Former State Rep. Kelda Helen Roys will win the Democratic primary to succeed the retiring Fred Risser in representing most of Madison is the State Senate, Madison365 projects.
Roys will win the primary with far less than half the vote — with 85 percent of precincts reporting, Roys had garnered about 40 percent of the vote, leading a field of seven candidates.
Activist and former staffer to Gov. Tony Evers Nada Elmikashfi, who announced her candidacy before Risser announced his retirement and who garnered significant endorsements from US Rep. Ilhan Omar as well as a long list of prominent people of color in Madison, was in second place with 26 percent of the vote.
Former Alder Brian Benford ran third with just over nine percent of the vote.
With five people of color in the race, it was the most diverse primary field in Dane County’s history.
Risser has held the seat for more than 50 years and is the longest-serving legislator in the nation.
The Republican Party did not field a candidate in this race.
