In this update:

Election Updates
Administration Updates
Legislative Updates
Committee Schedule
Upcoming Events

Election Updates

Felzkowski to remain in the state senate

State Senator Mary Felzkowski (R-Tomahawk) announced she will not seek higher office at this time. Instead, she will continue serving as the Senator for Wisconsin’s 12th Senate District. Sen. Felzkowski had been considered a possible contender to succeed US Rep. Tom Tiffany in Wisconsin’s 7th Congressional District. In a press release, Sen. Felzkowksi stated:

I have spent my entire life in Wisconsin’s Northwoods, growing up working on my family’s Christmas tree farm, raising my children, and running a small business. I love the Northwoods, and representing the people of Northern Wisconsin in Madison is a true honor.

After months of thought, prayer, and discussions with my husband, I have decided to not seek higher office. This is not the right time for my family, and besides, I love representing my constituents in Madison as a State Senator. There’s a lot of work still to be done in Wisconsin, and I look forward to continuing to fight for a brighter future in our state.

I am truly grateful for all those who have reached out with words of encouragement and support over the last several months, and I make this decision knowing that the Northwoods will continue to have strong representation in both Washington, D.C., and Madison.

James running for 31st SD

In a press release, State Senator Jesse James (R-Thorpe), who currently represents the 23rd Senate District, has announced that he will return to Altoona at the end of his term and is planning to run for the 31st Senate District next year.

Senator James stated, “I am ready to come home. When the maps changed, my home in Altoona was drawn out of my district. I no longer represented Eau Claire County, my home, and my community. The district I was elected to included four new counties and new constituents who did not vote for me. Back home, I was no longer the State Senator for my wife and my family. However, in order to honor the voters who elected me to serve, I chose to uproot my home to finish my term.”

Assistant Minority Leader Jeff Smith (D-Brunswick) has held the 31st Senate District since 2019 and said he will run for reelection in the district as well.

In 2024, Former VP Kamala Harris won the 31st SD by 2.2 percentage-points while US. Senator Tammy Baldwin won by 4.7 percentage-points. Meanwhile, during the 2025 race for State Supreme Court — Susan Crawford — the liberal candidate won by 18 percentage-points. The 31st Senate District is one of four seats that will play a crucial role in determining the balance of power in the state Senate in 2026. The other competitive Senate Districts include the 5th, 17th, and 21st.

Read the full press release here.

Quinn running for 23rd SD

State Senator Romaine Quinn has announced his candidacy for Wisconsin’s 23rd Senate District. Senator Quinn currently serves the 25th Senate District, though redistricting has significantly altered its boundaries since his initial election.

“The newly drawn 23rd Senate District is a place I have called home for most of my life. District lines may have changed, but what remains the same is my commitment to representing the values of northern Wisconsin,” Sen. Quinn said.

State Senator Jesse James currently holds the 23rd Senate District and has announced he will be running for reelection in a different district in 2026.

The 23rd Senate District is a safe Republican seat. President Donald Trump won 66.8% of the vote in 2024, while Senator Ron Johnson won 64.6%.

Read the full press release here.

Ripley announces bid for 13th SD

Educator Sasha Ripley officially announces her candidacy for the 13th State Senate District. Ms. Ripley brings firsthand experience of the economic struggles many Wisconsin families face as she was raised in a low-income household. She has worked to support herself, put herself through college as a single mother—all while preparing to serve her community as a public school and GED teacher.

Ms. Ripley is running to ensure that working-class families are no longer sidelined in state policymaking. Her campaign centers on elevating the voices and needs of everyday Wisconsinites who deserve a government that works for them.

“I am running to represent Wisconsin’s 13th State Senate District because I have seen the way our status quo is leaving people behind. I’ve been there myself, a single mom working to put myself through school, and I know that our state can and must be doing more to support our hardworking families. This campaign is about reaching out to everyone, regardless of political party, to show them that they deserve more from their elected officials and that I will be a tireless advocate for the people of the 13th district in Madison.” Ripley said.

Senate Democratic Leader Dianne Hesselbein has endorsed Ms. Ripley’s campaign stating, “Sasha’s story reflects the hard work and determination we champion here in Wisconsin. Her drive to promote an economy that works for the middle class makes her an excellent choice to represent the 13th Senate District. It’s long past time the district had the leader they deserve, Sasha embodies that leadership. A dedicated teacher and mother, she is poised to tackle the tough issues because she’s lived them herself. I’m excited to help such a talented candidate in joining our new majority. Sasha will be an outstanding partner in driving positive change for our state”.

