Wisconsin goes purple, voters weigh in on split state

Republicans and Democrats both won and lost major races in the 2022 election

Republicans and Democrats both won and lost major Wisconsin races in the 2022 elections.

Outlets project Democrat Governor Tony Evers to keep his spot over Republican Tim Michels, while Democrat U.S. Senate candidate Mandela Barnes fell short to Republican Senator Ron Johnson.

It solidified Wisconsin’s color – purple.

“The state is really purple, it’s one of the things I really like about the state,” Wauwatosa voter Jayme Birken told WISN 12 News. “But I do regret it’s not as mixed as we used to be. There was a lot on the line.”

And there were a lot of people in it. Wauwatosa voters waited in hours-long lines to vote Tuesday. The Wauwatosa Clerk told 12 News they had a near 80 percent voter turnout.

“By the time I stepped out and finished voting the line was like out the door, wrapping around the building,” voter Alyssa Sanchez-Morris said. “It shows me that a lot of people wanted to vote and make sure their concerns were being heard.”

Overall, it appeared most voters weren’t entirely happy, or completely upset by the results.

“Well, that’s the whole country everywhere, very split,” said Wauwatosa voter Natalie Werstein. “I’m really pleased that Tony Evers won; I am keeping my fingers crossed on Mandela Barnes.”

It was a close race, but outlets called Johnson as the winner over Barnes around 10:30 a.m.

“I was very down. I was expecting it to be a lot different. I was expecting a red wave, and it was kind of a trickle,” said voter Christine Zuleger. “Ron Johnson is going to go back to the Senate and I’m happy about that. So, you know you persevere!”