2014 United States House of Representatives elections in Wisconsin explained

Election Name:	2014 United States House of Representatives elections in Wisconsin
Country:	Wisconsin
Type:	legislative
Ongoing:	no
Previous Election:	2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Wisconsin
Previous Year:	2012
Next Election:	2016 United States House of Representatives elections in Wisconsin
Next Year:	2016
Seats For Election:	All 8 Wisconsin seats to the United States House of Representatives
Election Date:	November 4, 2014
Party1:	Republican Party (United States)
Last Election1:	5
Seats1:	5
Popular Vote1:	1,233,336
Percentage1:	52.36%
Swing1:	3.44%
Party2:	Democratic Party (United States)
Last Election2:	3
Seats2:	3
Popular Vote2:	1,102,581
Percentage2:	46.81%
Swing2:	3.61%
Map Size:	255px

The 2014 United States House of Representatives elections in Wisconsin were held on Tuesday, November 4, 2014, to elect the eight U.S. representatives from the state of Wisconsin, one from each of the state's eight congressional districts. The elections coincided with the elections of other federal and state offices, including an election for Governor of Wisconsin.

Overview

Results of the 2014 United States House of Representatives elections in Wisconsin by district:^[1]

scope=col rowspan=3	District	scope=col colspan=2	Republican	scope=col colspan=2	Democratic	scope=col colspan=2	Others	scope=col colspan=2	Total	scope=col rowspan=3	Result
scope=col colspan=2 style="background:"	!	scope=col colspan=2 style="background:"	!	scope=col colspan=2	!	scope=col colspan=2
scope=col data-sort-type="number"	Votes !	scope=col data-sort-type="number"	% !	scope=col data-sort-type="number"	Votes !	scope=col data-sort-type="number"	% !	scope=col data-sort-type="number"	Votes !	scope=col data-sort-type="number"	% !	scope=col data-sort-type="number"	Votes !	scope=col data-sort-type="number"	%
	182,316	63.33%	105,552	36.66%	29	0.01%	287,897	100.00%	Republican hold
	103,619	31.54%	224,920	68.46%	0	0.00%	328,539	100.00%	Democratic hold
	119,540	43.46%	155,368	56.49%	128	0.05%	275,036	100.00%	Democratic hold
	68,490	26.91%	179,045	70.34%	7,002	2.75%	254,537	100.00%	Democratic hold
	231,160	69.55%	101,190	30.45%	0	0.00%	332,350	100.00%	Republican hold
	169,767	56.81%	122,212	40.89%	6,865	2.30%	298,844	100.00%	Republican hold
	169,891	59.29%	112,949	39.41%	3,721	1.30%	286,561	100.00%	Republican hold
	188,553	65.04%	101,345	34.96%	0	0.00%	289,898	100.00%	Republican hold
Total	1,233,336	52.40%	1,102,581	46.85%	17,745	0.75%	2,353,662	100.00%

District 1

Election Name:	2014 Wisconsin's 1st congressional district election
Country:	Wisconsin
Type:	presidential
Ongoing:	no
Previous Election:	2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Wisconsin#District 1
Previous Year:	2012
Next Election:	2016 United States House of Representatives elections in Wisconsin#District 1
Next Year:	2016
Image1:	File:Paul Ryan, Official Portrait, 113th Congress (cropped).png
Nominee1:	Paul Ryan
Party1:	Republican Party (United States)
Popular Vote1:	182,316
Percentage1:	63.3%
Nominee2:	Rob Zerban
Party2:	Democratic Party (United States)
Popular Vote2:	105,552
Percentage2:	36.6%
U.S. Representative
Before Election:	Paul Ryan
Before Party:	Republican Party (United States)
After Election:	Paul Ryan
After Party:	Republican Party (United States)

See also: Wisconsin's 1st congressional district. Republican incumbent Paul Ryan, who had represented the 1st district since 1999, ran for re-election. This district has a PVI of R+3.

