2026 Wisconsin Senate election
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November 3, 2026
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17 of 33 seats in the Wisconsin Senate 17 seats needed for a majority | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Elections in Wisconsin |
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The 2026 Wisconsin Senate election will be held on November 3, 2026. Seventeen of the 33 seats in the Wisconsin Senate are up for election—those in the odd-numbered districts. Republicans currently hold 12 of these 17 seats and have an 18–15 majority in the Senate overall.
This election will be significantly influenced by the legislative maps drawn as a result of the Wisconsin Supreme Court decision in Clarke v. Wisconsin Elections Commission, which declared the previous legislative district map to be unconstitutional on December 22, 2023. The court was in the process of selecting a remedial plan, when the legislature chose to embrace the remedial map proposal from Governor Tony Evers. Evers signed the plan into law on February 19, 2024.[1]
This will be the first state Senate elections held in these seats under the new redistricting plan. Under the new maps, control of the Senate could go to either party due to Democratic gains in the 2024 election.[2]
Partisan background
In the 2024 U.S. presidential election, Republican nominee Donald Trump won 9 districts, while Democratic nominee Kamala Harris won 8 districts. Republicans currently hold three districts where Harris won in 2024: District 5 (Harris +5.81%), represented by Rob Hutton; District 17 (Harris +1.03%), represented by Howard Marklein; and District 21 (Harris +1.23%), represented by Van Wanggaard.
| Harris 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% |
Trump 50–60% 60–70% |
Redistricting
This election will be significantly affected by the legislative maps drawn as a result of the Wisconsin Supreme Court decision in Clarke v. Wisconsin Elections Commission, which declared the previous legislative district map to be unconstitutional on December 22, 2023.[3] The court was in the process of selecting a remedial plan, when the legislature chose to embrace the remedial map proposal from Governor Tony Evers. Evers signed the plan into law on February 19, 2024.[4]
2024 elections
In 2024, Democrats gained four seats in the Senate under the new maps, with the expectation they would not be able to win a majority then because only even-numbered seats were up for election that year.[5][6] During the 2024 campaign, both parties spent heavily on the competitive races in that cycle.[7] The Democrats' gains put them on a path towards winning a majority in 2026, where three senate districts could determine control of the chamber.[8][9]
Democrats last won a majority of seats in the state senate in the 2012 recall elections, but they last seated a majority of seats in a session after the 2008 elections.
Campaign
Primary elections
As part of their effort to gain control of the Senate, the Senate Democratic caucus has endorsed several candidates in competitive districts in an attempt to clear the field for their preferred candidates.[10] In the 5th district the State Senate Democratic Campaign Committee has supported representative Robyn Vining over businesswoman Sarah Harrison, who withdrew from the race in early January citing a lack of funding.[11][12] In the 17th district, one candidate, business owner Matt Roboin, declined to run, citing the Committee's endorsement of representative Jenna Jacobson for the nomination.[13] In the 21st district, city official Trevor Yung is running unopposed for the nomination after being endorsed by the Committee.[10] This strategy received criticism from candidates running in the various districts, who argued that it was undemocratic for the party campaign arm to intervene in primary elections and give support to certain candidates over others.[11][13]
Predictions
Senators are running for the first time under new districts implemented as a result of Clarke v. Wisconsin Elections Commission giving Democrats an opportunity to win control of the chamber for the first time in over a decade.[14] Some Wisconsin Democrats consider the Senate to be "the most flippable chamber in the country" due to the new districts as well as key Republican retirements from competitive seats.[15]
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[14] | Tossup | January 22, 2026 |
| State Navigate[16] | Lean D (flip) | February 4, 2026 |
Summary
| Party (majority caucus shading) |
Total | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Republican | |||
| Last election (2024) | 10 | 6 | 16 | |
| Total after last election (2024) | 15 | 18 | 33 | |
| Total before this election | 15 | 18 | 33 | |
| Up for election | 5 | 12 | 17 | |
| of which: | Incumbent retiring | 0 | 6 | 6 |
| Vacated | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Open | 0 | 6 | 7 | |
| Unopposed | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Outgoing incumbents