The 13th Senate District of Wisconsin is currently represented by Senator John Jagler (R-Watertown). He was first elected in a 2021 special election following the resignation of former Senator Scott Fitzgerald who held the position from 1995-2021 before leaving to serve in Congress. The 13th Senate District is a safe Republican seat. President Donald Trump won 64.6% of the vote in 2024, while Senator Ron Johnson won 62.7%.

Wikler says he won’t run for governor

Former chairman of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, Ben Wikler, told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that he will not run for governor in 2026. Instead, Mr. Wikler said he will spend time with his family and help other Democrats win races. “I know we have an extraordinary field of candidates and for me the chance to actually reconnect with my family after six years of constant, hyper-intense work as the state party chair is the kind of opportunity you only get a few times in a lifetime," said Mr. Wikler.

During his time as chairman of the state Democratic party, Mr. Wikler was a prolific fundraiser and was able to bring national attention to a variety of pivotal campaigns in Wisconsin. He said he planned to continue working throughout 2026 on the “Governor Readiness Project,” a program established last month by DPW and Gov. Evers to ensure “the party's already built the kind of apparatus that the next gubernatorial nominee will need.”

Administration Updates

DOA releases annual fiscal report for FY25

A new report from the Department of Administration (DOA) found the state closed fiscal year (FY) 2025 with a General Fund balance of $4.6 billion, surpassing an earlier projection from the Legislative Fiscal Bureau in August by more than $265 million. In addition, the report found Wisconsin’s Budget Stabilization Fund, commonly known as the “rainy day” fund, has grown to $2 billion—the highest balance in state history according to Gov. Evers’ office.

In a press release highlighting the report, Gov. Evers touted the increased general fund balance calling it “great news for our state’s financial future, especially given all of the national economic uncertainty and volatility we’re facing today.” The Governor also said he looks forward to “continuing to work across the aisle to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars while making smart and strategic investments to protect the future that we’ve worked hard to build together.”

Meanwhile, Assembly JFC Co-Chair Mark Born (R-Beaver Dam) said the state’s strong fiscal position was “in spite of Governor Evers’ proposals, not because of them.” Rep. Born credited Republicans for blocking Gov. Evers’ proposed agenda that would have created a structural deficit through “billions in new spending, much of it unsustainable.” In the Senate, JFC Co-Chair Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green) said “When I was elected, the state was facing a $3 billion deficit. Thanks to more than a decade of sound fiscal policy, the state’s general fund has a healthy balance. The final FY 25 ending balance reported in the Annual Fiscal Report is about what we expected.”

Evers announces appointees to WTCS Board

Governor Tony Evers announced five appointments to the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) Board, including three new members and two reappointments. Daniel Sperberg and Douglas Holton will continue their service on the Board, while Frances Huntley-Cooper, Dr. Michael Rosen, and Eli Guthrie will join as newly appointed members.

“Our technical colleges are critical to building a 21st-century workforce Wisconsin needs to support 21st-century economy, and we’re grateful to each of these board members for their commitment to upholding our technical college system’s mission to serve its students,” Gov. Evers said. “Our WTCS Board members represent a variety of backgrounds, which is essential to ensuring our technical colleges are successful and the Board is representative of the students, faculty, and staff that make up these institutions.”

Francis Huntly-Cooper brings decades of public service and leadership to the Board. She spent 28 years as a social worker with Dane County’s Department of Human Services and made history in 1991 as Wisconsin’s first elected African American mayor, serving the city of Fitchburg. Her career later included leading the Division of Worker’s Compensation at the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, chairing the state’s Worker’s Compensation Advisory Council, and serving as president of the International Association of Industrial Accident Boards and Commissions. Ms. Huntley-Cooper also served 15 years on the Madison College District Board of Trustees, holding roles as chair, vice-chair, and secretary. She holds degrees from North Carolina A&T State University, UW-Madison, and the La Follette School of Public Affairs.
Dr. Michael Rose, a retired economics professor at Milwaukee Area Technical College, taught for 29 years and served nearly 20 years as president of the American Federation of Teachers Local 212. In 2016, he founded the FAST Fund, which has supported over 9,000 students with emergency financial assistance. Mr. Rosen previously served on the WTCS Board (2004-2010), the Governor's Task force on Student Debt, and the College Savings Program Board.
Eli Guthrie, a student at Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC), was recently named CVTC’s ambassador to the WTCS. He is pursuing an associate degree in business management and is expected to graduate in May 2026.

Read the full press release here.

