MADISON, Wis. — Following the recent elections, Democrats have made significant strides in the Wisconsin Legislature, thanks to newly drawn district lines, which positions them for potential majority control in the next two years.
 
Democrats entered the elections optimistic that the newly established maps would lead them to regain control of the state Assembly for the first time in over a decade. While they were unable to achieve that goal, their gains were noteworthy, especially in light of Republican Donald Trump’s victory in Wisconsin.
 
“With the implementation of fair district maps and a well-thought-out strategy, the Republican Party’s lengthy dominance in Wisconsin’s legislature is coming to an end,” stated Heather Williams, the president of the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, which is responsible for strengthening Democratic representation in state legislatures.
 
The Republicans have maintained control over both the Senate and Assembly since 2011, barring a brief six-month period in 2021 when Democrats leveraged recall elections to secure a Senate majority. The GOP’s stronghold has largely been supported by gerrymandered district lines that dilute the voting power of Democratic voters.
 
Last year, the state Supreme Court, now led by liberal justices, invalidated the previous maps, allowing Democratic Governor Tony Evers to create new district boundaries. Democrats openly campaigned over the summer, believing these changes would lead to capturing the Assembly as well as winning enough Senate seats to potentially secure a majority in 2026.
 
The strategy was partially successful. Although Democrats did not gain control of the Assembly, preliminary results indicated that they were able to flip 10 Republican-held seats, reducing the GOP’s dominance from 64-35 in the last session to 52-43, with four elections still pending.
 
Eight of these flipped seats became available due to retirements and the new district lines. Democrats also managed to unseat two Republican incumbents: Tom Michalski, who represented areas in the western suburbs of Milwaukee, and Loren Oldenberg, who covered parts of western Wisconsin near La Crosse.
 
“Achieving a shift in the makeup of a legislative body is challenging, but we have significantly transformed the dynamic in the legislature and laid the groundwork for more progress ahead,” stated Assembly Democratic Minority Leader Greta Neubauer in a recent statement. “Our efforts will continue.”
 
Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos did not immediately provide comments but was expected to speak at a scheduled press conference at the state Capitol later in the day.
 
On the Senate front, Democrats successfully flipped two additional Republican seats as of midday Wednesday.
 
Sarah Keyeski defeated GOP incumbent Joan Ballweg in south-central Wisconsin. Additionally, Jamie Wall, who serves as the Vice President of the Green Bay Water Commission, won against Republican Jim Rafter in a northeastern Wisconsin open seat. The district held by Republican Eric Wimberger was redrawn, and he re-conquered his position on election night.
 
These victories narrowed the Republican advantage in the Senate from 22-11 to 18-13, with two additional races still awaiting results. Notably, these Democratic gains eliminated the GOP’s supermajority in the chamber, preventing Republicans from overriding any vetoes made by Governor Evers in the upcoming legislative session that begins in January. This shift also puts Democrats within reach of a majority in the next elections.
 
Senate Democratic Minority Leader Diane Hesselbein has not yet responded to requests for interviews.
 
Republican Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu attributed the Democratic gains primarily to the new district lines and significant campaign expenditures. Over the first half of 2024, candidates and legislative campaign committees raised nearly $16 million. Independent groups also invested about $2 million in the Wall-Rafter race and nearly $1 million in the Keyeski-Ballweg race.
 
LeMahieu also criticized the Democrats for allegedly misrepresenting Republican positions on key issues like birth control and in-vitro fertilization.
 
“It’s disappointing,” he remarked, adding that Trump’s win in Wisconsin reflects the continued support for Republicans. “We are committed to connecting with voters and advocating for Wisconsin’s priorities.”
 
Looking ahead, LeMahieu shared that the GOP is strategizing for the 2026 elections, ensuring strong incumbents will have time to connect with their constituents before the next campaign.
 
“The year 2026 may seem distant, but we are preparing, focusing on responsible governance in the meantime,” he concluded.
 
Despite Trump’s win in Wisconsin, the recent elections showed Democrats making noteworthy advances in both the Senate and Assembly as they gear up for a major push for control in 2026.
 
The new legislative district configurations didn’t fully result in the desired outcomes for Wisconsin Democrats, yet they have positioned themselves well for a determined effort toward securing majorities in the near future.
 
The Republicans have maintained their legislative dominance over the last 13 years, largely attributed to gerrymandered district lines designed to concentrate their base while dissipating Democratic voter influence.
 
The GOP has effectively utilized these majorities to shape state policies impacting various facets of governance in Wisconsin.