Gov. Jim Doyle, a Democrat, said predictions that Republicans would win enough seats in the Legislature to have veto-proof control fell “far short.”
With election over, politicians now need to work together
State lawmakers will have to search for a middle ground
By Ben Jones
P-C Madison bureau chief
MADISON – With the 2004 election in the rearview mirror, state and federal lawmakers are sizing up the task of working with their political opponents.
Republicans expanded their majority in Congress on Tuesday by picking up four seats each in the House and Senate.
In Wisconsin, Republicans also grew their majority in the state Legislature, winning a seat in both the Assembly and Senate.
Gov. Jim Doyle, a Democrat, said predictions that Republicans would win enough seats in the Legislature to have veto-proof control fell “far short.”
That would require a two-thirds majority, or 22 seats in the Senate and 66 seats in the Assembly.
“As far as state government goes, we are very much where we have been. The margins are just about exactly where they were last time,” Doyle said. “When we work together, and work in the center, and work on issues that are really important to all of us … we are going to do very well.”
State Sen. Mike Ellis, R-Neenah, whose post was not in play this election, said the closeness of the presidential contest in Wisconsin — Sen. John Kerry won by four-tenths of 1 percent over President Bush — shows that the state is evenly divided.
Ellis said the relationship between the Legislature’s Republican leadership and Doyle needs to improve.
“I think the people want us to stop the partisan bickering and find real solutions to real problems,” Ellis said.
He said this will require both sides to come together.
“The governor has got to show a little more tolerance for the Republican Legislature, and the Republican Legislature needs to come to terms with the fact that (Doyle) is a Democrat,” Ellis said.
Democrat Tom Nelson of Kaukauna narrowly defeated Republican incumbent Becky Weber in the Assembly’s 5th District.
As a newcomer to the Legislature, Nelson said he hopes to work with fellow members of the minority party to find places on issues where both sides can come together.
“I would like to reach out to that middle ground,” he said.
Ben Jones can be reached at 608-255-9256 or by e-mail at bjones@postcrescent.com
