2026 Wisconsin State Assembly election

Partisan background

In the 2024 US Presidential Election, Donald Trump won 50 districts, while Kamala Harris won 49. Republicans represent five districts where Harris had won in 2024, while one Democrat represents a district which voted for Donald Trump:

• District 21 (Harris +4.05%), represented by Jessie Rodriguez
• District 51 (Harris +3.49%), represented by Todd Novak
• District 53 (Harris +4.35%), represented by Dean Kaufert
• District 61 (Harris +2.20%), represented by Bob Donovan
• District 88 (Harris +0.35%), represented by Ben Franklin
• District 94 (Trump +2.15%), represented by Steve Doyle

Background

Following redistricting as a result of the Wisconsin Supreme Court's decision in Clarke v. Wisconsin Elections Commission, the 2024 Wisconsin State Assembly election saw the Democrats gain 10 seats, putting them at 45 seats to the Republicans' 54. The Democratic Party had also gained 4 seats in the simultaneous state senate election.^[1]

Retirements

• Scott Allen (R–Waukesha), representing district 82 since 2025,^[a] is retiring.^[4]
• Robert Brooks (R–Saukville), representing district 59 since 2025,^[b] is retiring.^[5]
• Rick Gundrum (R–Slinger), representing district 58 since 2018, is retiring.^[6]
• Dean Kaufert (R-Neenah), representing district 53 since 2025,^[c] is retiring.^[7]
• Dave Murphy (R–Hortonville), representing district 56 since 2013, is retiring.^[8]
• Jerry L. O'Connor (R–Fond du Lac), representing district 60 since 2025,^[d] is retiring.^[9]
• Kevin David Petersen (R–Waupaca), representing district 57 since 2025,^[e] is retiring.^[10]
• Jessie Rodriguez (R–Oak Creek), representing district 21 since 2013 is retiring.^[11]
• Robin Vos (R–Rochester), representing district 33 since 2025,^[f] is retiring.^[12]

Seeking other office

• Francesca Hong (D–Madison), representing district 76 since 2021, is retiring to run for governor^[13]
• Jenna Jacobson (D–Oregon), representing district 50 since 2025,^[g] is retiring to run for Senate in the 17th district.^[14]
• Robyn Vining (D–Wauwatosa), representing district 13 since 2025,^[h] is retiring to run for Senate in 5th district^[15]

Lost renomination

• Sylvia Ortiz-Velez (D–Milwaukee), representing district 8 since 2021, lost renomination to Ismael Luna (D–Milwaukee)

District 1

Incumbent Republican Joel Kitchens is running for re-election. He will face Democrat Renee Paplham in a rematch of the 2024 race.

District 2

Incumbent Republican Shae Sortwell is running for re-election. He will face Democrat Alicia Saunders in a rematch of the 2024 race.

District 3

Incumbent Republican Ron Tusler is running for re-election. He will face Democrat Michael J. Goodwin. Tusler was initially running unopposed, but Goodwin won the Democratic nomination after running a write-in campaign in the Democratic primary.

District 4

Incumbent Republican David Steffen is running for re-election. He will face Democrat Alexia Unertl in the general election.

District 5

Incumbent Republican Joy Goeben is running for re-election. She will face Democrat Justin Schumacher and Green party candidate David Schupbach in the general election.

District 6

Incumbent Republican Elijah Behnke is running for re-election. He will face Democrat Shirley Hinze in a rematch of the 2024 race.

District 7

Incumbent Democrat Karen Kirsch is running for re-election. She will face Republican Lee Whiting in a rematch of the 2024 race.

