MADISON, Wis. (Legal Newsline) – Republican Brad Schimel will be the next Wisconsin attorney general, with Democrat Susan Happ conceding the race.
With 99.70 percent of the precincts reporting, Schimel had captured 1,205,165 votes for 45.4 percent of the vote, while Democrat Susan Happ collected 1,060,425 votes for 45.4 percent.
Happ, the Jefferson County district attorney, had been leading in the polls until an ethics complaint against her surfaced.
The complaint, brought by a sexual assault victim, asserted the offender in question received a plea deal from the district attorney’s office because he had bought property from Happ.
Since 2006, Schimel has been the district attorney for Waukesha County, running an office with 16 attorneys working under him. He joined the DA’s office upon earning his Juris Doctorate at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1990.
Throughout his campaign, Schimel has made public safety a focal point, maintaining that his first priority, if elected, would be combating the increasing heroin problem in the state.
"Tonight, I am putting the drug dealers on notice You are public enemy No. 1 for the Wisconsin Attorney General's Office," Schimel said during his victory speech.
Schimel will replace outgoing Republican Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen.
Reach David Yates at elections@legalnewsline.com