Caucus Leadership

Elections Alert

November 10th, 2026

2027-2028 Senate Democratic Leadership

Senate Democrats caucused on today to vote on their leadership for the new legislative session.

Majority Leader - Dianne Hesselbein (D-Middleton)

Dianne Hesselbein (D-Middleton) was first elected to the Senate in 2022. Previously, she served in the Assembly from 2012-2022. Last session, Sen. Hesselbein served as Minority Leader before being elected Majority Leader by her colleagues. Sen. Hesselbein is a full-time legislator.

Senate President - Mark Spreitzer (D-Beloit)

Mark Spreitzer (D-Beloit) was first elected to the Senate in 2022. Prior to that, he served in the Assembly from 2014-2022. Sen. Spreitzer previously served as Senate Minority Caucus Chair last session, before being elected Senate President. Sen. Spreitzer is a full-time legislator, but previously worked in alumni relations at Beloit College.

Assistant Majority Leader - Kristin Dassler-Alfheim (D-Appleton)

Kristin Dassler-Alfheim (D-Appleton) was first elected to the Senate in 2024. Prior to that, she served on the Appleton Common Council from 2021-2023. Sen. Dassler-Alfheim is a full-time legislator

Senate President Pro Tempore - Dora Drake (D-Milwaukee)

Dora Drake (D- Milwaukee) was first elected to the Senate in a 2024 special election. Prior to that, she served in the Assembly from 2020-2024. Previously, Sen. Drake served as the Legislative Black Caucus Chair in 2023. Sen. Drake works as a social worker.

Caucus Chair - Melissa Ratcliff (D-Cottage Grove)

Melissa Ratcliff (D- Cottage Grove was first elected to the Senate in a 2024. Prior to that, she served in the Assembly from 2022-2024. Previously, Sen. Ratcliff served on the Dane County Board of Supervisors from 2018-2024 and on the Cottage Grove Village Board of Trustees from 2018-2022. Sen. Ratcliff worked as a paralegal before becoming a full time legislator.

Vice Caucus Chair - Jeff Smith (D-Eau Claire)

Jeff Smith (D-Eau Claire) was first elected to the Senate in 2018. Prior to that, he served in the Assembly from 2006-2010. Previously, Sen. Smith served as Minority Caucus Chair in 2021, and last session served as Assistant Minority Leader. Sen. Smith is a full-time legislator, but previously owned and operated a window cleaning business.

2027-2028 Assembly Democratic Leadership

At their caucus today, Democrats elected the following to Assembly Leadership for the 2027-2028 session:

Speaker of the Assembly - Greta Neubauer (D-Racine)

Greta Neubauer (D-Racine) was first elected to the Assembly in a 2018 special election and has served as Assembly Minority Leader since 2022. Prior to joining the Legislature, Rep. Neubauer worked as a legislative aide to former State Rep. Cory Mason and served as Director and Cofounder of the Fossil Fuel Divestment Student Network.

Speaker Pro Tempore - Lisa Subeck (D-Madison)

Lisa Subeck (D-Madison) was first elected to the Assembly in 2014 and most recently served as Minority Caucus Chair. Prior to joining the Legislature, Rep. Subeck served two terms on the Madison Common Council and worked as Executive Director of United Wisconsin and NARAL Pro-Choice Wisconsin.

Majority Leader - Kalan Haywood (D-Milwaukee)

Kalan Haywood (D-Milwaukee) was first elected to the Assembly in 2018 and most recently served as Assistant Minority Leader. He also served as the Ranking Democrat on the Assembly committees on Housing and Real Estate and Transportation. Rep. Haywood previously worked as a nonprofit consultant.

Assistant Majority Leader - Mike Bare (D-Verona)

Mike Bare (D-Verona) was first elected to the Assembly in 2022 and most recently served as Minority Caucus Secretary. Rep. He was a member of the Verona City Council from 2013-2014 and the Dane County Board from 2020-2023. In addition to serving as an elected official, Rep. Bare is the Co-owner of the Biergarten at Olbrich Park and is a former researcher and advocate at the Community Advocates Public Policy Institute.

Caucus Chair - Clinton Anderson (D-Beloit)

Clinton Anderson (D-Beloit) was first elected to the Assembly in 2022 and most recently served as Minority Caucus Vice-Chair. Prior to joining the Legislature, Rep. Anderson served on the Beloit City Council from 2017 to 2023, including as council president.