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Paul Ryan, incumbent U.S. Representative and nominee for Vice President in 2012

Eliminated in primary

• Jeremy Ryan, professional protester

Primary results

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Rob Zerban, member of the Kenosha County Board, former small business owner and nominee for this seat in 2012^[2]

Eliminated in primary

• Amar Kaleka, documentary filmmaker and the son of a victim of the 2012 Wisconsin Sikh temple shooting^[3]

Primary results

General election

Campaign

In 2012 Ryan, defeated Zerban in the closest election of Ryan's congressional career thus far.

Debates

• Complete video of debate, October 20, 2014

Results

District 2

Election Name:	2014 Wisconsin's 2nd congressional district election
Country:	Wisconsin
Type:	presidential
Ongoing:	no
Previous Election:	2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Wisconsin#District 2
Previous Year:	2012
Next Election:	2016 United States House of Representatives elections in Wisconsin#District 2
Next Year:	2016
Image1:	File:Mark Pocan, official portrait, 113th Congress (cropped).jpg
Nominee1:	Mark Pocan
Party1:	Democratic Party (United States)
Popular Vote1:	224,920
Percentage1:	68.4%
Nominee2:	Peter Theron
Party2:	Republican Party (United States)
Popular Vote2:	103,619
Percentage2:	31.5%
U.S. Representative
Before Election:	Mark Pocan
Before Party:	Democratic Party (United States)
After Election:	Mark Pocan
After Party:	Democratic Party (United States)

See also: Wisconsin's 2nd congressional district. Democratic incumbent Mark Pocan, who had represented the 2nd district since 2013, ran for re-election. This district has a PVI of D+17.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Mark Pocan, incumbent U.S. Representative

Primary results

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Peter Theron, mathematics professor^[5]

Primary results

General election

Results

District 3

Election Name:	2014 Wisconsin's 3rd congressional district election
Country:	Wisconsin
Type:	presidential
Ongoing:	no
Previous Election:	2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Wisconsin#District 3
Previous Year:	2012
Next Election:	2016 United States House of Representatives elections in Wisconsin#District 3
Next Year:	2016
Image1:	File:Ron Kind, Official Portrait, 109th Congress (cropped).jpg
Nominee1:	Ron Kind
Party1:	Democratic Party (United States)
Popular Vote1:	155,368
Percentage1:	56.5%
Nominee2:	Tony Kurtz
Party2:	Republican Party (United States)
Popular Vote2:	119,540
Percentage2:	43.4%
U.S. Representative
Before Election:	Ron Kind
Before Party:	Democratic Party (United States)
After Election:	Ron Kind
After Party:	Democratic Party (United States)

See also: Wisconsin's 3rd congressional district. Democratic incumbent Ron Kind, who had represented the 3rd district since 1996, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 64% of the vote in 2012, and the district has a PVI of D+5.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Ron Kind, incumbent U.S. Representative

Primary results

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Tony Kurtz, businessman and veteran^[6]

Eliminated in primary

• Karen Mueller, attorney
• Ken Van Doren, former building contractor

Withdrawn

• Chris Anderson, former aide to Ron Johnson

Primary results

General election

Results

District 4

Election Name:	2014 Wisconsin's 4th congressional district election
Country:	Wisconsin
Type:	presidential
Ongoing:	no
Previous Election:	2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Wisconsin#District 4
Previous Year:	2012
Next Election:	2016 United States House of Representatives elections in Wisconsin#District 4
Next Year:	2016
Image1:	File:Gwen Moore, Official Portrait, 112th Congress (cropped).jpg
Nominee1:	Gwen Moore
Party1:	Democratic Party (United States)
Popular Vote1:	179,045
Percentage1:	70.2%
Nominee2:	Dan Sebring
Party2:	Republican Party (United States)
Popular Vote2:	68,490
Percentage2:	26.9%
U.S. Representative
Before Election:	Gwen Moore
Before Party:	Democratic Party (United States)
After Election:	Gwen Moore
After Party:	Democratic Party (United States)