District 8

Incumbent Democrat Sylvia Ortiz-Velez ran for re-election. She faced one candidate in the Democratic primary, community activist and first-time candidate Ismael Luna, who had began his challenge to Ortiz-Velez following her break with the Democratic caucus in late 2025, as well as due to alleged threats she had made against several Democratic colleagues. During her tenure as representative, Ortiz-Velez had also drawn criticism for voting with Republicans on several pieces of legislation.^[98] Durng the campaign, the two candidates shared broadly similar platforms, including support for an AI data center moratorium, renewing the lapsed Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program, and opposing cooperation between ICE and local and state governments. However, the two candidates differed on the issue of the failed proposed budget-surplus deal, with Ortiz-Velez having voted in favor of the proposal, while Luna stated he would have voted against it.^[99] Throughout the primary, Luna saw his campaign gain the support of the Assembly Democratic Campaign Committee and the Working Families Party, as well as Milwaukee alder JoCasta Zamarripa, who represented the district prior to Ortiz-Velez,^[100] while Ortiz-Velez was supported by the Jobs First Coalition Political Fund, a Republican donor-group.^[101] Ortiz-Velez was defeated in her bid for renomination by a 40-point margin.

Luna will face Republican Angel Sanchez in the general election.

District 9

Incumbent Democrat Priscilla Prado is running for re-election. She faced Milwaukee school board member Mimi D. Reza in the Democratic primary. During the primary the two Democrats agreed on several issues, such as increasing funding for public schools, renewing the lapsed Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Fund, prohibiting local and state involvement with ICE, as well as protecting local communities from the harms of AI data centers. However, the two candidates diverged on the issue of how the state should regulate AI data centers.^[103] The campaign also notably became a proxy for the feud between Prado and fellow Milwaukee legislator Sylvia Ortiz-Velez, as Reza's candidacy had been endorsed and promoted by Ortiz-Velez.^[104] Prado defeated Reza by 42-point margin.

Prado will face Republican and college student Samuel Guerreo in the general election.

District 10

Incumbent Democrat Darrin Madison is running for re-election. He will face Green Party candidate Robert Longwell-Grice in the general election.

District 11

Incumbent Democrat Sequanna Taylor is running for re-election. She will face Republican Shandowlyon Reaves in the general election.

District 12

Incumbent Democrat Russell Goodwin is running for re-election. He faced local activist Jordan Roman in the Democratic primary. During the primary Goodwin, who has been characterized as a moderate throughout his first term, faced opposition from more liberal Democrats.^[105] He additionally drew criticism and withdrawing of support from LGBTQ+ rights groups for voting with Republicans on bills which would prohibit transgender students participation in school sports.^[106][107] The two candidates offered similar proposals to foster police-community relationships,^[108] renew the lapsed Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program, and oppose cooperation between ICE and local and state governments.^[109] The two candidates, however, differed on several major issues which faced the legislature that term. One such issue was over a moratorium on the construction of AI data centers, with Goodwin opposing a moratorium and Roman supporting one. Another major area the candidates diverged was on the failed proposed budget-surplus deal, with Goodwin having voted in favor of the proposal, while Roman argued the proposal was imperfect and should have been renegotiated.^[109] On election night, Goodwin defeated Roman by an eight-point margin. Goodwin is running unopposed in the general election.

District 13

Incumbent Democrat Robyn Vining has declined to seek re-election, instead running for state senate. Democrats David Sanchez and Amy Zimmerman ran to succeed her, with Zimmerman winning the nomination by a close three-point margin. Zimmerman will face Republican Mike Morgan in the general election.

District 14

Incumbent Democrat Angelito Tenorio is running for re-election. He will face Republican AmyRose Murphy in the general election.

District 15

Incumbent Republican Adam Neylon is running for re-election. He will face Democrat Stephen Tryon in the general election.

District 16

Incumbent Democrat Kalan Haywood is running for re-election. He will face Republican Alciro Deacon in the general election.

District 17

Incumbent Democrat Supreme Moore Omokunde is running for re-election. He will face Republican Charlene Abughrin in the general election.

District 18

Incumbent Democrat Margaret Arney is running for re-election. She will face Republican Joel Richmond in the general election.

District 19

Incumbent Democrat Ryan Clancy is running for re-election. He defeated Democrat Bridget Maniaci in the Democratic primary. Clancy will face Republican Yasmine B. Outlaw in the general election.

District 20

Incumbent Democrat Christine Sinicki is running for re-election. She will face Republican Kyle Cleary in the general election.