Caucus Vice-Chair - Karen DeSanto (D-Baraboo)

Karen DeSanto (D-Baraboo) was first elected to the Assembly in 2024. Prior to joining the Legislature, Rep. DeSanto served as CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of West Central Wisconsin and as President of the State Alliance of Wisconsin Clubs.

Caucus Secretary - Ann Roe (D-Janesville)

Ann Roe (D-Janesville) was first elected to the Assembly in 2024. Rep. Roe is a small business owner and previously worked with several Janesville-area nonprofits and taught at UW-Whitewater’s College of Business and Economics.

Sergeant at Arms - Margaret Arney (D-Wauwatosa)

Margaret Arney (D-Wauwatosa) was first elected to the Assembly in 2024. She has worked for more than 30 years in the non-profit sector as a program developer, fundraiser and teacher. She has also served on the Wauwatosa City Council since 2022.

2027-2028 Assembly Republican Leadership

At their caucus today, Republicans elected the following to Assembly Leadership for the 2027-2028 session:

Minority Leader - Tyler August (R-Lake Geneva)

Tyler August (R-Lake Geneva) was first elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2010. Before joining the Legislature, Rep. August worked as former State Rep. Tom Lothian's chief of staff. Rep. August has served as the Speaker Pro Tempore from 2013-2021 and was elected Majority Leader in 2022.

Assistant Minority Leader - Nate Gustafson (R-Omro)

Nate Gustafson (R-Omro) was first elected to the Assembly in 2022. Rep. Gustafson previously served as a Winnebago County Board Supervisor. He is the founder and CEO of Glacier Valley Applications. 

Caucus Chair - Mark Born (R-Beaver Dam)

Mark Born (R-Beaver Dam) was first elected to the Assembly in 2012. He previously served on the Beaver Damn Fire and Police Commission from 2003-2005 and served on the Beaver Dam City Council from 2005-2009. Rep. Born is a full time legislator.

Caucus Vice Chair - Joy Goeben (R-Hobart)

Joy Goeben (R-Hobart) was first elected to the Assembly in 2022. Rep. Goeben previously worked as a elementary school teacher and was aa small business owner. Last Session she served on the Speakers Task Force on Human Trafficking. 

Secretary - Barb Dittrich (R-Oconomowoc)

Barb Dittrich (R-Oconomowoc) was first elected to the Assembly in 2018. Before joining the legislature Rep. Dittrich was a nonprofit founder and leader, financial advisor and a small business owner. 

Sergeant at Arms - William Penterman (R-Hustisford)

William Penterman (R-Hustisford) was first elected to the Assembly in 2021 in a special election. Before joining the legislature Rep. Penterman was a Staff Sergeant in the United States Army Reserve. 

2027-2028 Senate Republican Leadership

At their caucus last week, Republicans elected the following to Senate Leadership for the 2027-2028 session:

Minority Leader - Julian Bradley (R-New Berlin)

Julian Bradley (R-New Berlin) was first elected to the Senate in 2020. During the 2025-26 Session, Sen. Bradley chaired the Committee on Utilities, Technology and Tourism and served on the Joint Committee on Finance. Prior to being elected to the State Senate, Senator Bradley worked as a telecommunications manager for Century Link and as an operations manager for Northwestern Mutual.

Assistant Minority Leader - Romaine Quinn (R-Birchwood)

Romaine Quinn (R-Birchwood) was first elected to the Senate in 2022 after previously serving in the Assembly from 2014-2020, including as Majority Caucus Vice Chair. Prior to joining the Legislature, Sen. Quinn served as Mayor of Rice Lake and worked as a Coca-Cola salesman.

Caucus Chair - Rachael Cabral-Guevara (R-Fox Crossing)

Rachael Cabral-Guevara (R-Fox Crossing) was first elected to the Senate in 2022 after serving one term in the Assembly. She most recently served as Majority Caucus Vice Chair. Sen. Cabral-Guevara is a licensed nurse practitioner and small business owner.

Caucus Vice Chair - Dan Feyen (R-Fond du Lac)

Dan Feyen (R-Fond du Lac) was first elected to the Senate in 2016 and most recently served as Assistant Majority Leader. Prior to joining the Legislature, Sen. Feyen worked for a printing company in Fond du Lac for 29 years.