1st Congressional District Remains Ryan Territory

Despite a solid effort and backing from local Democratic parties, challenger Rob Zerban fell short Tuesday in his effort to unseat U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan in the race for the 1st Congressional District.

It was pretty crowded at the UAW hall in Kenosha by 9 p.m., where local Democrats, including Zerban and 22nd Distric State Senator Bob Wirch, were awaiting results. 

The crowd cheered every time another Democrat was shown as a projected winner on the screens tuned to political coverage, but when it came down to it, the Ryan campaign machine proved too much.

According to our media partners at Fox 6 News, at 9:46 p.m. Ryan was up by a nearly 2-to-1 margin; 62 to 36 percent, with 20 percent of precincts reporting.

At about 10 p.m., the Associated Press declared Ryan the winner. At that point, Ryan had 59 percent of the vote to Zerban's 39 percent.

At the Kenosha County Democrats' party, Zerban thanked supporters for their unwavering dedication.

"I am disappointed to tell you that we did not prevail tonight against Paul Ryan, but I am so proud of the race we ran and all that we have accomplished," he said. "I have been blown away by all the support."

Zerban also addressed the re-election of President Barack Obama.

"The American people have voted for four more years of progress, and we should all celebrate that," he said.

Patch is waiting for a statement from Ryan's campaign, and we will update this story when we receive it.