Vote counting to pick a Democrat to run against Republican U.S. Rep. Glenn Grothman in Wisconsin’s 6th Congressional District finally reached a conclusion Wednesday, with Brad Smith called the winner by the Associated Press.

With just over 50% of the total number of votes cast in the Democratic primary, Smith had 480 votes more than Amanda Bell’s 49.6%. The AP called the race at 1:40 p.m. Wednesday, more than 17 hours after the polls closed at 8 p.m. Tuesday. 

Smith lives in the Milwaukee suburb of Mequon and works in software and web design. He owns a consulting business and served in the National Guard.

Bell is a Sheboygan County resident and is a substitute teacher and former U.S. Geological Survey scientist.

Both campaigns focused on policy issues including healthcare, affordability, the environment and human rights, including LGBTQ+ rights and reproductive rights. 

The district covers 11 east central Wisconsin counties. 

The 6th CD has been a GOP stronghold, and Grothman has never had a close election in the dozen years he’s been in the U.S. House. The November election, however, could find Grothman with not just one challenger but as many as four. Two independent candidates as well as a Green Party candidate have been certified for the general election ballot, bypassing Tuesday’s primary.