United States Senate election in Wisconsin, 2004

United States Senate election in Wisconsin, 2004

1998 ← November 2, 2004 → 2010

Nominee Russ Feingold Tim Michels Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 1,632,697 1,301,183 Percentage 55.4% 44.1%

County results

U.S. Senator before election Russ Feingold Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Russ Feingold Democratic

The 2004 United States Senate election in Wisconsin was held November 2, 2004. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Russ Feingold won re-election to a third term.

Major candidates

Democratic

• Russ Feingold, incumbent U.S. Senator

Republican

• Tim Michels, businessman and army veteran

Campaign

Michels insisted he has more real world experience than Feingold, someone he called an "extreme liberal" who's out of touch with Wisconsin voters. Feingold attacked back by saying that any Republican would be a rubber stamp for President Bush. The incumbent had $2.2 million in the bank, while Michels had already spent $1 million in the primary and had only about $150,000 left.

After U.S. Senator John Ensign, Chairman of the NRSC, was finally convinced in October that Michels had a shot, the national GOP pledged $600,000 for Tim Michels.

On October 1st, a poll showed Feingold leading 52% to 39%. In mid October, another poll showed Feingold winning 48% to 43%. A poll at the end of the month showed him leading 51% to 36%.

Results

General election results

Russell D. Feingold

1,632,697

55%

Tim Michels

1,301,183

44%

Arif Khan

Libertarian

8,367

0.3%

Eugene A. Hem

Independent

6,662

0.2%