2023 |first= Bremen |last= Keasey |newspaper= Oshkosh Northwestern |accessdate= April 4, 2023 }}
• In Wood County, Wisconsin Rapids attorney Timothy Gebert defeated the incumbent district attorney Craig Lambert for a newly created judicial seat.{{cite news|url= https://www.marshfieldnewsherald.com/story/news/politics/elections/2023/04/05/marshfield-wood-county-election-results-2023-spring-races/70061271007/ |title= Marshfield school district and public safety referendums fail, and other election results |date= April 5, 2023 |first= Jamie |last= Rokus |newspaper= Marshfield News-Herald |accessdate= April 6, 2023 }}

There were two amendments to the Constitution of Wisconsin on the ballot for the Spring general election. The proposed amendments were structured as two questions to voters for consideration of separate changes to Section 8 of Article I of the Wisconsin Constitution, dealing with conditions for pre-trial release of those accused of crimes.{{cite web|url= https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2023/related/proposals/ajr1 |title= 2023 Assembly Joint Resolution 1 |date= January 6, 2023 |website= Wisconsin Legislature |accessdate= January 22, 2023 }} Both amendments were ratified by voters.{{cite news |url= https://www.tmj4.com/news/decision-2023/wisconsin-votes-for-referendum-on-cash-bail-and-violent-crimes |title=

Wisconsin votes for referendum on cash bail and violent crimes |date= April 4, 2023 |work= WTMJ-TV |first1= Jackson |last1= Danbeck |first2= Ben |last2= Jordan |accessdate= April 4, 2023 }} There was also a non-binding advisory question on the ballot for the Spring general election regarding welfare, which was also approved.{{cite report|url= https://elections.wi.gov/sites/default/files/documents/County%20by%20County%20Report_Referendum%20Question%201.pdf |title= 2023 Spring Election - Question 1 - County by County Report |publisher= Wisconsin Elections Commission |date= April 18, 2023 |accessdate= April 21, 2023 }}{{cite report|url= https://elections.wi.gov/sites/default/files/documents/County%20by%20County%20Report_Referendum%20Question%202.pdf |title= 2023 Spring Election - Question 2 - County by County Report |publisher= Wisconsin Elections Commission |date= April 18, 2023 |accessdate= April 21, 2023 }}{{cite report|url= https://elections.wi.gov/sites/default/files/documents/County%20by%20County%20Report_Referendum%20Question%203.pdf |title= 2023 Spring Election - Question 3 - County by County Report |publisher= Wisconsin Elections Commission |date= April 18, 2023 |accessdate= April 21, 2023 }}

A lawsuit alleged that the Republican legislature had missed the deadline for these questions to appear on the April ballot, but the questions were allowed to proceed.{{Cite news|url= https://www.kenoshanews.com/news/state-and-regional/lawsuit-seeks-to-block-2-measures-from-april-ballot/article_23cfa45c-92ac-53ab-aaf9-94d979c1cedb.html |title= Lawsuit seeks to block 2 measures from April ballot |date= January 31, 2023 |newspaper= Kenosha News |first= Scott |last= Bauer |accessdate= February 20, 2023 }}{{cite news|url= https://pbswisconsin.org/news-item/dane-county-judge-rules-amendment-referendum-can-appear-on-april-2023-ballot/ |title= Dane County judge rules amendment, referendum can appear on April 2023 ballot |date= February 21, 2023 |work= PBS Wisconsin |accessdate= March 14, 2023 }}

{{Infobox referendum

| name = Question 1

| title =

| date = April 4, 2023

| location = {{flag|Wisconsin}}

| yes = 1,163,303

| no = 584,624

| total = 1,747,927

| invalid =

| map = 2023 Wisconsin Question 1 results map by county.svg

| map_size = 250px

| mapcaption =

Yes: {{legend0|#47729E|70–80% |border=1px #AAAAAA solid}} {{legend0|#7D9CBB|60–70% |border=1px #AAAAAA solid}} {{legend0|#B6C8D9|50–60% |border=1px #AAAAAA solid}}

| notes =

}}

For Question 1, a "yes" vote would raise the conditions necessary for release, removing the word "bodily" from the phrase "All persons, before conviction, shall be eligible for release under reasonable conditions designed to ... protect members of the community from serious bodily harm".

