Wisconsin's 85th Assembly district explained

Image Caption:2024 map defined in
2022 map defined in Johnson v. Wisconsin Elections Commission
2011 map was defined in
Chamber:Assembly
State:Wisconsin
District:85
Representative:Patrick Snyder
Residence:Schofield
Party:Republican
Incumbentsince:January 3, 2017 (years)
Population:59,110
Population Year:2020
Voting Age:45,970
Percent White:83.57
Percent Black:1.88
Percent Hispanic:2.71
Percent Asian:9.3
Percent Native American:1.97
Percent Pacific Islander:0.12
Website:Official website
Notes:Wausau, Wisconsin

The 85th Assembly District of Wisconsin is one of 99 districts in the Wisconsin State Assembly.[1] Located in north-central Wisconsin, the district is entirely contained within Marathon County. It includes the city of Wausau and the village of Weston.[2] The district is represented by Republican Patrick Snyder, since January 2017.[3] After the 2024 redistricting, Snyder no longer resides in the new 85th district.

The 85th Assembly District is located within Wisconsin's 29th Senate district, along with the 86th and 87th Assembly districts.[4]

History

The district was created in the 1972 redistricting act (1971 Wisc. Act 304) which first established the numbered district system, replacing the previous system which allocated districts to specific counties.[5] The 85th district was drawn almost exactly in line with the previous Marathon County 2nd district (the cities of Wausau and Schofield, and north-central Marathon County. The last representative of the Marathon County 2nd district, Tony Earl, went on to win the 1972 election as the first representative of the 85th Assembly district.[6] The district has remained in the same vicinity, centered on Wausau and Schofield, in the various redistricting schemes since 1972, with the exception of the 1982 court-ordered plan which temporarily moved the district to eastern Waupaca County. The 2011 redistricting act was the most significant change to the boundaries of the district since 1982, maintaining Wausau and Schofield in the district, but shifting away from the north-central towns of Marathon County to encompass more of the rural eastern half of the county.

The 2024 redistricting swapped out Schofield and a number of towns in favor of the neighboring village of Weston. Under the new map, the 85th district is projected to be one of the most competitive districts in the state legislature.

Notable former representatives of the 85th district include Tony Earl, who was later elected the 41st Governor of Wisconsin, and Gregory Huber, who was later appointed as a Wisconsin circuit court judge by Governor Jim Doyle and is now the current chief judge for the 9th judicial administrative district of Wisconsin.

List of past representatives

List of representatives to the Wisconsin State Assembly from the 85th district!Member!Party!Residence!Counties represented!Term start!Term end!Ref.
District sreated
Tony EarlDem.WausauMarathon
Edward F. McClainDem.WausauJanuary 5, 1981
John H. RobinsonDem.WausauJanuary 5, 1981January 3, 1983
Rep.ClintonvilleOutagamie, Waupaca, WinnebagoJanuary 3, 1983January 7, 1985
John H. RobinsonDem.WausauMarathonJanuary 7, 1985May 23, 1988
--Vacant--May 23, 1988January 2, 1989
Gregory HuberDem.WausauJanuary 2, 1989May 31, 2004
--Vacant--Marathon, ShawanoMay 31, 2004January 3, 2005
Donna J. SeidelDem.WausauJanuary 3, 2005January 7, 2013
Mandy WrightDem.WausauMarathonJanuary 7, 2013 January 5, 2015[7]
David HeatonRep.WausauJanuary 5, 2015January 3, 2017[8]
Patrick SnyderRep.SchofieldJanuary 3, 2017Current

