MONROE - Voters in the 51st Assembly District sent Rep. Steve Hilgenberg back to Madison for a second term.
Hilgenberg, D-Dodgeville, defeated Republican challenger Nathan Russell of Sauk City, 15,496, about 57 percent, to 11,766, about 43 percent. Russell actually earned more votes in Lafayette County - 3,524 to 2,845.
Hilgenberg, a freshman Assembly who in 2006 knocked off longtime Rep. Steve Freese, said he plans to go back to Madison to tackle issues that came up in his first term that need to be addressed in his second.
"We have to deal with the budget. We have to think of ways to create jobs and help the economy," he said. "We have to invest in schools and universities."
Hilgenberg told supporters he appreciated their help and said he was proud of the campaign he ran.
"We ran a campaign based on what we are going to do," he said.
Curbing negative ads from outside groups is one of the things he wants to see accomplished during his second term.
"We don't need them. They turn people off from voting," he said.
Hilgenberg said he wants to work for the people in his district.
"I'm looking forward to our second term," he said. "We're in a position that can make a difference. It's a humbling experience."
Russel said the election results hadn't set in yet when contacted late Tuesday, but said it wasn't one of his better days.
Russell said he thought his defeat was a result of the national election.
"I wonder if it had something to do with it," he said of Republican problems nationwide. "I don't think our message was able to cut through all the clutter."
Still, he was happy with the campaign.
"There's nothing in the campaign I would have done differently," he said.
He said it's unlikely he will run for the Assembly again.
"I'm going to focus on being a good husband and a good dad for the next few months," he said.
Hilgenberg, D-Dodgeville, defeated Republican challenger Nathan Russell of Sauk City, 15,496, about 57 percent, to 11,766, about 43 percent. Russell actually earned more votes in Lafayette County - 3,524 to 2,845.
Hilgenberg, a freshman Assembly who in 2006 knocked off longtime Rep. Steve Freese, said he plans to go back to Madison to tackle issues that came up in his first term that need to be addressed in his second.
"We have to deal with the budget. We have to think of ways to create jobs and help the economy," he said. "We have to invest in schools and universities."
Hilgenberg told supporters he appreciated their help and said he was proud of the campaign he ran.
"We ran a campaign based on what we are going to do," he said.
Curbing negative ads from outside groups is one of the things he wants to see accomplished during his second term.
"We don't need them. They turn people off from voting," he said.
Hilgenberg said he wants to work for the people in his district.
"I'm looking forward to our second term," he said. "We're in a position that can make a difference. It's a humbling experience."
Russel said the election results hadn't set in yet when contacted late Tuesday, but said it wasn't one of his better days.
Russell said he thought his defeat was a result of the national election.
"I wonder if it had something to do with it," he said of Republican problems nationwide. "I don't think our message was able to cut through all the clutter."
Still, he was happy with the campaign.
"There's nothing in the campaign I would have done differently," he said.
He said it's unlikely he will run for the Assembly again.
"I'm going to focus on being a good husband and a good dad for the next few months," he said.