Frederica Freyberg:

Tuesday’s midterm election maintained Wisconsin’s brand of a divided statewide electorate. Republican U.S. Senator Ron Johnson won re-election with a narrow victory over his Democratic challenger Lt. Governor Mandela Barnes. In the race for governor, Democratic incumbent Tony Evers won 51% to 47% over Republican Tim Michels. For attorney governor, incumbent Democrat Josh Kaul goes on to another term defeating Republican challenger Eric Toney, and in the election for secretary of state, Democratic incumbent Doug La Follette holds a razor thin .3% margin over his Republican challenger Amy Loudenbeck. Senior political reporter Zac Schultz has brought us coverage throughout the election season and was on hand as the results came in.

Tony Evers:

Thank you!

[cheers and applause]

Tony Evers:

Hello, Wisconsin!

Zac Schultz:

It was a long wait, but when Governor Tony Evers took the stage just before 1:00 a.m. Wednesday morning, he declared victory with one of his favorite sayings.

Tony Evers:

Holy mackerel, folks. How about that?

Zac Schultz:

Evers has always relied on folksy style to win votes.

Tony Evers:

That’s who I am folks and that’s what I’ve always been. Some people call it boring, but you know what Wisconsin? As it turns out, boring wins.

Zac Schultz:

Evers also gave credit to supercharged turnout among young voters, especially college students, and Democrats who were motivated by the issue of abortion rights.

Tony Evers:

You showed up for each other. You showed up for the reproductive rights and the freedom for you.

The freedom for you and your neighbors to make their own healthcare decisions without having to ask me or any other elected official.

Zac Schultz:

Across the state in Milwaukee, Evers’ former lieutenant governor Mandela Barnes was not able to celebrate in his U.S. Senate race. He consistently underperformed Evers’ margins by about 2%, and his supporters were sent off with Barnes trailing incumbent Republican Ron Johnson.

Felesia Martin:

Our elections have razor thin margins, and this U.S. Senate race is no different. This race is far too close to call tonight.

Zac Schultz:

In Neenah, Johnson sent supporters home with more optimism.

Ron Johnson:

We’ve looked very closely at the numbers. We feel very confident that there’s no way that they can really make up that gap, but, you know, I’m not — I’m not going to, you know, declare victory until all the numbers are in, but I just wanted to give you guys the sense that this race is over, you know.

Zac Schultz:

By noon on Wednesday, Barnes was ready to concede.

Mandela Barnes:

Now, unfortunately, we didn’t get over the finish line this time, but I know that this movement has meant so much to all of us where just because we didn’t cross the finish line, it does not mean it’s over.

Zac Schultz:

Between the gubernatorial and Senate race, candidates in groups spent more than $300 million, and voters were inundated with nonstop negative ads. Johnson was only talking about his race, but his comments on election night seemed to sum up our current political environment.

Ron Johnson:

It’s a little depressing, isn’t it? That lies can be that effective, and if you ever wonder, quite honestly, why more good people don’t run for office, I would just recommend people take a look at the Wisconsin U.S. Senate race in the year 2022.

Zac Schultz:

Meanwhile, back in Madison, the self-described boring Tony Evers was ready to dance the night away to celebrate four more years in office.

Tony Evers:

We’re going to polka tonight and get back to work tomorrow. Thank you, Wisconsin. We love you!

Zac Schultz:

Reporting from Madison, I’m Zac Schultz for “Here & Now.”