Legislative Updates

Three caucuses hold media availability prior to floor session

Assembly GOP

Assembly Republicans led by Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) honored first responders from across Wisconsin and introduced a series of bills aimed at strengthening emergency medical services and law enforcement coordination. Rep. Tony Kurtz (R-Wonewoc) highlighted Assembly Bills 198 and 199, which propose increasing Medicaid reimbursement rates for EMS providers who treat patients without transport, and expanding access to training through technical colleges. The bills also include support for a pilot program called Live 911, which allows dispatchers to view live footage from emergency callers to improve response accuracy. Rep. Bob Donovan (R-Greenfield) introduced Assembly Bill 278, a Department of Justice-administered pilot project to improve data sharing among police departments, particularly in Southeastern Wisconsin. The initiative aims to streamline communication across jurisdictions and reduce delays in criminal investigations.

Watch the full video

Senate GOP

Senate Republicans led by Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu (R-Oostburg), Sen. Cory Tomczyk (R-Mosinee), Sen. Jesse James (R-Thorp), and Sen. Rachel Cabral Guevara (R-Appleton) highlighted several bills scheduled for debate during the day’s floor session, focusing on education transparency, student behavior, women’s health, and mental health infrastructure. Majority Leader LeMahieu also responded to comments from Democrats about the Senate’s limited session days. “We’re getting a whole host of bills done,” Sen. LeMahieu said. “We’ll be back in November, January, February, and March to continue delivering results for Wisconsin.”

Watch the full video

Senate Democrats

Senate Democrats led by Minority Leader Dianne Hesselbein (D-Madison) held a media availability Thursday morning ahead the floor session, directing attention at the Republican majority for scheduling only seven floor days this year. “It’s been over 90 days since we last met to consider legislative business,” Sen. Hesselbein said. “The fact that Senate Republicans are even here today is unusual. What we’re doing is not enough.” She emphasized that while families face skyrocketing health insurance premiums, farmers struggle with the impact of tariffs, and children go hungry due to cuts in food assistance, the Senate calendar remains nearly empty. “Being in session seven times this year is not enough,” she said. “We need to be working for everybody in the state of Wisconsin and get to work.” The availability concluded with a call for bipartisan cooperation and a renewed push to meet the needs of working families across the state.

Watch the full video

Assembly and Senate Floor Recap

The State Legislature took action on several bills this week, here’s a breakdown of the key measures:

SB-76

Passed 53-43 along party lines; would require prosecutors to obtain approval from a judge before dismissing or amending charges for certain serious offenses, including domestic abuse, sexual assault, and crimes against children.

SB-25

Passed by voice vote; would prohibit judges from conducting probable cause hearings in officer-involved deaths if a district attorney has declined to file charges—unless new or unused evidence emerges.

AB-136

Passed by voice vote; this bill would make it a Class I felony to impersonate a peace officer, firefighter, or emergency medical personnel with intent to mislead.

AB-35

Passed 19-14; allows candidates to voluntarily withdraw from the ballot after submitting nomination papers, even if they are still living.

AB-149

Passed by voice vote; permits a party chair to nominate presidential electors if the party lacks eligible state candidates.

SB-270

Passed by voice vote; allows individuals to appeal Wisconsin Elections Commission decisions in court without proving personal injury.

AB-2

Passed 29-4; requires school boards to adopt policies prohibiting student use of cell phones and other wireless devices during instructional time, with exceptions.

AB-5

Passed 18-15; mandates school boards to respond within 14 days to requests from district residents to review textbooks, curricula, or instructional materials.

SB-264

Passed 32-1; requires health insurance and Medical Assistance to cover supplemental breast cancer screenings for women with dense breast tissue, eliminating cost-sharing for these services.

SJR-88

Passed along party lines; honors the life and legacy of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. A Democratic amendment to condemn all political violence was rejected.

Committee Schedule

The following meetings have been noticed as of 1:00 pm Friday. Committee and Agency meeting notices are frequently updated and can be found here (for the Legislature) and here (for the Administration).

Monday, October 20

No meetings currently scheduled.

Tuesday, October 21

Assembly Committee on Agriculture

Public Hearing at 11:30 AM

Wednesday, October 22

Senate Committee on Health

Public Hearing at 10:00 AM

Assembly Committee on Science, Technology, and AI

Public Hearing at 10:00 AM

Thursday, October 23

Assembly Committee on Operations, Accountability, and Transparency

Informational Hearing at 11:00 AM

Friday, October 24

No meetings currently scheduled.

Upcoming Events

Friday, October 24th at 8:30am - Capitol Chats with Rep. Spreitzer (virtual)

ABOUT US

If you would like any additional information about the above topic, or if you would like to find time to discuss the above matter in more detail, please do not hesitate to contact your Michael Best Strategies contact.

Have a great day,

Wisconsin GR Team