While race results were tight for the first few hours, state Rep. Paul Farrow took a late – but large – lead in the 33rd State Senate primary election over state Rep. Chris Kapenga.
While final results were not in as of 1 a.m. Wednesday, Kapenga conceded to Farrow.
“It was a well-fought campaign on both sides,” Farrow said. “It was a good race.”
With 76 percent of votes reporting as of 1:10 a.m., Farrow had 27,449 votes – leading by 2,397 votes – compared to Kapenga’s 25,052 votes. Results are unofficial until canvassing.
The regular election will be held Dec. 4, but no Democratic challenger will be on the ballot, which effectively makes Farrow the winner pending any write-in candidates.
Farrow and Kapenga were running for the 33rd Senate District seat that was vacated earlier this year by former Sen. Rich Zipperer. Zipperer was appointed as the deputy chief of staff and senior counsel for Gov. Scott Walker in July.
Both candidates also were on the ballot in their respective Assembly districts, and Farrow was elected to the 98th District, while Kapenga secured his re-election to the 99th District. Both have served one year in the Assembly.
Farrow said he looks forward to working with Kapenga on the issues affecting the district. The close election shows how Kapenga’s represented his voters in the 99th District, Farrow said.
Kapenga thanked his supporters for his re-election to the Assembly.
"I also want to congratulate Paul Farrow in his win in the 33rd state Senate District Republican primary," Kapenga said. "I look forward to continuing my service with him in the state legislature as we work together to make Wisconsin a better place to live and work."
A special election will need to be held for the 98th Assembly District.
