tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34237728.post-1162973340379525962006-11-08T01:48:00.000-06:002006-11-08T02:59:23.120-06:00Assembly Dems were poised to knock off four Republican incumbents early this morning and had a shot at a fifth.<br /><br />In the 49th AD, Dem challenger Phil Garthwaite was poised to win with 52 percent of the vote over incumbent Republican Gabe Loeffelholz and 97 percent of precincts in.<br /><br />In the 51st district, Dem Steve Hilgenberg had 53 percent of the vote over Speaker Pro Tempore Stephen Freese with 99 percent of the vote in.<br /><br />Dem Jim Soletski beat incumbent Republican Judy Krawczyk in the 88th Assembly District in the Green Bay area. Soletski received 8,927 votes to 8,849 for Krawczyk, according to unofficial returns.<br /><br />Dem Jeff Smith knocked off Republican incumbent Rob Kreibich with 51 percent of the vote and 100 percent of precincts in for the Eau Claire seat, according to unofficial returns.<br /><br />In the 28th, Ann Hraychuck had 51 percent of the vote with 88 percent of precincts reporting over incumbent Republican Mark Pettis.<br /><br />The 28th District was one of six WisPolitics rated as toss ups heading into the election. The other three were in the lean Republican category.<br /><br />Dems won two of the other five toss ups and was leading in another early this morning.<br /><br />Republicans won one of the toss up seats and were leading in a second early this morning.<br /><br />Several races were also much closer than expected.<br /><br />Unofficial results indicate that GOP Rep. Debi Towns retained the 43rd Assembly Seat by six votes over Dem Kim Hixson. Towns received 10,271 votes, while Hixson received 10,265.<br /><br />Incumbent Republican Eugene Hahn fended off Dem challenger Meagan Yost in the 47th AD to gain reelection by an 154-vote margin. Unoffical results list 12,088 votes for Hahn, with 11,934 for Yost with all precincts reporting.<br /><br />If Dem leads early this morning hold up, the party could pick up eight seats in the Assembly, which would leave Republicans in the majority, 52-47. Republicans had a 58-39 lead going into the election with two open seats that had been held by the GOP.<br /><br /><i>-- By JR Ross</i>JR Rosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16566590098252363441noreply@blogger.com