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Marklein: 'Time to get to work'
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DARLINGTON - Howard Marklein, R-Spring Green, will represent the 51st Assembly District in Madison.

The 51st Assembly District represents most of Lafayette County. Results of Tuesday's election were determined early Wednesdsay morning.

Marklein received 10,822 votes, about 52 percent to 9,939 votes, about 48 percent, for John Simonson, D-Mineral Point.

In Lafayette County, Marklein received 2,510 votes to 2,190 for Simonson.

In a statement released late Tuesday, Marklein thanked the voters and said it would be an "honor to represent them."

Marklein said he knocked on more than 15,000 doors and met thousands of people in the district over the past 18 months.

"It has been a great learning experience and I enjoyed every minute of it," he said.

Voters told him they were concerned about jobs, government spending, state budget mismanagement and declining enrollment in schools.

Marklein said voters expect him to go to Madison and encourage economic development, reduce the tax burden, bring "fiscal sanity" to the budget process and address school funding issues.

"The campaign is over, and now it's time that I go to work," he said.

Marklein thanked volunteers who worked for his campaign; and his friends and family.

He also congratulated Simonson.

"He ran an honorable and spirited campaign, and he will remain a valuable and respected member of our community. I wish him well," Marklein said.

Simonson was unavailable for comment Wednesday. However, late Tuesday he said he expected a close race, adding that Marklein ran a good race.

Marklein and Simonson campaigned to replace Steve Hilgenberg, D-Dodgeville, who decided not to see another term.