One Wisconsin Now

The high cost of health care was on the minds of many voters as they went to the polls yesterday.  This should not be a surprise as we released a poll last month that clearly showed that the issue was the top concern.  That poll also showed that Wisconsinites were not happy with the inaction of the state legislature on the issue of health care reform.  It appears that this may have led to the Democratic takeover of the state Senate. 

The high cost of health care was on the minds of many voters as they went to the polls yesterday.  This should not be a surprise as we released a poll last month that clearly showed that the issue was the top concern.  That poll also showed that Wisconsinites were not happy with the inaction of the state legislature on the issue of health care reform.  It appears that this may have led to the Democratic takeover of the state Senate. 

Republican State Senators Dave Zien and Ron Brown both lost in yesterday's election.  Racine County Executive Bill McReynolds also lost his bid for the state senate.  As a study from the Institute for One Wisconsin showed, all of these areas lead the state in paying high health care costs.  All of these areas also had grassroots efforts that put health care on Tuesday's ballot.  Those advisory referendums calling for health care reform won by overwhelming margins.  Eau Claire County passed the health care reform referendum by 83%, La Crosse County by 84%, and the City of Racine by 83%.  It seems that this very clear call for health care reform played a major role in flipping the state Senate in this election. 

There was even a huge upset in a state Assembly race in Eau Claire.  Democratic candidate Jeff Smith focused on health care reform and narrowly beat incumbent state Rep. Rob Kreibich. 

The people of Wisconsin have spoken on health care reform and have entrusted the Democratic Party with the state Senate.  They should make reforming health care one of the first items on their agenda to honor the wishes of the people that elected them. 

Results from other Health Care Reform Referendums across the state are as follows:

Dane 171,396 (83.38%) to 34,159 (16.61%)

Racine City  17,864 (83%) to 3,598  21,462 (16%)

DePere 6,735 (77.67%) to 1,936 (22.33%)

LaCrosse 33,315 (84%) to 6,350 (16.01%)

Wood 24,022 (86%) to 3,894 (14%)

Jackson 5923 (88%)  to 845 (12%)  6,768

Dunn 11,863 (84%)  to 2,289 (12%)

Manitowoc City 9634 (83%) to  1917 (17%)

Eau Claire (83%) 30,152  to 6,230 (17%)

Total: 286, 906 (82%) to 61,218 (18%)   Total Votes: 348,124