Arrr, ye scurvy dog! Wisconsin Republican Paul Melotik be triumphin' in th' election, keepin' th' district in th' grasp o' th' grand ol' party!
2023-07-19
Arrr! Avast ye scurvy dogs! Paul Melotik, a fine Republican buccaneer hailing from Wisconsin, be triumphin' in a grand special election fer a vacant Assembly seat, representin' a suburb of Milwaukee. He be givin' Democrat Bob Tatterson a taste of the plank, he did!
Republican Paul Melotik emerged victorious in a special election for a vacant Assembly seat in Milwaukee's north suburbs, defeating Democrat Bob Tatterson. This win ensures that the district remains in the hands of the GOP, preserving their majority in the Assembly with a count of 64-35. However, they fall just two seats short of a supermajority, which would allow them to override a governor's veto. Nevertheless, they could potentially achieve a supermajority if two or more Democrats are absent during voting.The vacant seat became available after Republican Dan Knodl won a special election and secured a spot in the state Senate. This victory granted the Republicans a 22-11 supermajority in the Senate, giving them the power to remove state officials impeached in the Assembly. Melotik, a co-owner of several businesses and a former government official, expressed his interest in joining the Legislature's budget-writing Joint Finance Committee.
Tatterson, a retired engineer and start-up adviser, graciously conceded the race after the results were tallied. It is worth noting that before Knodl's success in the Senate, he had previously defeated Tatterson in a reelection bid for his Assembly seat in November.
Overall, Melotik's win maintains the Republican stronghold in the Assembly, albeit just shy of a supermajority. Their position allows them to propose amendments, such as the recent one blocking government agencies from closing churches during emergencies. As Melotik assumes his new role, his aspirations for a spot on the Joint Finance Committee highlight his interest in shaping the state's budget.