MONROE - Brett Davis bucked Tuesday's Democratic trend.
On a day that saw Green County voters give the Democratic presidential nominee 61 percent of the vote, and the Democratic candidate for Congress 63 percent, the Republican Assemblyman captured nearly 60 percent support to earn a third term.
Davis, R-Oregon, said he was surprised he defeated challenger John Waelti, D-Monroe.
"I received about 63 percent of the vote in Monroe against a candidate who was from Monroe," he said. "It's humbling."
In Green County, Davis received 10,787 votes, about 60 percent, to 7,186 votes, about 40 percent for Waelti. Across the district, Davis received about 56 percent of the vote to 44 percent for Waelti.
Davis said the results show Green County voters don't follow straight party lines but take into account whether the candidate is working for them.
"Over the past four years I've tried to work with people whenever I can. My job is to help and serve the people of my district and they responded," Davis said.
The election was not a forgone conclusion, as Waelti took an early lead and Davis saw that Sen. Barack Obama was leading John McCain in Wisconsin.
"The national election was the one variable I wasn't sure of, but when I saw that New Glarus voted 60 percent for Obama and 60 percent for me, I felt better," he said.
Davis said he thought his work to protect virtual schools and the stand he took last year during the budget debate helped voters realize he will work with Democrats in the Assembly.
"It's clear that I will go against my party," he said.
It also was important for him to present his plan for the future to voters, he said.
Waelti congratulated Davis and said the loss made it a "tough night" for his supporters.
"I can handle it, but it's hard for my supporters," he said. "They put in so much time and effort."
Waelti said it's difficult to run against an incumbent who has "a large war chest." He campaigned with limited funds and said he relied on the people around him and their hard work.
"I had a super team working for me," he said. "You don't do this on your own."
Waelti said he was honored to have run for office and be listed on the same ballot as Obama and Rep. Tammy Baldwin, D-Madison.
He doesn't have any plans to run for the Assembly in the future, he said, but does want to stay involved in public service.
"I want to take some time off and travel," Waelti said. "I still want to write about public affairs and be involved in any way I can."
Davis said that despite the contentious tone of the campaign at times, he hopes he and Waelti can work together on issues in the future.
On a day that saw Green County voters give the Democratic presidential nominee 61 percent of the vote, and the Democratic candidate for Congress 63 percent, the Republican Assemblyman captured nearly 60 percent support to earn a third term.
Davis, R-Oregon, said he was surprised he defeated challenger John Waelti, D-Monroe.
"I received about 63 percent of the vote in Monroe against a candidate who was from Monroe," he said. "It's humbling."
In Green County, Davis received 10,787 votes, about 60 percent, to 7,186 votes, about 40 percent for Waelti. Across the district, Davis received about 56 percent of the vote to 44 percent for Waelti.
Davis said the results show Green County voters don't follow straight party lines but take into account whether the candidate is working for them.
"Over the past four years I've tried to work with people whenever I can. My job is to help and serve the people of my district and they responded," Davis said.
The election was not a forgone conclusion, as Waelti took an early lead and Davis saw that Sen. Barack Obama was leading John McCain in Wisconsin.
"The national election was the one variable I wasn't sure of, but when I saw that New Glarus voted 60 percent for Obama and 60 percent for me, I felt better," he said.
Davis said he thought his work to protect virtual schools and the stand he took last year during the budget debate helped voters realize he will work with Democrats in the Assembly.
"It's clear that I will go against my party," he said.
It also was important for him to present his plan for the future to voters, he said.
Waelti congratulated Davis and said the loss made it a "tough night" for his supporters.
"I can handle it, but it's hard for my supporters," he said. "They put in so much time and effort."
Waelti said it's difficult to run against an incumbent who has "a large war chest." He campaigned with limited funds and said he relied on the people around him and their hard work.
"I had a super team working for me," he said. "You don't do this on your own."
Waelti said he was honored to have run for office and be listed on the same ballot as Obama and Rep. Tammy Baldwin, D-Madison.
He doesn't have any plans to run for the Assembly in the future, he said, but does want to stay involved in public service.
"I want to take some time off and travel," Waelti said. "I still want to write about public affairs and be involved in any way I can."
Davis said that despite the contentious tone of the campaign at times, he hopes he and Waelti can work together on issues in the future.