Retiring
- Rob Hutton (R–Brookfield), representing district 5 since 2023, is retiring.[17]
- André Jacque (R–New Franken), representing district 1 since 2019, is retiring.[18]
- Jesse James (R–Thorp), representing district 23 since 2023, is retiring.[19]
- Stephen Nass (R–Whitewater), representing district 11 since 2015, is retiring.[20]
- Van Wanggaard (R–Racine), representing district 21 since 2015, is retiring.[21]
- Devin LeMahieu (R–Oostburg), representing district 9 since 2015, is retiring.[22]
Incumbents and candidates
| Dist. | 2024 Pres.[23] |
Incumbent | This election | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Member | Party | First elected | Status | Declared candidate(s) | ||
| 01 | R+20.3 | André Jacque | Rep. | 2018 | Incumbent retiring[18] | |
| 03 | D+27.7 | Tim Carpenter | Dem. | 2002 | TBD | |
| 05 | D+5.9 | Rob Hutton | Rep. | 2022 | Incumbent retiring[17] |
|
| 07 | D+28.5 | Chris Larson | Dem. | 2010 | TBD | |
| 09 | R+15.7 | Devin LeMahieu | Rep. | 2014 | Incumbent retiring[22] |
|
| 11 | R+28.0 | Stephen Nass | Rep. | 2014 | Incumbent retiring[20] |
|
| 13 | R+30.9 | John Jagler | Rep. | 2021 (special) | TBD | |
| 15 | D+7.7 | Mark Spreitzer | Dem. | 2022 | TBD | |
| 17 | D+1.0 | Howard Marklein | Rep. | 2014 | Incumbent running |
|
| 19 | R+25.8 | Rachael Cabral-Guevara | Rep. | 2022 | TBD |
|
| 21 | D+1.2 | Van H. Wanggaard | Rep. | 2010[a] 2014 |
Incumbent retiring[21] | |
| 23 | R+35.9 | None (open seat) | No incumbent |
| ||
| 25 | R+13.6 | Romaine Quinn | Rep. | 2022 | Running for 23rd district |
|
| 27 | D+52.7 | Dianne Hesselbein | Dem. | 2022 | TBD | |
| 29 | R+19.3 | Cory Tomczyk | Rep. | 2022 | Incumbent running |
|
| 31 | D+2.2 | Jeff Smith | Dem. | 2018 | Incumbent running |
|
| Jesse James[b] | Rep. | 2022 | Incumbent retiring[19] | |||
| 33 | R+33.7 | Chris Kapenga | Rep. | 2015 (special) | TBD |
|
Race details
District 1
In Wisconsin's 1st Senate district, the incumbent, André Jacque (R–New Franken), has not indicated whether he will run for re-election. He has represented the district since 2019, winning a contested primary in 2018, winning the 2018 general election, and then winning re-election in 2022. He ran unsuccessfully for the Republican nomination for U.S. House of Representatives in Wisconsin's 8th congressional district in 2024. At this point, one Independent candidate has announced to run for the seat, Luxemburg small business owner Mark Becker.[53][24]
Under Wisconsin's 2024 maps, the 1st Senate district comprises all of Door and Kewaunee counties, as well as nearly all of Calumet County, much of northern and western Manitowoc County and eastern and southern Brown County, along with parts of southwest Outagamie County; it includes the cities of Sturgeon Bay and Chilton and parts of the cities of Appleton, Menasha, and Green Bay.[54]
District 3
In Wisconsin's 3rd Senate district, the incumbent, Tim Carpenter (D–Milwaukee), has not indicated whether he will run for re-election. He has represented the district since 2003, winning a contested primary in 2002, winning the 2002 general election, and then winning re-election five times. At this point, no Republican candidate has announced to run for the seat.
Under Wisconsin's 2024 maps, the 3rd Senate district comprises much of the south side of the city of Milwaukee, as well as the village of West Milwaukee and eastern parts of the cities of West Allis and Greenfield, all within central Milwaukee County.[55]
District 5
In Wisconsin's 5th Senate district, the incumbent, Rob Hutton (R–Brookfield), has announced that he will not run for re-election. He has represented the district since 2023, after winning the general election in 2022. At this point, state representative Robyn Vining (D–Wauwatosa) and Republican—Pewaukee small business owner Mike Roberts—have announced to run for the seat.[17][26][28]
Under Wisconsin's 2024 maps, the 5th Senate district comprises parts of western Milwaukee County, and eastern Waukesha County. It includes the cities of Brookfield and Pewaukee, and the villages of Elm Grove and Pewaukee, as well as most of the cities of Wauwatosa and West Allis, and parts of the cities of Milwaukee and Waukesha.[56] These western Milwaukee suburbs and Waukesha-area exurbs were a Republican stronghold as recently as 2014, but have moved steadily away from the Republicans since the election of Donald Trump. The 5th Senate district is a top pickup target for Wisconsin Democrats in 2026.[17]
District 7
In Wisconsin's 7th Senate district, the incumbent, Chris Larson (D–Milwaukee), has not indicated whether he will run for re-election. He has represented the district since 2011, after defeating a Democratic incumbent in the 2010 primary, winning the 2010 general election, and winning re-election three times. While serving as state senator, Larson ran unsuccessfully for Milwaukee County executive in 2016 and 2020. At this point, no Republican candidate has announced to run for the seat.