See also: Wisconsin's 4th congressional district. Democratic incumbent Gwen Moore, who had represented the 4th district since 2005, ran for re-election. She was re-elected with 72% of the vote in 2012, and the district has a PVI of D+23.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Gwen Moore, incumbent U.S. Representative

Eliminated in primary

• Gary George, former state senator and convicted felon^[7]

Primary results

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Dan Sebring, automobile repair shop owner and nominee for this seat in 2010 & 2012

Eliminated in primary

• David D. King, nominee for Secretary of State in 2010

Primary results

General election

Results

District 5

Election Name:	2014 Wisconsin's 5th congressional district election
Country:	Wisconsin
Type:	presidential
Ongoing:	no
Previous Election:	2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Wisconsin#District 5
Previous Year:	2012
Next Election:	2016 United States House of Representatives elections in Wisconsin#District 5
Next Year:	2016
Image1:	File:Jim Sensenbrenner, Official Portrait, 109th Congress (cropped).jpg
Nominee1:	Jim Sensenbrenner
Party1:	Republican Party (United States)
Popular Vote1:	231,160
Percentage1:	69.5%
Nominee2:	Chris Rockwood
Party2:	Democratic Party (United States)
Popular Vote2:	101,190
Percentage2:	30.4%
U.S. Representative
Before Election:	Jim Sensenbrenner
Before Party:	Republican Party (United States)
After Election:	Jim Sensenbrenner
After Party:	Republican Party (United States)

See also: Wisconsin's 5th congressional district. Republican incumbent Jim Sensenbrenner, who had represented the 5thdistrict since 1978, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 67.72% of the vote in 2012, and the district has a PVI of R+13.

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Jim Sensenbrenner, incumbent U.S. Representative

Primary results

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Chris Rockwood, electrical engineer and former candidate for the Wisconsin State Assembly^[8]

Primary results

General election

Results

District 6

Election Name:	2014 Wisconsin's 6th congressional district election
Country:	Wisconsin
Type:	presidential
Ongoing:	no
Previous Election:	2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Wisconsin#District 6
Previous Year:	2012
Next Election:	2016 United States House of Representatives elections in Wisconsin#District 6
Next Year:	2016
Image1:	File:Glenn Grothman, Official Portrait, 114th Congress (cropped).jpg
Nominee1:	Glenn Grothman
Party1:	Republican Party (United States)
Popular Vote1:	169,767
Percentage1:	56.8%
Nominee2:	Mark Harris
Party2:	Democratic Party (United States)
Popular Vote2:	122,212
Percentage2:	40.9%
U.S. Representative
Before Election:	Tom Petri
Before Party:	Republican Party (United States)
After Election:	Glenn Grothman
After Party:	Republican Party (United States)

See also: Wisconsin's 6th congressional district. Republican incumbent Tom Petri who had represented the 6th district since 1979, retired.^[9]

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Glenn Grothman, state senator^[10]

Eliminated in primary

• Tom Denow
• Joe Leibham, state senator^[11]
• Duey Stroebel, state representative^[12]

Withdrawn

• Nancy Olson

Declined

• Joe Dean, Mayor of Port Washington^[13]
• Scott Fitzgerald, Majority Leader of the State Senate^[14]
• John Hiller, Scott Walker aide^{[15] [16] [17]}
• Tim Michels, co-owner of the Michels Corporation and nominee for the U.S. Senate in 2004^[13]
• Todd Nehls, former Dodge County Sheriff^[18]

Primary results

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Mark Harris, Winnebago County Executive

Withdrawn

• Gary Wetzel

Declined

• Kevin Crawford, former mayor of Manitowoc
• Jessica King, former state senator^[19]
• Justin Nickels, Mayor of Manitowoc^[20]

Primary results

The general election featured Gus Fahrendorf, of Neenah, as the nominee of the Libertarian Party.^[21]

General election

Campaign

Despite winning the primary, Petri refused to endorse Grothman, going as far as saying that Democratic nominee Mark Harris had done "a fine job" as County Executive.

