Senate special election to be held April 4

Gov. Tony Evers ordered Friday that the special election to fill Wisconsin’s 8th Senate District seat will be held on April 4, 2023, in conjunction with the spring election that will determine control of the state Supreme Court.

The traditionally Republican seat is open after Sen. Alberta Darling (R – River Hills) announced last week she would be retiring after serving in the Senate for 32 years. Her retirement from the seat, which covers parts of Ozaukee and Washington counties, northeastern parts of Waukesha county and the northern Milwaukee suburbs, took effect on Thursday, Dec. 1.

“Senator Darling has earned the respect of colleagues on both sides of the aisle because she’s a diligent leader who’s always carried herself with poise, class, and grace. I’ve always appreciated her thoughtfulness in our conversations over the years,” said Evers in a statement about Darling’s retirement. 

A primary election, if necessary, will be held on Feb. 21, 2023. Circulation of nomination papers begins Friday and they must be filed before 5 p.m. on Jan. 3, 2023.

Rep. Dan Knodl (R-Germantown), first elected to the Assembly in 2008, announced his candidacy for the seat on Thursday.

“Today, Wisconsin faces new challenges including runaway inflation, attacks on parental rights, and efforts to defund our police,” Knodl said in a statement. “I am running for the State Senate to ensure that the people of the 8th Senate District continue to have a proven common-sense voice in Madison.”

Knodl, who represents one of three Assembly districts within the 8th Senate District, is the only candidate to announce so far. 

Two other Assembly districts make up the district including Assembly District 22 represented by Rep. Janel Brandtjen (R – Menomonee Falls) and Assembly District 23 represented by Rep. Deb Andraca (D – Whitefish Bay).

Andraca, who many considered as a potential candidate, said in a statement earlier this week that she would not be running.