District 21

Incumbent Republican Jessie Rodriguez has declined to seek re-election. Republican Dylan Pfaffenbach is running to succeed her. Two Democrats, union leader Dan J. Bukiewicz and former priest David Liners, are running for the Democratic nomination. Pfaffenbach will face the winner of the Democratic primary in the general election.

District 22

Incumbent Republican Paul Melotik is running for re-election. He will face Democrat Dana Glasstein in a rematch of the 2024 election.

District 23

Incumbent Democrat Deb Andraca is running for re-election. She will face Republican Aleaner Pabonnie.

District 24

Incumbent Republican Dan Knodl is running for re-election. He will face Democrat Matt Brown.

District 25

Incumbent Republican Paul Tittl is running for re-election. He will face Democrat Chris Able.

District 26

Incumbent Democrat Joe Sheehan is running for re-election. He will face Republican John Belanger.

District 27

Incumbent Republican Lindee Brill is running for re-election unopposed.

District 28

Incumbent Republican Robin Kreibich is running for re-election. He will face Democrat Robin Lillesve.

District 29

Incumbent Republican Treig Pronschinske is running for re-election. He will face Democrat and former legislator Chris Danou in a rematch of the 2016 race.

District 30

Incumbent Republican Shannon Zimmerman is running for re-election. He will face Democrat and educator Kevin Knoke in the general election.

District 31

Incumbent Republican Tyler August is running for re-election. He will face Democrat John Perryman in the general election.

District 32

Incumbent Republican Amanda Nedweski is running for re-election. She will face Democrat Greg Miller in the general election.

District 33

Incumbent Republican and Assembly speaker Robin Vos has declined to seek re-election. Republican and Union Grove village president Steve Wicklund will face Democrat and business owner Maria Elena Bisabarros in the general election.

District 34

Incumbent Republican Rob Swearingen is running for re-election. He will face Democrat Merlin Van Buren in a rematch of the 2012 race for this seat.

District 35

Incumbent Republican Calvin Callahan is running for re-election. He will face Democrat Elizabeth McCrank in a rematch of the 2024 race for this seat.

District 36

Incumbent Republican Jeffrey Mursau is running for re-election. He will face Independent Shena Chapman in the general election.

District 37

Incumbent Mark Born is running for re-election. He faced Republican Steve Rydzewski in the primary, defeating him by 30-points. Born will face Democrat LaToya Bates in a rematch of the 2024 race for this seat.

District 38

Incumbent Republican William Penterman is running for re-election. He will face Democrat Terri Wenkman in the general election.

District 39

Incumbent Republican Alex Dallman is running for re-election. He will face Democrat Michael Skivington in the general election.

District 40

Incumbent Democrat Karen DeSanto is running for re-election. She will face Republican Julie Helmer in the general election.

District 41

Incumbent Republican Tony Kurtz is running for re-election. He will face Democrat Zach Commons in the general election.

District 42

Incumbent Democrat Maureen McCarville is running for re-election. She will face Republican Keith F. Miller in the general election.

District 43

Incumbent Democrat Brienne Brown is running for re-election. She will face Republican Paul McGraw in the general election.

District 44

Incumbent Democrat Ann Roe is running for re-election. She will face Republican Ron Woodman in the general election.

District 45

Incumbent Democrat Clinton Anderson is running for re-election. He will face Republican Jocelyn Jordan in the general election.

District 46

Incumbent Democrat Joan Fitzgerald is running for re-election. She will face Republican John Donahue in the general election.

District 47

Incumbent Democrat Randy Udell is running for re-election. He will face Republican Sandy Bakk in the general election.

District 48

Incumbent Democrat Andrew Hysell is running for re-election. He will face Republican Mark Kjorlie in the general election.

District 49

Incumbent Republican Travis Tranel is running for re-election. He will face Democrat John Rindy in the general election.

District 50

Incumbent Democrat Jenna Jacobson declined to seek re-election, instead running for Wisconsin State Senate. Democrat Bill Oemichen defeated Josh Mittness and Bryna Caves and will face Republican Jon Aleckson in the general election.

District 51

Incumbent Republican Todd Novak is running for re-election. He will face Democrat Ben Gruber and American Solidarity candidate Nathan Tataje in the general election.

