For first time since 1980s, a Democrat takes Wisconsin’s 96th Assembly District with Tara Johnson win

The last time a Democrat held the seat in Wisconsin’s 96th Assembly District the No. 1 song in the nation was “Like a Virgin” by Madonna and Ronald Reagan was president.

Tuesday, however, that changed, as Tara Johnson won the district for Democrats, which haven’t held that seat since 1985.

Johnson unseated Republican incumbent Loren Oldenburg, who had held the seat for three terms. Republican Lee Nerison had it for 14 years before that and DuWayne Johnsrud had it for 20 years before that.

Johnson won with 51% of the 32,490 votes cast for the two candidates. Johnson won 16,578 to 15,912.

With new district voting lines, Oldenburg lost bigger in La Crosse County than he could maintain a lead in Vernon County, which was a trend of all area state legislative races.

“Our campaign has been about listening, bringing people together and advocating for solutions to the challenges people of this beautiful new district face,” Johnson said in a statement. “I am very grateful to the voters for trusting me to continue demonstrating my ability to bring folks together and get things done. I worked in a nonpartisan capacity as Chair and Supervisor on the La Crosse County Board and I will continue to put aside political labels to advocate for the people of the 96th Assembly District and all Wisconsinites. I promise to meet folks where they are, hear their concerns and work tirelessly for positive change.

“On behalf of the residents of the 96th, I want to thank Loren Oldenburg for his three terms of service in the Assembly.”

La Crosse County
Tara Johnson: 9,935
Loren Oldenburg: 6,513

Vernon County
Tara Johnson: 6,643
Loren Oldenburg: 9,399

In 2022, Oldenburg beat Josefine James 16,812 to 13,059. So, 2,619 more votes were cast in the 2024 election.

The 96th Assembly District includes most of Vernon County and the southwest portion of La Crosse County, including the Towns of Greenfield and Shelby, plus the southern tier of the City of La Crosse.