Democrats win control of Wisconsin Legislature, cementing first Democratic trifecta in 16 years

Democrats won control of the Wisconsin Senate and Assembly Tuesday night, along with the governor’s race — cementing Democratic trifecta control of state government for the first time in over 16 years.

Democratic candidates won the majority of their targeted seats — claiming open seats and ousting longtime Republican incumbents.

Democratic Senate Leader Dianne Hesselbein declared victory in a statement a little before 10 p.m.

“For two years we’ve said that the Wisconsin Senate was the most flippable chamber in the country, and tonight voters across the state proved that to be true,” Hesselbein said. “We’re grateful that Wisconsinites have placed their trust in Senate Democrats to deliver progress in our state; now it’s time to get to work cutting costs and building a stronger future for our hardworking men and women.”

Assembly Democrats declared victory a little after 11 p.m. Democratic Leader Greta Neubauer (D-Racine) said in a statement that she was proud of everyone who stepped up to run for the Assembly.

“They understood that this would be hard, that they would have to knock on doors every single day, face millions of dollars in attack ads, have to take time away from their families, and potentially face threats or violence. But they did it anyway, because they understood that this was our best shot in decades — our shot to win the Democratic trifecta, our shot to set Wisconsin on a new path. Our candidates and our members believe the people of our state deserve better,” Neubauer said. “And Wisconsin does deserve better. With this trifecta, we will end decades of Republican obstruction and build great schools, help families feel financially secure and to save for retirement. We will hold big tech accountable, protect our rights and freedoms, and make Wisconsin a state where everyone can thrive.”

Democrats have not held control of the state Senate or Assembly since 2010, but new legislative maps helped put the Legislature in play this year. The maps, which were passed by the Republican-led Legislature and signed by Gov. Tony Evers, were adopted in 2024 after Wisconsin’s previous legislative maps were found by the state Supreme Court to be an unconstitutional gerrymander.

In the 2024 election, Democrats flipped 10 Assembly seats, slashing the Republican majority from 64 seats to 54 seats and the state Senate went from a 22-seat Republican supermajority to an 18-seat Republican majority. The close margin increased Democrats’ influence on issues including the state budget over the last two years.

Headed into the election, Democrats were optimistic about their chances of taking control.

The Democratic-led Legislature will work alongside Democratic Governor-elect David Crowley, who defeated Republican Tom Tiffany.

“We know that people will be counting on us to deliver, and we will deliver. Alongside Governor David Crowley and our Democratic colleagues in the Senate, we will show that government can be a force for good and that things can be different with Democrats in charge,” Neubauer said. “Tonight we celebrate, tomorrow we get to work.”

Chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin Devin Remiker said in a statement that voters had sent “a resounding message that they are tired of a broken political system, where politicians put billionaires, special interests, and their own self-interest ahead of working families.”

“They saw Republicans in the Legislature gerrymander themselves into power, block Governor Evers at every turn, and sit on their hands while costs went up. They saw three billionaires try to buy the governor’s office for Tom Tiffany. And they chose a different direction,” Remiker said. “Now it’s time to deliver. Governor-elect David Crowley, Lieutenant Governor-elect Sarah Godlewski, Senate Democratic Leader Dianne Hesselbein, and Assembly Democratic Leader Greta Neubauer will work together to lower costs, make healthcare more affordable and accessible, invest in our public schools, and build an economy that works for all Wisconsinites.”

Here are the results in districts that were decisive in determining control:

