• 
• CLASS
• JOBS
• AUTO
• HOMES

GOP wins 45th Assembly District

Photo

JANESVILLE — The 45th Assembly District is represented by a Republican for the first time in more than 20 years.

Amy Loudenbeck of Clinton Township said voters in the 45th District should expect to see her often and to find her accessible.

"It is very important to me to really include the whole district," Loudenbeck said from her victory party at Boxcars Pub & Grub in Clinton.

Loudenbeck, 40, of 10737 S. Highway 140, Clinton, is self-employed as a landlord and works as an instructor with the UW-Whitewater Small Business Development Center. She worked for more than seven years as the executive director of the Greater Beloit Chamber of Commerce.

Loudenbeck said her message of inclusion, lower taxes and a positive Wisconsin business environment won her the seat over Democrat Roger Anclam of Turtle Township. Anclam is chairman of the Turtle Town Board and a former United Auto Workers representative.

"We will bring what this area really needs," Loudenbeck said about her campaign. "We are about letting people take advantage of the opportunities that are here without government intervention. We are about putting people first."

Loudenbeck is looking forward to a special session on job creation that she expects Gov. Elect Scott Walker to call as soon as he is inaugurated.

"We will not wait for the budget process," Loudenbeck said. "We will roll up our sleeves and jump in."

Loudenbeck said she learned about the district during her campaign, particularly because she was part of a recount in the primary. She laughed Tuesday night because she knew off the top of her head that Janesville's Ward 28 is the dog park and does not have any voters.

She also learned that every ward and township in the district is different, she said.

"Each ward in Beloit is unique in its needs and its concerns," Loudenbeck said. "Each of the areas is different. That's why this was a ground-driven race. And the beauty of the Assembly is you should really be able to know your district in and out."

Loudenbeck replaces Chuck Benedict, a retired Beloit physician who did not seek re-election after three terms. Beloit Democrat Dan Schooff served before Benedict, and Judy Robson held the seat before him.