With last week’s Partisan Primary wrapped up, candidates and voters are now looking ahead at the November election that will decide many key races, from President of the United States to the local State Assembly seat.

The 80th District seat, which has been held by Democrat Sondy Pope for the past 18 years, is up for re-election, and Pope, who defeated Democratic challenger Kimberly Smith by gaining 67 percent of the vote last week, will face Republican Chase Binnie on Tuesday, November 3rd.

“First and foremost, I’d like to thank my supporters in the 80th Assembly District for giving me an opportunity to continue working on our shared priorities,” said Pope in her victory statement. “Since I was first elected, I have supported and worked on policies that aim to shape our state’s future. Adequate funding for K-12 education, non-partisan redistricting, broader access to healthcare and paid family medical leave, and keeping our clean air and water sustainable are long-term solutions to build a strong future for Wisconsin.”

“In the short-term, the legislature must be responsive to the immediate challenges of addressing the COVID-19 pandemic and eliminating systems and norms that contribute to racial disparities and discrimination,” she continued. “If re-elected in November, I will prioritize this work and continue to fight for these shared Wisconsin values.”

“In the meantime, I look forward to supporting candidates up and down the ticket and amplifying a progressive message that will improve the lives of working-class people across our state and country,” Pope concluded. “It is an honor to be the Democratic candidate for the 80th AD, and I’m confident that if we work together, we can move Wisconsin forward during these challenging times.”

Across the entire 80th Assembly District, Pope received 6,668 votes, while Smith took in 3,221.

“It was tough,” Smith said. “But I would do it again in a heartbeat. It helped me to grow as a person and better understand who I am and where I stand on the issues.”

Smith said her policy positions remain progressive, but she reiterated her belief that the Democratic party’s stubbornness is preventing important legislation from making its way through the Capitol. She is endorsing Binnie for the seat, because while she said she does not agree with all of his positions, she has faith that he will work to find common ground across the aisle.

“I think it’s important that we start voting in the right people rather than the party,” she said.

“This campaign showed me some things about what it means to be a Democrat and what it means to be a Republican,” Smith said. “At the heart of it for me is the fact that the black community is not being served by Democrats or Republicans.”

Looking forward, Smith said she hopes to work with community leaders to forge alliances that will solve pervasive social and economic disparities. Running for the 80th District seat was the first step, she said, in a longer journey.

“This is just the beginning,” she said. “Not the end.”

Next up for the incumbent is Binnie.

“I called Sondy to congratulate her on her win, and I was also impressed by Kimberly’s results as a first-time challenger,” he said.

“Regarding my campaign, I think voters are excited that I’m offering something new,” Binnie stated.

“As a moderate Republican, I’m resonating with a lot of people in the middle,” he continued. “These are people who can’t say their opinions at work or put a sign in their yard, but they agree with me on supporting our police and other ‘conservative’ stances.”

“I just have to keep getting my name out there so voters know they have another option,” he concluded.

This was Smith’s first campaign, and she said the experience was bittersweet. She said the election confirmed her prior concerns about partisan rancor and gridlock, but it also allowed her to find bright spots where dialogue, progress, and common ground are possible.