{{clear}}

{{Infobox referendum

| name = Question 2

| title =

| date = April 4, 2023

| location = {{flag|Wisconsin}}

| yes = 1,186,025

| no = 569,286

| total = 1,755,311

| invalid =

| map = 2023 Wisconsin Question 2 results map by county.svg

| map_size = 250px

| mapcaption =

Yes: {{legend0|#47729E|70–80% |border=1px #AAAAAA solid}} {{legend0|#7D9CBB|60–70% |border=1px #AAAAAA solid}} {{legend0|#B6C8D9|50–60% |border=1px #AAAAAA solid}}

| notes =

}}

For Question 2, a "yes" vote would insert an additional paragraph allowing judges wider latitude for when to apply cash bail for people accused of violent crimes. The current language of the constitution allows imposition of cash bail only in situations where it is believed "necessary to assure appearance in court." The amendment would allow judges to impose cash bail (on those accused of a violent crime) based on the "totality of the circumstances".

{{clear}}

{{Infobox referendum

| name = Question 3

| title =

| date = April 4, 2023

| location = {{flag|Wisconsin}}

| yes = 1,417,035

| no = 363,941

| total = 1,780,976

| invalid =

| map = 2023 Wisconsin Question 3 results map by county.svg

| map_size = 250px

| mapcaption =

Yes: {{legend0|#2B2457|>90% |border=1px #AAAAAA solid}} {{legend0|#28497C|80–90% |border=1px #AAAAAA solid}} {{legend0|#47729E|70–80% |border=1px #AAAAAA solid}} {{legend0|#7D9CBB|60–70% |border=1px #AAAAAA solid}}

| notes =

}}

The legislature poses the question "Shall able-bodied, childless adults be required to look for work in order to receive taxpayer-funded welfare benefits?" The results of the referendum had no legal effect, and Wisconsin law already has work requirements for all welfare programs in the state.{{Cite news|url= https://www.wuwm.com/2023-03-27/what-2023-april-election-wisconsin-referendums-meaning |title= What are the 2023 April referendums and what do they mean? |work= WUWM |first= Maayan |last= Silver |date= March 27, 2023 |accessdate= April 1, 2023 }} Voters approved this advisory referendum.

{{clear}}

{{Main|2023 Green Bay mayoral election}}A regularly scheduled mayoral election was held in Green Bay, Wisconsin, concurrent with the Spring general election. First-term incumbent Democrat Eric Genrich defeated a challenge from Republican former state representative Chad Weininger to win a second four-year term.{{cite news|url= https://www.wearegreenbay.com/news/local-news/green-bay-mayor-race-comes-down-to-the-final-votes-genrich-edges-out-weininger/ |title= Genrich edges out Weininger in Green Bay Mayoral race |work= WFRV-TV |date= April 4, 2023 |first= Indiana |last= Schilz |accessdate= April 4, 2023 }}{{cite news|url= https://fox11online.com/news/election/former-state-rep-weininger-may-join-green-bays-mayor-race-april-election-eric-genrich-jim-schmitt |title= Former State Rep. Weininger may join Green Bay's mayor race |work=WLUK-TV |date= September 21, 2022 |first1= Ben |last1= Krumholz |first2= Brian |last2= Kerhin |accessdate= November 28, 2022 }}{{cite news|url= https://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/story/news/politics/elections/2023/02/21/green-bay-mayor-election-results-2023-spring-primary-february-21-genrich-weininger-boucher-juza/69914674007/ |title= Genrich, Weininger sail through primary for Green Bay mayor; McIntyre and Kopp advance in Howard village president race |first= Doug |last= Schneider |newspaper= Green Bay Press-Gazette |date= February 21, 2023 |accessdate= February 22, 2023 }}

A regularly scheduled election for village president was held in Howard, Wisconsin, concurrent with the Spring general election. Incumbent Burt McIntyre defeated IT professional J. D. Kopp in the April general election.{{cite news|url= https://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/story/news/politics/elections/2023/04/04/de-pere-hobart-howard-election-results-spring-2023-races/70030125007/ |title= Hobart, Howard village presidents reelected as incumbents hold power in municipal races |newspaper= Green Bay Press-Gazette |date= April 4, 2023 |first= Doug |last= Schneider |accessdate= April 4, 2023 }}

