Vilas, Oneida stay red despite national flips

Results are in and voters in the Northwoods maintained a strong red presence despite what many national news pundits are calling a “Blue Tsunami.”

Democratic candidate David Crowley, a Milwaukee County executive, defeated Republican Tom Tiffany of Minocqua in the race, earning 54.1% of the statewide vote to Tiffany’s 45.9%. With the win, Crowley becomes the state’s first Black governor in its 178-year history.

Locally, Tiffany carried both counties. Tiffany and lieutenant governor candidate David Varnam secured 8,042 votes in Vilas County (61.5%), to Crowley and running mate Sarah Godlewski’s 5,040 (38.5%). In Oneida County, 11,564 votes were cast for Tiffany for 57.5%, versus 8,551 for Crowley, 42.5%.

Republican Michael Alfonso beat out Democrat Fred Clark for the 7th District Congressional seat with 56.1% of the vote to Clark’s 43.9%. In Vilas County, Alfonso earned 7,703 votes to Clark’s 5,338; and in Oneida, Alfonso took 10,891 to Clark’s 9,062. The seat was left open when U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany launched his bid for the governor’s seat.

In the Assembly District 34 race, incumbent Rep. Rob Swearingen again defeated Democrat Merlin Van Buren to retain his seat. Swearingen netted 8,076 votes in Vilas and 11,007 in Oneida to Van Buren’s 4,962 and 8,180 votes, respectively.

Three constitutional amendment questions also appeared on the ballot statewide. Voters statewide narrowly approved a proposal to limit the governor’s veto power, with 50.7% supporting the amendment and 49.3% opposed. A proposed amendment to limit government officials’ ability to close places of worship during a health emergency was rejected by voters, and an amendment aimed at limiting diversity, equity and inclusion programs was approved by voters.

Voters in Vilas and Oneida counties supported all three referendum questions.

In Eagle River, 74% of voters passed a referendum to establish term limits by a margin of 508 yes votes to 177 no votes. The ruling means alderpeople and the mayor cannot serve more than four consecutive two-year terms (eight years total) without taking at least a six-year break in between. The referendum also doesn’t allow switching between the two offices to continue serving past the eight-year limit.

Two local positions in both counties ran unopposed, with Sheriff Gerard Ritter and Clerk of Court Beth Soltow retaining their positions in Vilas, and Sheriff Grady Hartman and Clerk of Court Brenda Behrle in Oneida. 

Full county election results by town can be found by visiting vilascountywi.gov/residents/elections/election_results.php, or oneidacountywi.gov/november-3-2026-general-election-results.