Under Wisconsin's 2024 maps, the 7th Senate district comprises eastern and southeastern Milwaukee County, including downtown, south side, and lakeshore areas of the city of Milwaukee, as well as the cities of Cudahy, Oak Creek, South Milwaukee, and St. Francis, and part of the city of Greenfield. This is a Democratic base district in the urban center of Milwaukee County.[57]
District 9
In Wisconsin's 9th Senate district, the incumbent, Devin LeMahieu (R–Oostburg), is retiring.[22] He has represented the district since 2015, after winning the 2014 general election, and winning re-election in 2018 and 2022. He is also the current majority leader in the Senate. At this point, no Democratic candidate has announced to run for the seat.
Under Wisconsin's 2024 maps, the 9th Senate district comprises most of Sheboygan County and the parts of eastern and southern Manitowoc County and northeast Fond du Lac County. It contains the cities of Sheboygan, Manitowoc, Two Rivers, Plymouth, Kiel, and Sheboygan Falls, and the villages of Kohler, Oostburg, and Elkhart Lake.[58]
District 11
In Wisconsin's 11th Senate district, the incumbent, Stephen Nass (R–Whitewater), has announced he will not run for re-election.[20] He has represented the district since 2015, after winning the 2014 general election, and winning re-election in 2018 and 2022. Former state representative Ellen Schutt has announced a campaign to succeed Nass; no Democratic candidate has announced to run for the seat.
Under Wisconsin's 2024 maps, the 11th Senate district comprises most of Walworth County, most of Kenosha County, and southwest Racine County, along with parts of southeast Rock County. It contains the cities of Burlington, Delavan, Elkhorn, and Lake Geneva, and the villages of Clinton, Darien, East Troy, Genoa City, Paddock Lake, Sharon, Union Grove, Walworth, along with most of the village of Pleasant Prairie and part of the city of Kenosha.[59]
District 13
In Wisconsin's 13th Senate district, the incumbent, John Jagler (R–Watertown), has not indicated whether he will run for re-election. He has represented the district since 2021, winning a contested special primary in 2021, then winning a 2021 special election, and winning re-election in 2022. At this point, one Democratic candidate—Montello educator Sasha Ripley—and one independent candidate—Beaver Dam city councilmember Jeff Bierman—have announced to run for the seat.[33][34]
Under Wisconsin's 2024 maps, the 13th Senate district comprises all of Green Lake and Marquette counties, along with most of Dodge County, western Fond du Lac County, and parts of northern Jefferson County, eastern Adams County, northeast Columbia County, and southwest Winnebago County. It includes the cities of Beaver Dam, Horicon, Markesan, Mayville, Montello, Princeton, Ripon, Watertown, and Waupun.[60]
District 15
In Wisconsin's 15th Senate district, the incumbent, Mark Spreitzer (D–Beloit), has not indicated whether he will run for re-election. He has represented the district since 2023, after winning the 2022 general election. At this point, no Republican candidate has announced to run for the seat.
Under Wisconsin's 2024 maps, the 15th Senate district comprises most of Rock County and parts of northwest Walworth County and southern Jefferson County. It includes the cities of Janesville, Beloit, Edgerton, Evansville, Milton, and Whitewater.[61]
District 17
In Wisconsin's 17th Senate district, the incumbent, Howard Marklein (R–Spring Green), has not indicated whether he will run for re-election. He has represented the district since 2015, after winning the 2014 general election, and winning re-election in 2018 and 2022. At this point, three Democratic candidates have announced to run for the seat, state representative Jenna Jacobson (D–Oregon), New Glarus child care advocate Corrine Hendrickson, and Potosi small business owner Lisa White.[37][38][40]
Under Wisconsin's 2024 maps, the 17th Senate district comprises all of Crawford, Grant, Green, Lafayette, and Iowa counties, as well as parts of southwest Dane County, western Rock County, and southern Vernon County. It includes the cities of Boscobel, Brodhead, Cuba City, Darlington, Dodgeville, Lancaster, Mineral Point, Monroe, Oregon, Platteville, Prairie du Chien, and Shullsburg.[62]
District 19
In Wisconsin's 19th Senate district, the incumbent, Rachael Cabral-Guevara (R–Fox Crossing), has not indicated whether she will run for re-election. She has represented the district since 2023, after winning the 2022 general election. At this point, one Democratic candidate has announced to run for the seat, rural organizer Emily Tseffos.[41]
Under Wisconsin's 2024 maps, the 19th Senate district comprises all of Waushara County, most of Winnebago County, western Outagamie County, southern Waupaca County, and part of eastern Adams County and southeast Portage County.[63]
District 21
In Wisconsin's 21st Senate district, the incumbent, Van H. Wanggaard (R–Racine), has announced he will not run for reelection.[21] He has represented the district since 2015, winning the 2014, 2018, and 2022 elections, after previously winning the 2010 general election and losing a 2012 recall election. At this point, one Democratic candidate has announced to run for the seat, Racine transit director Trevor Jung.[43]
Under Wisconsin's 2024 maps, the 21st Senate district comprises northeast Racine County and southwest Milwaukee County. It includes the city of Franklin, the northern half of the city of Racine, the western half of the city of Greenfield, and part of southwest Milwaukee, as well as the villages of Greendale, Hales Corners, Caledonia, Wind Point, and North Bay.[64]
District 23
In Wisconsin's 23rd Senate district, the incumbent, Jesse James (R–Thorp), was drawn out of this district and decided to retire.[19] Twenty-fifth district incumbent, Republican Romaine Quinn, was drawn into this district and will run for re-election. Quinn represented the 25th district since 2023, after winning the 2022 general election.[44] At this point, no Democratic candidate has announced to run for the seat.