Electoral history

Year DateElectedDefeatedTotalPluralityOther primary candidates
1972[9] Democratic14,432100.0%14,43214,432
1974[10] Democratic7,03850.01%Rep.7,03449.99%14,0724
1976[11] Democratic12,55362.83%Rep.7,42737.17%19,9805,126
1978[12] Democratic9,24154.91%Rep.7,58845.09%16,8291,653
1980[13] Democratic11,02651.49%Rep.10,38748.51%21,413639
1982[14] Francis R. ByersRepublican9,21370.76%Dem.3,80729.24%13,0205,406
1984[15] Democratic13,45260.79%Rep.8,67839.21%22,1304,774
1986[16] Democratic10,86863.39%Rep.6,27836.61%17,1464,590
1988[17] Democratic10,59550.48%Rep.10,39249.52%20,987203
1990[18] Democratic9,78557.30%Rep.7,29142.70%17,0762,494
1992[19] Democratic16,211100.0%16,21116,211
1994[20] Democratic10,44665.23%Rep.5,56834.77%16,0144,878
1996[21] Democratic14,62870.44%Rep.6,13929.56%20,7678,489
1998[22] Democratic9,87359.22%Rep.6,80040.78%16,6733,073
2000[23] Democratic13,69262.26%Rep.8,29737.73%21,9925,395
2002[24] Democratic14,07999.78%14,11014,048
2004[25] Democratic15,66657.29%Rep.11,66742.67%27,3453,999
2006[26] Democratic12,80264.55%Rep.7,02535.42%19,8325,777
2008[27] Democratic16,97564.08%Rep.9,48735.81%26,4897,488
2010[28] Democratic10,29852.53%Rep.8,46043.15%19,6041,838
Lib.8304.23%
2012[29] Democratic13,93049.70%Rep.13,02546.47%28,026905Jeff Johnson (Dem.)
Ind.1,0473.74%
2014[30] Republican11,16750.19%Dem.11,08249.81%22,24985
2016[31] Republican14,72253.35%Dem.12,83746.52%27,5941,885
2018[32] Republican13,79155.25%Dem.11,15044.67%24,9622,641
2020[33] Republican16,59955.09%Dem.13,51544.85%30,1323,084
2022[34] Republican13,68956.2%Dem.10,65943.76%24,3583,030