District 52

Incumbent Democrat Lee Snodgrass is running for re-election. She will face Republican Reive Pullen in the general election.

District 53

Incumbent Republican Dean Kaufert has declined to seek re-election. Republican David Daniels will face Democrat Becky Nichols and independent Rachael Dowling in the general election.

District 54

Incumbent Democrat Lori Palmeri is running for re-election. She will face Republican Tim Paterson in the general election in a rematch of the 2024 race.

District 55

Incumbent Republican Nate Gustafson is running for re-election. He will face Democrat Alex Corrigan in the general election.

District 56

Incumbent Republican Dave Murphy has declined to seek re-election. Republican Anthony Phillips will face Democrat Grace Abitz, who defeated Shawna Riley in the Democratic primary, in the general election.

District 57

Incumbent Republican Kevin David Petersen has declined to seek re-election. Republican candidate and dairy farmer Kevin Krentz defeated salesperson Ed Delgado, former representative and perennial candidate Bill Lorge, and 2024 independent candidate Dylan Testin in the Republican primary. Krentz will face Democratic candidate and bartender Joey Marschall in the general election.

District 58

Incumbent Republican Rick Gundrum has declined to seek re-election. Republican Bernie Newman faced and defeated Chris Bossert in the Republican primary, Newman will face Democrat Dennis D. Degenhardt in the primary.

District 59

Incumbent Republican Robert Brooks has declined to seek re-election. Republican Bradley Petersen will face Democrat Jack Holzman in the general election.

District 60

Incumbent Republican Jerry L. O'Connor has declined to seek re-election. Republican Marty Ryan will face independent Tiffany Brault in the general election.

District 61

Incumbent Republican Bob Donovan is running for re-election. He will face Democrat Ben Brist in the general election. Brist defeated Lawanda Chambers and Brian Bock in the Democratic primary.

District 62

Incumbent Democrat Angelina Cruz is running for re-election. She will face Republican Mike Bellagio.

District 63

Incumbent Republican Robert Wittke is running for re-election. He will face Democrat Eddie Phanichkul in the general election.

District 64

Incumbent Democrat Tip McGuire is running for re-election. He will face four-time candidate for this district Ed Hibsch in the general election.

District 65

Incumbent Democrat Ben DeSmidt is running for re-election. He will face Republican Valerie Kretchmer in the general election.

District 66

Incumbent Democrat and minority leader Greta Neubauer is running for re-election. She will face Republican Gina Cefalu Paulick in the general election.

District 67

Incumbent Republican David Armstrong is running for re-election. He will face Democrat Indiana Thompson in the general election.

District 68

Incumbent Republican Rob Summerfield is running for re-election. He will face Elisha King in the general election.

District 69

Incumbent Republican Karen Hurd is running for re-election. She will face Democrat Roger Hall and independent Josh Kelley in a rematch of the 2024 election.

District 70

Incumbent Republican Nancy VanderMeer is running for re-election. She will face Democratic candidate and author Stephanie Stuve-Bodeen.

District 71

Incumbent Democrat Vinnie Miresse is running for re-election. He will face Republican Jeff Disher in the general election.

District 72

Incumbent Republican Scott Krug is running for re-election. He will face Democrat Christine Maltese in the general election.

District 73

Incumbent Democrat Angela Stroud is running for re-election. She will face Republican Frank Kostka in a rematch of the 2024 election.

District 74

Incumbent Republican Chanz Green is running for re-election. He defeated Republican Scott Harbridge by a 30-point margin in the primary. Green will face Democrat Paul Johnson in the general election.

District 75

Incumbent Republican Duke Tucker is running for re-election. He will face Democrat Keith Mogel in the general election.

District 76

Incumbent Democrat Francesca Hong declined to seek re-election, instead seeking the Democratic nomination for governor. Madison District 15 Alderwoman Dina Nina Martinez-Rutherford defeated former District 8 Alderwoman Juliana Bennett, policy director to Assistant Assembly Minority Leader Kalan Haywood Isaia Ben-Ami, activist Tony Castañeda, and journalist Zoe Sullivan in the primary election and will face Republican Nina Chat.^{[110][111][112]}