Democrat Kristin Alfheim wins 18th Senate District

WISCONSIN (Civic Media) – Democrat Kristin Alfheim has been called the winner of the race for the 18th Senate District in Wisconsin.

The Associated Press made the call Wednesday afternoon.

The Democratic Party was favored in this district going into the election, according to CNalysis. The district was considered very likely Democrat with a projected margin of 12 points.

Alfheim, who currently serves as an alderperson and the vice president of the Appleton Common Council. She ran for State Senate two years ago in then-District 19, losing to Republican Rachael Cabral-Guevara. Alfheim has also been on the Board of Directors for the Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Wisconsin for many years, and before running for office, she worked as a retirement planner. She’s also a member of the LGBTQ community, and is a spotlight candidate in the national LGBTQ+ Victory Fund. 

Alfheim defeated Republican opponent Anthony Phillips, who won a competitive primary in August over Blong Yang, 62% to 38%. Phillips is a political newcomer who worked for nearly 30 years as a cancer physician in Appleton and Neenah, at Fox Valley Hematology and Oncology and ThedaCare Oncology. He announced his candidacy with a particular focus on his opposition to transgender athletes competing in youth sports.

The 18th Senate District was an open seat that was “created” under redistricting. Under old maps, for more than a decade, there was no Democratic state senator serving in the Fox Valley. Technically, Dan Feyen is the incumbent, but he was drawn out of the district.

The 18th Senate District covers parts of Winnebago and Outagamie counties in eastern Wisconsin, including parts or all of the cities of Oshkosh, Appleton, Menasha, and Neenah. The 52nd, 53rd, and 54th Assembly Districts are in the 18th Senate District.

For more analysis on the 2024 Election, you can visit our Election Coverage website here. A preview of all state races is available on our 2024 Wisconsin Legislature Voter Guide.