Marathon County saw several closely watched races decided on Tuesday, with Democrats winning two seats that drew attention across central Wisconsin, according to unofficial results.
In the 85th Assembly District, former Marathon County Board member John Kroll, a Democrat, defeated former radio host Patrick Snyder, a Republican, by roughly eight percentage points. The seat has not been held by a Democrat in more than a decade.
Weston resident Yee Leng Xiong, also a Democrat, was elected state treasurer. Xiong previously served on the Marathon County Board, the Weston Village Board and the D.C. Everest School Board, and won statewide even though Marathon County ballots favored his opponent by nearly 14 points.
Republicans held other major seats in the county. Michael Alfonso defeated Fred Clark in the 7th Congressional District, Cory Tomczyk defeated Gillian Battino in State Senate District 29, and John Spiros defeated Andy Wuethrich by a wide margin in the 86th Assembly District.
Voters also gave mixed answers on statewide referendum questions, approving measures on the governor's line-item veto authority over fees and taxes and on discrimination or preferential treatment in state programs, while rejecting a proposal on government-ordered closures or restrictions at places of worship during declared emergencies.
In county races, Sheriff Chad Billeb and Clerk of Courts Kelly Schremp both won re-election. Neither faced an opponent on the ballot. All results are unofficial until canvassed.
