New Glarus-area voters strongly favored hometown candidates in two of the most closely watched Democratic legislative primaries on the Aug. 11 ballot, helping Bill Oemichen win the nomination for the 50th Assembly District while giving Corrine Hendrickson one of her strongest showings in an unsuccessful bid for the 17th Senate District nomination.

The results were particularly pronounced in the Town and Village of New Glarus. In the Assembly primary, Oemichen received 289 votes in the Town of New Glarus, compared with 38 for Josh Mittness and 24 for Bryna Caves. In the village, the margin was even larger: Oemichen received 462 votes, Mittness 89 and Caves 51.

The hometown effect extended into neighboring rural communities. Oemichen carried York 145-50-27 and Exeter 234-87-76, and also led in Mount Pleasant and Washington. Taken together, the results show a broad New Glarus-centered bloc that stretched well beyond the village itself and into the surrounding countryside.

Hendrickson produced a similar geographic pattern in the Senate race, although it was not enough to overcome Jacobson’s broader districtwide advantage. Hendrickson defeated Jacobson 235-98 in the Town of New Glarus and 455-144 in the village, while also winning York 131-86. Exeter was much closer, with Jacobson prevailing 220-188.