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Assembly District 85 . . February 5, 2021 .
  2. Web site: Wisconsin Legislative Districts - Assembly District 85 Boundaries . . February 5, 2021 .
  3. Web site: Representative Patrick Snyder . . February 5, 2021.
  4. An Act ... relating to: legislative redistricting . Act . 94 . 2023 . . February 23, 2024 .
  5. The state of Wisconsin 1973 Blue Book . 1973 . State of Wisconsin . Theobald . H. Rupert . Robbins . Patricia V. . . Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau . https://images.library.wisc.edu/WI/EFacs/WIBlueBks/BlueBks/WIBlueBk1973/reference/wi.wibluebk1973.i0011.pdf . Legislature . 227–230 . April 3, 2021 .
  6. The state of Wisconsin 1973 Blue Book . State of Wisconsin . 1972 . Theobald . H. Rupert . Robbins . Patricia V. . https://images.library.wisc.edu/WI/EFacs/WIBlueBks/BlueBks/WIBlueBk1973/reference/wi.wibluebk1973.i0007.pdf . Biographies . 78 . April 3, 2021 .
  7. Web site: Representative Mandy Wright . . February 5, 2021 .
  8. Web site: Representative David Heaton . . February 5, 2021 .
  9. The state of Wisconsin 1973 Blue Book . Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau . Theobald . H. Rupert . Robbins . Patricia V. . State of Wisconsin . 1973 . . https://images.library.wisc.edu/WI/EFacs/WIBlueBks/BlueBks/WIBlueBk1973/reference/wi.wibluebk1973.i0016.pdf . Elections . 810, 828 . April 3, 2021.
  10. The state of Wisconsin 1975 Blue Book . Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau . Theobald . H. Rupert . Robbins . Patricia V. . State of Wisconsin . 1975 . . https://images.library.wisc.edu/WI/EFacs/WIBlueBks/BlueBks/WIBlueBk1975/reference/wi.wibluebk1975.i0016.pdf . Elections . 810, 831 . April 3, 2021.
  11. The state of Wisconsin 1977 Blue Book . Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau . Theobald . H. Rupert . Robbins . Patricia V. . State of Wisconsin . 1977 . . https://images.library.wisc.edu/WI/EFacs/WIBlueBks/BlueBks/WIBlueBk1977/reference/wi.wibluebk1977.i0016.pdf . Elections . 894, 916 . April 3, 2021.
  12. The state of Wisconsin 1979-1980 Blue Book . Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau . Theobald . H. Rupert . Robbins . Patricia V. . State of Wisconsin . 1979 . . https://images.library.wisc.edu/WI/EFacs/WIBlueBks/BlueBks/WIBlueBk1979/reference/wi.wibluebk1979.i0016.pdf . Elections . 908, 926 . April 3, 2021.
  13. The state of Wisconsin 1981-1982 Blue Book . Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau . Theobald . H. Rupert . Robbins . Patricia V. . State of Wisconsin . 1981 . . https://images.library.wisc.edu/WI/EFacs/WIBlueBks/BlueBks/WIBlueBk1981/reference/wi.wibluebk1981.i0016.pdf . Elections . 896, 917 . April 3, 2021.
  14. The state of Wisconsin 1983-1984 Blue Book . Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau . Theobald . H. Rupert . Robbins . Patricia V. . State of Wisconsin . 1983 . . https://images.library.wisc.edu/WI/EFacs/WIBlueBks/BlueBks/WIBlueBk1983/reference/wi.wibluebk1983.i0016.pdf . Elections . 891, 912 . April 3, 2021.
  15. The state of Wisconsin 1985-1986 Blue Book . Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau . Theobald . H. Rupert . Robbins . Patricia V. . State of Wisconsin . 1985 . . https://images.library.wisc.edu/WI/EFacs/WIBlueBks/BlueBks/WIBlueBk1985/reference/wi.wibluebk1985.i0016.pdf . Elections . 909, 927 . April 3, 2021.
  16. The state of Wisconsin 1987-1988 Blue Book . Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau . Theobald . H. Rupert . Barish . Lawrence S. . State of Wisconsin . 1987 . . https://images.library.wisc.edu/WI/EFacs/WIBlueBks/BlueBks/WIBlueBk1987/reference/wi.wibluebk1987.i0016.pdf . Elections . 890, 908 . April 3, 2021.
  17. State of Wisconsin 1989-1990 Blue Book . Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau . Theobald . H. Rupert . Barish . Lawrence S. . State of Wisconsin . 1989 . . https://images.library.wisc.edu/WI/EFacs/WIBlueBks/BlueBks/WIBlueBk1989/reference/wi.wibluebk1989.i0016.pdf . Elections . 912, 927 . April 3, 2021.
  18. State of Wisconsin 1991-1992 Blue Book . Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau . Theobald . H. Rupert . Barish . Lawrence S. . State of Wisconsin . 1991 . . https://images.library.wisc.edu/WI/EFacs/WIBlueBks/BlueBks/WIBlueBk1991/reference/wi.wibluebk1991.i0016.pdf . Elections . 901, 917 . April 3, 2021.
  19. State of Wisconsin 1993-1994 Blue Book . Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau . Theobald . H. Rupert . Barish . Lawrence S. . State of Wisconsin . 1993 . . https://images.library.wisc.edu/WI/EFacs/WIBlueBks/BlueBks/WIBlueBk1993/reference/wi.wibluebk1993.i0016.pdf . Elections . 906, 923 . April 3, 2021.
  20. State of Wisconsin 1995-1996 Blue Book . Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau . Barish . Lawrence S. . State of Wisconsin . 1995 . . https://images.library.wisc.edu/WI/EFacs/WIBlueBks/BlueBks/WIBlueBk1995/reference/wi.wibluebk1995.i0017.pdf . Elections . 905, 923 . April 3, 2021.
  21. State of Wisconsin 1997-1998 Blue Book . Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau . Barish . Lawrence S. . State of Wisconsin . 1997 . . https://images.library.wisc.edu/WI/EFacs/WIBlueBks/BlueBks/WIBlueBk1997/reference/wi.wibluebk1997.i0017.pdf . Elections . 901, 905 . April 3, 2021.
  22. State of Wisconsin 1999-2000 Blue Book . Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau . Barish . Lawrence S. . Meloy . Patricia E. . State of Wisconsin . 1999 . . https://images.library.wisc.edu/WI/EFacs/WIBlueBks/BlueBks/WIBlueBk1999/reference/wi.wibluebk1999.i0017.pdf . Elections . 881, 884 . April 3, 2021.
  23. Results of Fall General Election - 11/07/2000 . Wisconsin State Elections Board . May 10, 2001 . 38 . April 3, 2021 .
  24. Results of Fall General Election - 11/05/2002 . Wisconsin State Elections Board . December 2, 2002 . 39 . April 3, 2021 .
  25. Results of Fall General Election - 11/02/2004 . Wisconsin State Elections Board . December 1, 2004 . 40 . April 3, 2021.
  26. Results of Fall General Election - 11/07/2006 . Wisconsin State Elections Board . December 5, 2006 . 39 . April 3, 2021.
  27. Results of Fall General Election - 11/04/2008 . Wisconsin State Elections Board . December 1, 2008 . 37 . April 3, 2021.
  28. 2010 Fall General Election Results Summary.pdf . . December 1, 2010 . 29 . April 3, 2021.
  29. Canvass Results for 2012 Presidential and General Election - 11/6/2012 . . December 26, 2012 . 29 . April 3, 2021.
  30. Canvass Results for 2014 General Election - 11/4/2014 . . November 26, 2014 . 28 . April 3, 2021.
  31. Canvass Results for 2016 General Election - 11/8/2016 . . December 22, 2016 . 28 . April 3, 2021.
  32. Canvass Results for 2018 General Election - 11/6/2018 . . February 22, 2019 . 29 . April 3, 2021.
  33. Canvass Results for 2020 General Election - 11/3/2020 . . November 18, 2020 . 28 . April 3, 2021.
  34. Canvass Results for 2022 General Election - 11/8/2022 . . November 30, 2022 . 28 . December 1, 2022 .

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