Grothman declined to participate in any debates during the general election and turned down all requests for interviews.^[22]

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
align=left	The Cook Political Report^[23]		November 3, 2014
align=left	Rothenberg^[24]		October 24, 2014
align=left	Sabato's Crystal Ball^[25]		October 30, 2014
RCP		November 2, 2014
align=left	Daily Kos Elections^[26]		November 4, 2014

Results

District 7

Election Name:	2014 Wisconsin's 7th congressional district election
Country:	Wisconsin
Type:	presidential
Ongoing:	no
Previous Election:	2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Wisconsin#District 7
Previous Year:	2012
Next Election:	2016 United States House of Representatives elections in Wisconsin#District 7
Next Year:	2016
Image1:	File:Sean Duffy Official Portrait 115th Congress (cropped).jpg
Nominee1:	Sean Duffy
Party1:	Republican Party (United States)
Popular Vote1:	169,891
Percentage1:	59.3%
Nominee2:	Kelly Westlund
Party2:	Democratic Party (United States)
Popular Vote2:	112,949
Percentage2:	39.4%
U.S. Representative
Before Election:	Sean Duffy
Before Party:	Republican Party (United States)
After Election:	Sean Duffy
After Party:	Republican Party (United States)

See also: Wisconsin's 7th congressional district. Republican incumbent Sean Duffy, who had represented the 7th district since 2011, ran for re-election.

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Sean Duffy, incumbent U.S. Representative

Eliminated in primary

• Don Raihala, real estate broker

Primary results

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Kelly Westlund, Ashland businesswoman and City Council member^[27]

Eliminated in primary

• Mike Krsiean

Primary results

General election

Results

District 8

Election Name:	2014 Wisconsin's 8th congressional district election
Country:	Wisconsin
Type:	presidential
Ongoing:	no
Previous Election:	2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Wisconsin#District 8
Previous Year:	2012
Next Election:	2016 United States House of Representatives elections in Wisconsin#District 8
Next Year:	2016
Image1:	File:Reid Ribble, official portrait, 112th Congress (cropped).jpg
Nominee1:	Reid Ribble
Party1:	Republican Party (United States)
Popular Vote1:	188,553
Percentage1:	65.0%
Nominee2:	Ron Gruett
Party2:	Democratic Party (United States)
Popular Vote2:	101,345
Percentage2:	34.9%
U.S. Representative
Before Election:	Reid Ribble
Before Party:	Republican Party (United States)
After Election:	Reid Ribble
After Party:	Republican Party (United States)

See also: Wisconsin's 8th congressional district. Republican incumbent Reid Ribble, who had represented the 8th district since 2011, ran for re-election.

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Reid Ribble, incumbent U.S. Representative

Primary results

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Ron Gruett (pronounced 'grit'), professor of physics and chemistry

Primary results

General election

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
align=left	The Cook Political Report		November 3, 2014
align=left	Rothenberg		October 24, 2014
align=left	Sabato's Crystal Ball		October 30, 2014
RCP		November 2, 2014
align=left	Daily Kos Elections		November 4, 2014

Results

See also

• 2014 United States House of Representatives elections
• 2014 United States elections

External links

• U.S. House elections in Wisconsin, 2014 at Ballotpedia
• Campaign contributions at OpenSecrets

