A split result: First time since 1998 candidates from different parties win Senate, governor race

 

MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Democratic Governor Tony Evers and Republican Senator Ron Johnson both secured victories on Election Day in what was an unusual midterm outcome in Wisconsin politics.

It was the first time in 24 years that two parties split at the top of the ticket. That hasn't happened in the battleground state since 1998 when Republican Governor Tommy Thompson won his fourth term and Democrat Russ Feingold secured his second term for U.S. Senate.

While the victories are historic, it also means not much will change in Wisconsin politics. Evers securing a second term ensures another four years of gridlock with the GOP-controlled Legislature and voters will also send Sen. Johnson back to Congress for a third term.

Which party controls the U.S. Senate for the next two years is still on the line, but until those results are tallied, Wisconsin will maintain the status quo.

So how did this happen? Evers received 48,127 more votes than his former Lt. Governor and Senate candidate Mandela Barnes.

"I've been trying to wrap my arms around that there are people in Wisconsin that voted for me and voted for Ron Johnson," Evers said during an event at Madison's Georgia O’Keeffe Middle School Wednesday. "

One possible scenario of split-ticketed voting is that voters prefer divided government to one-party control, therefore backing Evers, yet supportive of Johnson's platform which consisted of running against the economy and Biden's low favorability numbers.

Split-ticket voting is significant, not only because it's rare, but because it occurred during a time our nation is very polarized. However, there were indicators this could happen leading up to the election.

Evers and Johnson both led in multiple polls conducted by Marquette Law School, a sign that Wisconsin could see elect a Democrat and Republican at the top of the ticket.

Evers also broke historic trends by becoming Wisconsin's first governor in more than 30 years to win when his party held the presidency.