Election Updates

Turnout in Wisconsin

This election set a record turnout in Wisconsin history. Wisconsin’s turnout topped 3.4 million voters, the most in raw numbers for an election in state history. Based on unofficial results, it was approximately 73% of the voting age population, falling short to the record of 73.24% in 2004. In the last presidential election, the turnout was nearly 3.3 million votes, approximately 72.94% of the state’s voting age population.

Reactions to Tuesday’s election

Republican and Democratic leaders in the state shared thoughts and reactions following Tuesday’s election results.

Assembly Democratic Leader Neubauer (D): “Things are going to change in the legislature. We have strong candidates from around the state joining the caucus. Fair maps have allowed voters to hold legislators accountable, and this will change how policy is written and what bills move through the legislature. I hope and expect that this shift will result in more collaboration and bipartisan work in the legislature, because that is what the people of Wisconsin have asked us to do.”

Senate Democratic Leader Dianne Hesselbein (D): “Senate Democrats defeated Republicans’ manufactured supermajority, and we are on a pathway to the majority in 2026! Our candidates knocked on thousands of doors, listened to voters, and clearly articulated their vision for Wisconsin. Senate Democrats will tirelessly defend our shared values and uplift working families.”

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R): "We were able to win maps drawn by a federal court, a state court, by the legislature and by the Democrats... So, we have won under every scenario that's possible, Democrats have only made gains when they have gerrymandered districts...Now we get the chance to set the agenda for the rest of the state with our colleagues in the state Senate."

Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu (R): Going forward, legislative Republicans will “have to figure out a way to combat” Democratic spending in races. “Our number one priority is to get our surplus back to the voters, and until we do that, that's the most important thing, because people are struggling with paying their bills and buying groceries."

Assembly Majority Leader Tyler August (R): "I believe if you were to ask most people in the state of Wisconsin if Assembly Republicans would be standing here today at 54 seats, given everything we were up against ― including a gerrymandered map that the governor instilled using his liberal allies on the state Supreme Court — that most people wouldn't believe it. But we believed we could be here the entire time, and our candidates believed in it too."

Lawmakers seek leadership positions

Senate and Assembly Republicans and Democrats have begun holding partisan caucuses to introduce the new member-elects to their existing members and elect their leaders for the 2025-2026 Session.

These are the dates for each caucus:

Senate Republicans: Caucused Thursday, November 7th
Assembly Republicans: Will caucus Tuesday, November 12th
Senate Democrats: Will caucus Tuesday, November 12th
Assembly Democrats: Will caucus Tuesday, November 19th

The Senate Republicans caucused on Thursday afternoon to vote on their leadership positions. Ahead of the caucus meeting, Sen. Chris Kapenga told WisPolitics that he would not seek re-election to his position as Senate President and pledged to help Sen. Mary Felzkowski transition into the role. During caucus, Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu (Oostburg), President Pro Tempore Pat Testin (Stevens Point), Assistant Majority Leader Dan Feyen (Fond du Lac), and Caucus Chair Van Wanggaard (Racine) were all re-elected. Sen. Mary Felzkowski (Irma) was elected Senate President and Senator Rachael Cabral-Guevara (Appleton) was elected to Vice Caucus Chair.

The Assembly Republicans will hold caucus on Tuesday to vote on leadership posts. Current Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (Rochester) and Assembly Majority Leader Tyler August (Walworth) announced they will seek re-election for their current roles. Other current members of leadership told WisPolitics of their re-election bids: Speaker Pro Tempore Kevin Petersen (Waupaca), Majority Caucus Chair Rob Summerfield (Bloomer), Majority Caucus Sergeant at Arms Treig Pronschinske (Mondovi), and Caucus Secretary Nancy VanderMeer (Tomah) plan to re-run. Rep. Nate Gustafson (Fox Crossing) also announced his intentions to run for Caucus Secretary. The position of Assistant Majority Leader is open after Rep. Jon Plumer (Lodi) chose to not seek re-election. Rep. Scott Krug (Nekoosa) and Rep. Shae Sortwell (Two Rivers) are seeking to fill the position.

The Senate Democrats will also caucus on Tuesday. Senate Minority Leader Dianne Hesselbein (Middleton) is running for her post for a full term. Assistant Minority Leader Jeff Smith (Eau Claire) and Caucus Chair Chris Larson (Milwaukee) are running for their posts again. Caucus Vice-Chair Mark Spreitzer (Beloit) is running against Sen. Larson for Caucus Chair.

The Assembly Democrats will meet to caucus on November 19th. Only Assembly Minority Leader Greta Neubauer (Racine) has publicly shared her plans to run again for her post. No other members have announced their re-election or election plans. During the 2023-2024 session, Rep. Kalan Haywood (Milwaukee) served as Assistant Minority Leader, Rep. Lisa Subeck (Madison) served as Minority Caucus Chair, Rep. Jill Billings (La Crosse) served as Minority Caucus Vice-Chair, Rep. Mike Bare (Verona) served as Minority Caucus Secretary, and Rep. Lee Snodgrass (Appleton) served as Minority Caucus Sergeant at Arms.

2025-2026 Legislature Biographies

Please find below your full guide to who is who in the 2025-2026 Wisconsin State Legislature (Please note: all newly elected members will remain Representative-elects or Senator-elects until their inauguration on January 6th.)

Upcoming Events

Coffee with the Candidates:

Friday, December 6th at 8:30 AM: 47th Assembly District Representative-Elect Randy Udell (D-Madison) virtual

January 15th at 11:30 AM - Meet the Cabinet: Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation Secretary Missy Hughes (virtual and in-person options available)

RSVP to Barb Stevenson at Barb.Stevenson@michaelbest.com if you'd like to attend these events

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

Government Relations Team

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