• In Senate District 31, The Associated Press called the race for Sen Jeff Smith (D-Brunswick). He defeated a challenge from Republican Michele Magadance Skinner, an Eau Claire County board member to win another term in office. The district covers Eau Claire County and parts of Dunn, Trempealeau and Chippewa counties. With more than 95% reporting, Smith brought in 58% of the vote while Skinner brought in 42%.
• In Senate District 5, state Rep. Robyn Vining (D-Wauwatosa) defeated Republican Mike Roberts, a businessman and healthcare professional from Pewaukee. The race for the seat, which covers Wauwatosa and other parts of Milwaukee County, was open after Sen. Rob Hutton opted not to run for reelection. With 94% reporting according to The Associated Press, Vining had brought in 57% of the vote and Roberts had brought in 43%.
• In Senate District 21, Democrat Trevor Jung, the former Racine transit and mobility director, defeated Republican businessman Jim Croft. This southeast district that includes part of Racine and Milwaukee Counties was open due to Sen. Van Wanggaard (R-Racine) retiring. With 90% reporting, Jung had brought in 58% of the vote while Croft had brought in 42%.
• In Senate District 17, state Rep. Jenna Jacobson (D-Oregon) was leading state Sen. Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green) a little before 11 p.m. With more than 95% reporting according to The Associated Press, Jacobson had brought in 53% of the vote and Marklein had brought in 47%. The district represents Iowa, Lafayette, Green, Crawford and Grant counties as well as parts of Dane County.
• In Assembly District 21, Democrat Daniel Bukiewicz, the mayor of Oak Creek, defeated Dylan Pfaffenbach, a Republican student at Carroll University. The race for the seat was open following the retirement of Rep. Jessie Rodriguez, a longtime Republican incumbent. With 84% reporting according to the Associated Press, Bukiewicz brought in 60% of the vote while Pfaffenbach brought in 40%.
• In Assembly District 30, incumbent Rep. Shannon Zimmerman (R-River Falls), who was first elected in 2016, lost his reelection bid to Democratic challenger Kevin Knoke, a veteran and educator from Hudson. Zimmerman was first elected in 2016 and served on the Joint Finance Committee. With more than 95% reporting according to the Associated Press, Knoke brought in 53% of the vote while Zimmerman brought in 47%.
• In Assembly District 51, Rep. Todd Novak (R-Dodgeville) lost to Democratic challenger Ben Gruber, a conservation warden in Wisconsin who is member of AFSCME Local 1215. With 92% reporting according to the Associated Press, Gruber brought in 55% of the vote while Novak brought in 43%.
• In Assembly District 53, Republican David Daniels lost to Democrat Becky Nichols, a former Menasha city council member. The race was open due to the retirement of incumbent Rep. Dean Kaufert (R-Neenah). With more than 95% reporting according to the Associated Press, Nichols brought in 55% of the vote while Daniels brought in 39%.
• In Assembly District 61, Rep. Bob Donovan (R-Greenfield) lost his reelection bid to Democratic challenger Ben Brist, an army veteran. With 88% reporting according to the Associated Press, Brist brought in 56% of the vote while Donovan brought in 44%.
• In Assembly District 85, Rep. Patrick Snyder (R-Weston) lost his reelection bid to challenger Democrat John Kroll, a Marathon county board supervisor. Snyder, who was first elected in 2016, ran his campaign by emphasizing his work across the aisle. With more than 95% reporting according to the Associated Press, Kroll brought in 54% of the vote while Snyder brought in 46%.
• In Assembly District 88, Rep. Benjamin Franklin (R-De Pere) lost his reelection bid to Democrat Brandy Tollefson, a De Pere school board member. With more than 95% reporting according to the Associated Press, Tollefson brought in 54% of the vote while Franklin brought in 46%.
• In Assembly District 89, Rep. Ryan Spaude (D-Ashwaubenon) fended off a challenge from Republican challenger Bobby Lindsey, a retired law enforcement professional and a Marine Corps veteran. With more than 95% reporting according to the Associated Press, Spaude brought in 56% of the vote while Lindsey brought in 44%.
• In Assembly District 92, Rep. Clint Moses (R-Menomonie) lost his bid for reelection to Democratic challenger Jeremiah Fredrickson, a fish farmer from Elk Mound. With more than 95% reporting according to the Associated Press, Fredrickson brought in 53% of the vote while Moses brought in 47%.
• In Assembly District 94, Democratic Rep. Steve Doyle defeated Republican challenger Keith Purnell, an Army veteran. Doyle was first elected to the Assembly during a May 2011 special election and has been reelected since. With more than 95% reporting according to the Associated Press, Doyle brought in 57% of the vote while Purnell brought in 43%.

Originally published by Wisconsin Examiner, a nonprofit news organization.