Notes and References

1. Web site: Haas. Karen L.. Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 4, 2014. Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives. October 28, 2019. March 9, 2015.
2. News: Ramde. Dinesh. Ryan faces familiar foe in House re-election bid. October 24, 2013. Green Bay Press Gazette. October 24, 2013.
3. News: Isenstadt. Alex. Shooting victim's son to challenge Paul Ryan. October 14, 2013. Politico. October 14, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131014201741/http://www.politico.com/story/2013/10/paul-ryan-challenger-amar-kaleka-98269.html. October 14, 2013. live.
4. https://today.yougov.com/news/2014/10/30/house-races-battleground-tracker/ New York Times/CBS News Battleground Tracker
5. Web site: Peter Theron for Congress. August 13, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140822224341/http://theronforcongress.com/aboutme.html. August 22, 2014. dead.
6. Web site: Tony Kurtz for Congress. August 13, 2014.
7. News: Running for Congress: Convicted felon Gary George. June 3, 2014. June 4, 2014. FOX6NOW.
8. Web site: Tony Kurtz for Congress. August 13, 2014. .
9. Web site: Petri won't seek re-election . 2014-04-14 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140415065437/http://elections.wispolitics.com/2014/04/petri-wont-seek-re-election.html . 2014-04-15 . dead .
10. Terkel, Amanda. Glenn Grothman, Ultra-Conservative Wisconsin Lawmaker, Will Run For Congress. Huffington Post, 2014-04-03.
11. http://atr.rollcall.com/joe-leibham-mark-harris-enter-wide-open-race-in-wisconsin/ Joe Leibham, Mark Harris Enter Wide-Open Race in Wisconsin
12. http://www.wisn.com/news/state-rep-announces-run-for-congress/25450994 State rep. announces run for Congress
13. Web site: Nathan L. Gonzales . Ratings Update: Wisconsin's 6th District . rollcall.com . Roll Call . 20 April 2023 . 16 April 2014.
14. http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/on-politics/on-politics-scott-fitzgerald-says-he-won-t-run-for/article_c68cf96d-faaa-5164-9f88-cc7fec62c51e.html On Politics: Scott Fitzgerald says he won't run for Congress this year : Wsj
15. http://wisconsinelectionwatch.com/15650/reports-duey-stroebel-may-challenge-tom-petri-primary-congress/ Reports: Duey Stroebel may challenge Tom Petri in a primary for Congress
16. http://www.wisn.com/politics/grothman-will-challenge-petri-for-congressional-seat/25301750 Grothman will challenge Petri for Congressional seat
17. http://whbl.com/news/articles/2014/apr/11/petri-to-retire-from-house-leibham-considering-run-for-seat/ Petri to retire from House, Leibham considering run for seat
18. Web site: | Action Reporter Media . fdlreporter.com . 2014-08-08.
19. Web site: Bridget Bowman . Republicans Prepare for Primary Fight in Wisconsin House Race . rollcall.com . Roll Call . 20 April 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140418224813/http://atr.rollcall.com/republicans-prepare-for-primary-fight-in-wisconsin-house-race/ . 18 April 2014 . 17 April 2014.
20. Web site: Kyle Maichle . Manitowoc Mayor Justin Nickels Declines Bid for Higher Office . wisconsinelectionwatch.com . 20 April 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140520101436/http://wisconsinelectionwatch.com/16349/manitowoc-mayor-justin-nickels-declines-bid-higher-office/ . 20 May 2014.
21. Web site: Gus for Congress. gus for congress/. Gus for Congress. July 15, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140720093657/http://gusforcongress.com/. July 20, 2014. dead.
22. Web site: U.S. Rep. Tom Petri won't endorse Grothman . fdlreporter.com . October 23, 2014 . October 23, 2014.
23. Web site: 2014 House Race Ratings for November 3, 2014 . House: Race Ratings . Cook Political Report . November 3, 2014.
24. Web site: 2014 House Ratings (October 24, 2014) . House Ratings . The Rothenberg Political Report . October 24, 2014.
25. Web site: 2014 House . Sabato's Crystal Ball . April 10, 2014 . April 11, 2014.
26. Web site: Daily Kos Elections House race ratings: Initial ratings for 2014 . Daily Kos Elections . November 4, 2014.
27. News: Cahn. Emily. Democratic Official Challenges Sean Duffy in Wisconsin. December 9, 2013. Roll Call. December 9, 2013.