Wisconsin Dems, Republicans Predict State Senate Control

Democrats say a strong showing by President Obama will help them retain control of the state Senate in the upcoming election. But Republicans say the districts in play favor them.

Democrats currently hold a 17-16 seat edge in the state Senate, but the decision by Conover Democrat Jim Holperin not to run again has left that Senate district wide open. Republican Assemblyman Tom Tiffany faces Democrat Susan Sommer in that race. Senate Democratic Majority Leader Mark Miller told a Wispolitics forum that it’s a tough race for Democrats but that President Obama’s poll numbers bode well for them, “It’s very exciting to see the advancement, the lead that the top of the ticket has taken because I think that’s going to help pull candidates along.”

But Republican Senate Minority Leader Scott Fitzgerald says the Holperin seat is a Republican district by the numbers, as is the Senate district held by Oshkosh Democrat Jess King. She faces Republican Rick Gudex. Fitzgerald likes Republicans chances, “I just think it is a Republican seat, no matter what numbers you look at, what composite you want to put together.”

Fitzgerald predicts a two or three seat Republican majority after the election while Miller predicts Democrats will maintain their one-seat edge. Control of the Senate could largely determine whether Gov. Scott Walker will be able to advance his agenda in 2013.