Fields of candidates set for area races

As the nomination deadline passed Wednesday, the fields are set for federal, state and county races that will appear on the November ballot. A primary will be held Aug. 9. Lincoln County voters will help decide races for U.S. Congress, Wisconsin Senate and Assembly seats and Lincoln County District Attorney.
Incumbent Lincoln County District Attorney Don Dunphy is not seeking re-election. Running to replace Dunphy are Sidney A. Brubacher of Wausau and Galen Bayne-Allison of Lake Tomahawk. Since both candidates are running as Democrats, the election will essentially be decided in the primary.
One thing that is guaranteed in the race for the District 35 State Assembly seat is that the victor will be from Lincoln County. Incumbent Mary Czaja (R-Irma) is being challenged by a trio of Merrill Democrats: Erik Pfantz, Derek Woellner and Renea Frederick. The August primary will narrow the field to one Democratic candidate.
For the District 12 State Senate seat, incumbent Tom Tiffany (R-Hazelhurst) is being challenged by Democrats Bryan Van Stippen, Deerbrook, and David Polashek, Oconto Falls.
Incumbent Sean Duffy (R-Weston) is seeking re-election to the District 7 U.S. Congressional seat he has held since 2011. A slate of candidates have entered the race to challenge Duffy, including Democrats Phil Salamone, Schofield, Mary Hoeft, Rice Lake, Ethel Quisler, Wausau, and Joel Lewis, Wausau; Populist Ken Driessen, Hayward; Republican Donald Raihala, Superior; and Libertarian Robert Burke, Hudson.
U.S. Senator Ron Johnson (R-Oshkosh) is being challenged by Democrats Russ Feingold, Middleton, and Scott Harbach, Kenosha; Libertarian Phillip N. Anderson, Fitchburg; and Republican John Schiess, Rice Lake.