Republicans capture open state Senate seat

MADISON, Wis. (AP) - Republicans have captured an open state Senate seat that could propel them to a majority in the chamber and full control of state government.
 
According to returns tabulated by The Associated Press, state Rep. Tom Tiffany, a Hazelhurst Republican, was leading Susan Sommer, a Phelps Democrat, for the open seat in far northeastern Wisconsin's 12th Senate District by about 16 percentage points with a little more than three-quarters of precincts reporting.
 
Republicans need to defeat at least one Democratic incumbent or capture the 12th District as well as protect four GOP incumbent senators to seize control of the chamber. All four incumbents were leading their challengers late Tuesday.
 
Republicans already control the governor's office and are widely expected to retain their Assembly majority.