Democratic state Sen. Jeff Smith has won a third term representing the 31st Senate District, defeating Republican Michele Magadance Skinner in Tuesday's general election.
Smith, of the town of Brunswick, took 58.4 percent of the vote against Skinner, who serves on the Eau Claire County Board. The Associated Press projected Smith as the winner on election night.
The 31st District is centered on Eau Claire and takes in parts of Chippewa, Dunn and Trempealeau counties. Smith was first elected to the Senate in 2018 and previously served in the state Assembly.
Smith's hold on the seat was one piece of a statewide sweep for his party. Democrats flipped three Republican-held Senate seats while defending Smith's, giving them an 18-15 majority when the next legislative session starts.
Republicans had made the Eau Claire-area district a top target this cycle, viewing it as their most realistic pickup opportunity on the Senate map.