Under Wisconsin's 2024 maps, the 23rd Senate district comprises all of Barron, Clark, Price, Rusk, and Taylor counties, with most of Chippewa County, northern Dunn County, and parts of northwest Marathon County. The district is mostly rural, but contains the cities of Bloomer, Ladysmith, Medford, Neillsville, and Rice Lake.[65]
District 25
In Wisconsin's 25th Senate district, the incumbent, Romaine Quinn (R–Birchwood), was drawn out of this district and will run for re-election in the 23rd district instead.[44] There is no incumbent residing in the new 25th Senate district. At this point, two Republican candidates—former state representatives Angie Sapik (R–Lake Nebagamon) and Erik Severson (R–Alden)—and one Democratic candidate—Bayfield County supervisor Charly Ray—have announced to run for the seat.[45][46][47]
Under Wisconsin's 2024 maps, the 25th Senate district comprises all of Ashland, Bayfield, Burnett, Douglas, Iron, Polk, Sawyer, and Washburn counties. It contains the cities of Superior, Ashland, Bayfield, Hayward, Spooner, and Washburn.[66]
District 27
In Wisconsin's 27th Senate district, the incumbent, Dianne Hesselbein (D–Middleton), has not indicated whether she will run for re-election. She has represented the district since 2023, after winning the 2022 general election. She is also the current minority leader in the Senate. At this point, no Republican candidate has announced to run for the seat.
Under Wisconsin's 2024 maps, the 27th Senate district comprises most of the northwest quadrant of Dane County. It includes much of the west side of the city of Madison, as well as portions of Madison's far north side, and the suburban cities of Middleton and Verona, and the villages of Black Earth, Cross Plains, Dane, Mazomanie, and Waunakee.[67]
District 29
In Wisconsin's 29th Senate district, the incumbent, Cory Tomczyk (R–Mosinee), has not indicated whether he will run for re-election. He has represented the district since 2023, after winning the 2022 general election. At this point, one Democratic candidate has announced to run for the seat, retired Wausau radiologist Gillian Battino.[48]
Under Wisconsin's 2024 maps, the 29th Senate district comprises most of Marathon County, along with northern Wood County, and parts of northern Portage County, northwest Waupaca County, and western Shawano County. The district includes the cities of Wausau, Marathon City, Marshfield, and Mosinee.[68]
District 31
In Wisconsin's 31st Senate district, the incumbent, Jeff Smith (D–Brunswick), has announced he will run for re-election.[51] He has represented the district since 2019, winning a contested primary in 2018, winning the 2018 general election, and then winning re-election in 2022. Twenty-third district incumbent, Republican Jesse James, was drawn into this district but opted to retire rather than run in an incumbent-vs-incumbent matchup.[19]
Under Wisconsin's 2024 maps, the 31st Senate district comprises all of Eau Claire County, southeast Dunn County, and parts of southern Chippewa County and northern Trempealeau County. It includes the cities of Eau Claire, Chippewa Falls, and Menomonie.[69]
District 33
In Wisconsin's 33rd Senate district, the incumbent, Chris Kapenga (R–Delafield), has not indicated whether he will run for re-election. He has represented the district since 2015, winning a contested primary in 2014, winning the 2014 general election, and then winning re-election in 2018 and 2022. At this point, one Democratic candidate has announced to run for the seat, Delafield attorney Mike Van Someren.[52]
Under Wisconsin's 2024 maps, the 33rd Senate district comprises most of western Waukesha County along with parts of eastern Jefferson County, southwest Washington County, and southeast Dodge County. It includes the cities of Delafield, Hartford, and Oconomowoc, and the villages of Chenequa, Dousman, Eagle, Hartland, Lac La Belle, Merton, Neosho, North Prairie, Palmyra, Sussex, and Wales.[70]
