RHINELANDER - Last night, Republicans Tom Tiffany and Rob Swearingen both celebrated victories.

Swearingen beat Democrat Merlin Van Buren for the 34th Assembly District seat.

Tiffany moved from the 35th Assembly to a 12th Senate seat, defeating democrat Susan Sommer.

Newswatch 12's Lex Gray talked to Tiffany and Swearingen just as the elections were called.

"I'm very humbled by the support I've had in the 34th Assembly District. We've been door-to-door since the whole primary election back in April, and I think the quality of people we have here in the 34th district is second to none, and we appreciate all the support we had tonight," Swearingen said.

Tiffany outlined his goals for his new office.

"Number one, we're going to take a look at the budget, number two, we're going to take a look at the iron-ore mining bill to see if we can rejuvenate that, and thirdly, additional reforms to the state agencies to make sure they're accountable to the people of Wisconsin that they serve," he said.


"The first priority is to look at any piece of legislation that comes across my desk that would affect jobs in the Northwoods," Swearingen said. "Whether that's a mining legislation, whether it's tourism, whether it's a general promotion, we've got to jump-start the economy here in the north, and hopefully we have some legislation that comes across early that affects jobs in the Northwoods."

Story By: Lex Gray