A regularly scheduled mayoral election was held in Fitchburg, Wisconsin, concurrent with the Spring general election. Incumbent mayor Aaron Richardson declined to seek re-election to a third term after unsuccessfully running for State Treasurer.{{Cite news |last=Viviani |first=Nick |date=October 10, 2022 |title=Fitchburg mayor won’t run for third term |url=https://www.wmtv15news.com/2022/10/10/fitchburg-mayor-wont-run-third-term/?_ga=2.149330486.1418743870.1732394257-1334534171.1732394257 |access-date=November 23, 2024 |work=15 WMTV}} Only two candidates filed to run for the office, removing the need for a primary.{{Cite news |last=Tornabene |first=Juliana |date=October 11, 2022 |title=Fitchburg city council president announces bid for mayor |url=https://www.wmtv15news.com/2022/10/11/fitchburg-city-council-president-announces-bid-mayor/ |access-date=November 13, 2024 |work=15 WMTV}}{{Cite news |last=Jones |first=Tara |date=November 16, 2022 |title=Council member Julia Arata-Fratta announces bid for Mayor of Fitchburg |url=https://www.fitchburgstar.com/news/council-member-julia-arata-fratta-announces-bid-for-mayor-of-fitchburg/article_ffb7c168-65c9-11ed-aa7f-e33ad6243f6d.html |access-date=November 16, 2024 |work=Fitchburg Star}} District 2 Alderperson Julia Arata-Fratta defeated fellow Alderperson and Common Council president Randy Udell by 4 points in the general election.{{Cite news |last=Amant |first=Alisyn |date=April 5, 2023 |title=Arata-Fratta wins election, becomes third-ever woman mayor |url=https://www.fitchburgstar.com/news/arata-fratta-wins-election-becomes-third-ever-woman-mayor/article_1ce1bed8-d3ca-11ed-a552-bbf0acd9f22b.html |access-date=November 23, 2024 |work=Fitchburg Star}}

A regularly scheduled mayoral election was held in Madison, Wisconsin, concurrent with the Spring general election. First-term incumbent mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway defeated former deputy mayor and Madison Metropolitan School District School Board President Gloria Reyes in the general election to win a second four-year term.{{cite news|url= https://www.nbc15.com/2023/04/04/madison-voters-decide-citys-leader-election-day/ |title= Madison Mayor Rhodes Conway projected to win reelection |date= April 4, 2023 |work= WMTV |first1=Juliana |last1= Tornabene |first2= Colton |last2= Molesky |first3= Camberyn |last3= Kelley |accessdate= April 4, 2023 }}{{cite news|url= https://captimes.com/news/government/madison-mayor-satya-rhodes-conway-announces-reelection-bid/article_a98c5b61-6ad4-5f29-9eba-193e4036cc70.html |title= Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway announces reelection bid |first= Allison |last= Garfield |date= November 20, 2022 |newspaper=The Capital Times |accessdate= November 28, 2022 }} Scott Kerr, a career city employee of the city of Madison, was eliminated in the primary. Daniel Howell, a recent University of Wisconsin graduate, missed the filing deadline and ran an unsuccessful write-in campaign in the primary.{{cite web|url= https://captimes.com/news/government/madisons-quiet-mayoral-race-is-about-to-get-louder/article_6eaa1649-5af7-5acd-adbd-4bb8da1bcffa.html |title= Madison's quiet mayoral race is about to get louder |first= Allison |last= Garfield |date= January 30, 2023 |work= The Capital Times |accessdate= January 30, 2023 }}{{cite report|url= https://elections.countyofdane.com/Election-Result/148 |title= 2023 Spring Primary |date= February 21, 2023 |website= Dane County, Wisconsin |accessdate= February 22, 2023 }}

A regularly scheduled mayoral election was held in Middleton, Wisconsin, concurrent with the Spring general election. Incumbent mayor Gurdip Brar did not run for a third term.{{cite news|url= https://www.wkow.com/news/mayor-of-middleton-announces-he-wont-run-for-third-term/article_752c033a-69f5-11ed-9b70-7bec2203d5ad.html |title= Mayor of Middleton announces he won't run for third term |first= Sara |last= Maslar-Donar |work= WKOW |date= November 21, 2022 |accessdate= February 22, 2023 }} City councilmember Emily Kuhn defeated fellow city councilmember Kathy Olson in the April general election.{{cite news|url= https://www.channel3000.com/news/politics/election-results/middleton-mayor/race_1eea1f28-3ef6-5233-bde3-ff7fbdc80e10.html |title= Election Results - Middleton Mayor |date= April 4, 2023 |work= WISC-TV |accessdate= April 4, 2023 }}

