GOP leaders credit "Trump phenomenon" for largest majorities in Senate, Assembly in decades

MADISON -- Republican leaders are crediting Donald Trump with helping them build the largest majorities in the Wisconsin Senate and Assembly the GOP has seen in decades.

Assembly Republicans added one member to go into the session with a 64-35 majority, their largest since 1957.

Not a single Republican incumbent lost in the Senate -- and the GOP won an open seat and defeated Democrat Julie Lassa to build a 20-12 majority, their largest since 1971.

Senate Minority Leader Jennifer Shilling is still locked in a race with Republican challenger Dan Kapanke that was too close to call Wednesday afternoon, November 9th.

Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald said his candidates benefited from the "Trump phenomenon."

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos echoed him, saying Trump helped down-ticket.

Assembly Majority Leader Jim Steineke, who was a vocal critic of Trump early on, said Trump drew people to the polls who hadn't voted for years.