Gov. Scott Walker Calls For Special Elections

MADISON, WI — Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker issued Executive Order #280 calling for a special election for 1st Senate District and 42nd Assembly District Walker ordered the special election to be held on Tuesday, June 12, 2018. If a primary is necessary, it will be held on Tuesday, May 15, 2018.

Circulation of nomination papers for candidates may begin, March 29, 2018. Nomination papers must be filed no later than 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 17, 2018.

Both legislative seats were held by Republican lawmakers, who both resigned on Dec. 29, 2017 to take up positions in Walker's administration.

Walker had gone on record saying that it would be a "waste of taxpayer money" to fill the vacant legislative seats, because the Legislature's regular session is nearly complete, however Democrats were countering, saying that he's trying to block potential Democratic victories in both districts after they captured a stunning victory in a special State Senate election in December.

But even as Walker orders special elections in both districts, and Republicans lost both to Democrats, neither would threaten to change the balance of power in either house. Republicans hold an 18-14 majority in the Senate and a 63-35 advantage in the Assembly.

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