All numbers are for the calendar year unless indicated otherwise.
Legislative Candidates and Elections
Number of legislative seats up for election in the 2016 general election: 115.
Number of candidates running for legislature on the primary ballot in the 2016 general election: 230. 2014 general election: 247. In 2012: 298. In 2010: 312.
Percentage decline in number of candidates running for legislature since 2010: -26.3%.
Number of legislative seats contested by candidates from both major parties in November 2016: 58 out of 115 . In November 2014: 61 out of 116 . In November 2012: 82 out of 115. In November 2010: 83 out of 116.
Number of candidates with no ballot opposition from any party in November 2016: 50. In November 2014: 49. In November 2012: 26. In November 2010: 25.
First election using gerrymandered districts drawn by the Republican controlled legislature: 2012.
Number of Democrats with no ballot opposition from any party in November 2016: 29. Republicans 21.
Number of incumbents running for reelection in 2016: 102. Democrats: 39. Republicans: 63.
Number of incumbents challenged in the 2016 primaries: 8. Democrats: 8. Republicans: 0.
Number of incumbents who lost in the primaries: 0.
Number of incumbents who lost in 2016: 2. Democrats: 2. Republicans: 0.
General election voter turnout in 2016: 67.3%. In 2014: 54.8%. In 2012: 70.1%. In 2010: 49.7%.
Party representation in the Assembly after the 2016 fall election: Democrats 35. Republicans: 64.
Democratic share of the vote for the Assembly in 2016: 45.8%. Republican share: 52.0%
Votes for Assembly candidates in 2016: Democrats: 1,175,779. Republicans: 1,333,351. Third-Party and Independents: 56,664.
Votes for Assembly candidates in 2014: Democrats: 883,470. Republicans: 1,170,284. Third-Party and Independents: 23,187.
Votes for Assembly candidates in 2012: Democrats: 1,417,359. Republicans: 1,250,190. Third-Party and Independents: 28,099.
Votes for Assembly candidates in 2010: Democrats: 838,217. Republicans: 1,134,790. Third-Party and Independents: 56,309.
In the Senate: Democrats 13: Republicans 20.
Combined* Democratic share of the vote for the Senate in 2014 and 2016: 47.6%. Republican: 51.5%.
Vote for Senate candidates in 2016: Democrats: 639,545. Republicans: 618,589. Third-Party and Independents: 2,093.
Vote for Senate candidates in 2014: Democrats: 509,886. Republicans: 623,358. Third-Party and Independents: 20,020.
Vote for Senate candidates in 2012: Democrats: 696,320. Republicans: 593,893. Third-Party and Independents: 13,118.
Vote for Senate candidates in 2010: Democrats: 430,068. Republicans: 627,160. Third-Party and Independents: 2,071.
Number of competitive** seats in the the 2016 election: 8. In 2014: 11. In 2012: 17. In 2010: 24.
*Only half of the Senate is up for reelection in any given election year.
**Vote spread of ten percentage points.
Money in Legislative Elections
Election year income for all 230 candidates in the 2016 election from all sources: $13.7 million. For 247 candidates in 2014: $10.1 million.
Amount of 2016 income from individuals: $6.7 million. From PACs, parties and candidate committees: $7 million.
Amount of 2014 income from individuals: $8.4 million. From PACS, parties and candidate committees: $1.7 million.
Percentage change in candidate total income from 2014 to 2016: +35.5%.
Percentage change in income from individuals between 2014 and 2016: -20.2%.
Percentage change in income from PAC, parties and candidate committees between 2014 and 2016: +303.7%.
Year that new Republican written campaign finance laws doubling contribution limits and loosening reporting requirements went into effect: 2016.
Total candidate spending* in 2016: $13.5 million. In 2014: $8 million.
Percentage change in candidate spending from 2014 to 2016: +67.2%.
Spending in 2016 by Democrats: $6.7 million. Republicans: $6.8 million.
Spending in 2014 by Democrats: $3 million. Republicans: $5 million.
Special interest spending on legislative races in the form of "independent expenditures" and "issue ads" in 2016: $9 million. In 2014: $4.9 million.
Percentage change in such spending:: +83.7%.
Reported amount on independent expenditures: $4.4 million. In 2014: $1.9 million.
Estimated issue ad spending in 2016: $4.6 million. In 2014: $3 million.
Highest spending special interest group in 2016 legislative races: Greater Wisconsin Committee, $2.1 million.
Highest in 2014: Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce, $1.5 million.
Race with the most spending in 2016: 18th Senate District, $5.1 million.
Amount spent by candidates in the 18th Senate District: $1.1 million.
Highest spending legislative race in 2014: 17th Senate District: $2.9 million.
Amount spent by the candidates in the 17th Senate District: $700,000.
Assembly race with the most spending in 2016: 51st Assembly District, $1.4 million.
Amount spent by candidates in the 51st Assembly District: $846,000.
Assembly race with the most spending in 2014: 70th Assembly District, $376,000.
Amount spent by candidates in the 70th Assembly District: $216,000.
*Spending includes committee to committee transfers.
Supreme Court
Total income* for the three Supreme Court candidates in 2016: $1.5 million.
Total income for the two Supreme Court candidates in 2015: $832,000.
Total income for the three Supreme Court candidates in 2013: $1 million.
Total income for the four Supreme Court candidates in 2011: $1.4 million.
Amount of candidates' 2011 income from Democracy Trust Fund: $900,000.
Amount from Democracy Trust Fund** since 2011: $0.
Supreme Court candidate spending in 2016: $2.1 million. 2015: $1.15 million. 2013: $1.08 million. 2011: $1.4 million.
Special interest spending in 2016: $3.1 million. 2015: $170,000. 2013: $1.2 million. 2011: $4.5 million.
Amount of that in the form of disclosed independent expenditures in 2016 Supreme Court race: $224,000. In 2015: $2,200. In 2013: $351,000. 2011: $215,000.
Estimated amount from undisclosed "issue ads" in 2016: $2.9 million. In 2015: $168,000. In 2013: $850,000. 2011: $4.3 million.
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*Income and spending refers to first six months of elections years. Supreme Court elections are held in April.
**Repealed in 2011 by the Republican controlled legislature and the governor.