Sharp County divide in Presidential election
By Jason Arndt
Staff Writer
According to the Kenosha County Clerk’s Office, all incumbents retained their seats, including Republican State Representative to the 61st Assembly District Samantha Kerkman, who defeated challenger Amee Janus to secure her eighth consecutive re-election bid.
Of the 29,466 ballots cast in 22 precincts, Kerkman received 19,622 votes compared to Janus’ 9,792 votes, with 52 write-in votes.
Lives in: Salem
Age: 42
Resident of District: Lifelong.
Occupation: Wisconsin State Assembly since 2000. Former Chief of Staff to State Representative Cloyd Porter, staff member of Joint Committee on Finance, 1999-2001 Budget Conference Committee.
Education: Wilmot Union High School; Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a minor in criminal justice, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
Political experience: In 2015-16 session, serves as Co-Chair of Joint Committee on Audit, Ways and Means, Judiciary and Ethics, Children and Families.
Family: Mother of two sons.
Kerkman, who has served the district since 2000, was the Co-Chair of Joint Committee on Audit, Ways and Means, Judiciary and Ethics along with Children and Families in the 2015-16 session.
In the pre-election questionnaire, Kerkman states she plans to continue working towards the creation of new jobs in the area, adding to the 6,000 developed within the last 36 months and noted her experience.
“I will continue to work to expand our business friendly climate to continue grow our local and state economy,” Kerkman stated.
For Janus, she opted to challenge Kerkman, stating she believes the middle class has not been well represented at the state level.
“I’m running to represent people like myself and all the residents of our district,” Janus stated. “People who work hard every day but always feel a sense of uncertainty about their jobs.”
Meanwhile, in the District 32 race, Republican incumbent Tyler August won both of his precincts in Kenosha County against Christine Welcher, edging the Democratic newcomer 1,131 votes to her 580 votes.
In to the addition to the two precincts in Kenosha County, which is mainly around the Town of Wheatland, August edged Welcher in Walworth County by a 1,5149 to 9,174 margin.
In the State Senate race, which brought a rematch between Democratic candidate Russ Feingold and incumbent Ron Johnson, the Republican won in what is considered a surge both statewide and nationally.
Additionally, Paul Ryan retained his seat in the U.S. Congressional race against Ryan Solen, of Mount Pleasant.
All other races involving Western Kenosha County communities, including the promotion of Deputy District Attorney Michael Graveley to District Attorney, replacing noncandidate Robert Zapf went uncontested.
Sharp divide locally and in the country
Nationally, Donald Trump captured the presidency, defeating Hillary Clinton by less than 1,00 votes.
Like the national stage, Kenosha County voters faced a stark divide between the presidential candidates, with Trump garnering 36,025 votes to Clinton’s 35,770 votes.