A regularly scheduled county executive election was held in Outagamie County, Wisconsin, concurrent with the Spring general election. Three-term incumbent Democrat Tom Nelson defeated former county board member Kevin Sturn in the general election to win a fourth four-year term.{{cite news|url= https://www.postcrescent.com/story/news/politics/elections/2023/04/04/outagamie-county-executive-results-2023-tom-nelson-and-kevin-sturn/70038235007/ |title= Tom Nelson defeats Kevin Sturn to win fourth term as Outagamie County executive |first= Sophia |last= Voight |date= April 4, 2023 |newspaper= The Post-Crescent |accessdate= April 4, 2023 }} County board member Justin Krueger was eliminated in the primary.{{cite news|url= https://www.postcrescent.com/story/news/politics/elections/2023/01/24/qa-with-outagamie-county-executive-primary-candidates/69826608007/ |title= Outagamie County Executive Tom Nelson, challengers Justin Krueger and Kevin Sturn share goals ahead of Feb. 21 primary |first= Sophia |last= Voight |newspaper= The Post-Crescent |date= January 24, 2023 |accessdate= February 22, 2023 }}

A regularly scheduled mayoral election was held in Racine, Wisconsin, concurrent with the Spring general election. Incumbent mayor Cory Mason defeated city councilmember Henry Perez in the general election to win a second four-year term.{{cite news|url= https://journaltimes.com/news/local/mason-re-elected-as-mayor-plus-other-winners-and-results-in-tuesdays-election-in-racine/article_c961bffe-d344-11ed-81a8-dbcf9ef48ced.html |title= Mason re-elected as mayor, plus other winners and results in Tuesday's election in Racine County |date= April 4, 2023 |newspaper= Racine Journal Times |accessdate= April 4, 2023 }} Retirement financial advisor Jim DeMatthew was eliminated in the February primary.{{cite news|url= https://racinecountyeye.com/2022/11/28/mason-seeking-second-term/ |title= Mason seeking second term; stresses 'a more equitable community' |first= Paul |last= Holley |work= Racine County Eye |date= November 28, 2022 |accessdate= November 28, 2022 }}{{cite report|url= https://www.racinecounty.com/home/showpublisheddocument/44197 |title= Election Summary Report - February 21, 2023 |date= February 21, 2023 |website= Racine County, Wisconsin |accessdate= February 22, 2023 }}

A regularly scheduled village board election was held in Mount Pleasant concurrent with the Spring general election. Incumbent village president Dave DeGroot and his allies on the village board defeated a challenge from a slate of village residents opposed to the Foxconn project, and the handling of that issue by the village government.{{cite news|url= https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/local/2023/01/03/foxconn-opponents-seek-to-oust-mount-pleasant-village-board/69771706007/ |title= Foxconn opponents hoping to oust current Mount Pleasant village board in spring election |first= Corrinne |last= Hess |newspaper= Milwaukee Journal Sentinel |date= January 3, 2023 |accessdate= February 22, 2023 }} Incumbent president Dave DeGroot defeated activist Kelly Gallaher. Trustee Nancy Washburn defeated Kim Mahoney, who was a long-time holdout against relocating from the Foxconn site. Trustee John Hewitt defeated Travis Yanke, a project manager at AbbVie. Trustee Ram Bhatia defeated accountant Eric Martinez.

A regularly scheduled mayoral election was held in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, concurrent with the Spring general election. Incumbent mayor Lori Palmeri did not run for re-election, after being elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2022. Deputy mayor Matt Mugerauer defeated fellow city councilmember Aaron Wojciechowski in the general election.

{{reflist}}

• [http://elections.wi.gov Wisconsin Elections Commission] official information for and about voters, elections and candidates
• [https://votesmart.org/election/2023/S/WI/ Candidates] at Vote Smart

{{2023 United States elections}}

2023

Wisconsin

Category:2023 state legislature elections in the United States