Jarchow, Schachtner Win 10th State Senate Partisan Primaries

A field of six candidates running for the 10th State Senate District has been narrowed down to three, with state Rep. Adam Jarchow, R-Balsam Lake, and Patty Schachtner, D-Somerset, moving on to a special general election next month.

Jarchow edged out fellow Assemblyman Shannon Zimmerman, R-River Falls, winning 56 percent of the vote with Zimmerman garnering 44 percent, according to unofficial results posted on five counties’ websites. In a statement Jarchow said he is humbled and honored by the primary victory.

“I want to thank my opponent Shannon Zimmerman for a hard fought race,” said Jarchow. “I look forward to carrying our message of less government, lower taxes and more liberty into the general election in January.”

In the run-up to the primary Jarchow and Zimmerman took steps to avoid criticizing one another, but eventually the two ran negative advertisements. Jarchow’s campaign accused Zimmerman of living outside of the 10th Senate District, while Zimmerman said Jarchow voted with Democrats against Gov. Scott Walker’s reforms in the state budget.

In the Democratic primary, St. Croix County Medical Examiner Patty Schachtner won convincingly by garnering 70 percent of the vote, according to the unofficial results. Challenger John Calabrese, D-Glenwood City, got 25 percent of the Democratic vote, and Reuben Herfindahl, D-River Falls, won less than 5 percent of the total. In a statement Schachtner said her campaign is about investing in people and revitalizing the district.

“Tonight, Democratic voters showed that they believe in that message and I am deeply grateful for their support,” said Schachtner.

Schachtner’s campaign has been bolstered by assistance from the State Senate Democratic Committee.

According to the last campaign finance reports, Schachtner’s campaign had a cash balance of $9,620 before the primary election, while Jarchow’s campaign had a balance of $149,579.

The 10th Senate District includes portions of Burnett, Dunn, Pierce, Polk and St. Croix counties. The seat was held for 17 years by former state Sen. Sheila Harsdorf, R-River Falls, who left the Legislature when Walker appointed her to lead the state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection on Nov. 10.

Jarchow and Schachtner will now go on to face Libertarian candidate Brian Corriea in the special general election Tuesday, Jan. 16.