MILWAUKEE — Dan Knodl will represent District 8 in the Wisconsin State Senate, TMJ4 News projects.
Knodl received 51 percent of the vote, compared to Jodi Habush Sinykin's 49 percent, according to TMJ4 News election results.
Knodl previously declared victory, before the race was officially called.
Knodl currently represents District 24 in the Wisconsin State Assembly. He assumed office in 2009. Knodl was elected assistant majority leader of the Wisconsin State Assembly and majority caucus chair. Knodl also served as a member of the Washington County Board, according to Ballotpedia.
According to the Associated Press, Knodl’s victory gives Senate Republicans 22 votes in the 33-seat chamber. That’s enough to override a gubernatorial veto in that house. A successful override takes a two-thirds vote in the Senate and Assembly, however, and Assembly Republicans remain two seats shy of the 66 they need.
He released a statement early Wednesday morning declaring his victory, saying in part, "Thank you to my opponent for running a tough race. Whether you voted for me or my opponent, I intend to resolutely and faithfully represent all of my constituents. Now that the election has been decided, it’s time to get to work for the people of the 8th Senate District and the people of Wisconsin.”
Knodl thanked his family and all the volunteers who worked for his campaign.
The 8th District includes parts of Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington, and Waukesha counties.
The seat has been under Republican control for decades but came open in November after longtime incumbent Alberta Darling chose to retire after 30 years in the Senate. Evers scheduled a special election to fill the position to coincide with the state's spring Supreme Court election.
The stakes are huge. A Knodl win gives Republicans 22 votes in the chamber, enough to override gubernatorial vetoes if the state Assembly also votes to do so and enough to convict civil officers in impeachment trials.
Knodl denied accusations from Habush Sinykin that he would vote to impeach Evers if elected. He said in an email to The Associated Press that he has had success working with the governor.
Jodi Habush Sinykin issued the following statement:
“I am incredibly proud of this campaign, which from day one was focused on bringing people together and authentically representing the 8th Senate District. Unfortunately, we fell just shy of bringing home a victory for progress and fair representation, and I have called Rep. Knodl to concede the race.”
“This has been an incredible journey. In just four short months, we put together a campaign that came within 2 points of flipping a district that was unfairly gerrymandered to elect Republicans in every election. The fight to continue moving Wisconsin forward is not over. and I look forward to continuing to advocate for a brighter and fairer future for Wisconsin.”
Supermajority in Wisconsin State Senate
By The Associated Press, April 5, 2023
Knodl’s victory gives Senate Republicans 22 votes in the 33-seat chamber. That’s enough to override a gubernatorial veto in that house. A successful override takes a two-thirds vote in the Senate and Assembly, however, and Assembly Republicans remain two seats shy of the 66 they need.
Knodl’s win also gives Senate Republicans enough votes to convict a civil officer, including the governor, other constitutional officers such as the attorney general and judges in impeachment trials. Knodl has said he probably would not support an attempt to impeach Evers.
The state constitution says civil officers can be impeached, including the governor, lieutenant governor and judges. A February analysis from the Legislative Reference Bureau concluded that other constitutional officers such as the attorney general and the state schools superintendent can be impeached as well.
Knodl has said he's not interested in impeaching Evers, saying he has been able to work with the governor. But he said he wants to impeach Milwaukee judges for being too lenient on criminal defendants. That list could include Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Janet Protasiewicz, he said. She won Tuesday's election to the Supreme Court and will take the seat in August.
Knodl also has his sights set on Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chilsholm. Republicans have criticized the Democratic prosecutor for years as too soft on crime. They've called for his job since he acknowledged his office's bail request for Darrell Brooks Jr. was far too low.
Chisholm's office requested a judge set bail at $1,000 for Brooks after he allegedly tried to run over his ex-girlfriend with his SUV in November 2021. The judge complied. Brooks posted the money and was released from jail. Days later he drove his SUV through a Christmas parade in Waukesha, a Republican stronghold. Six people were killed and dozens more were hurt.
Chisholm has said an assistant prosecutor handling Brooks' initial case never had access to his risk assessment and shouldn't have asked for such a low bail amount.
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