Control of the Wisconsin State Senate was arguably more impacted by the outcome of the Democratic primary than by any individual Senate primary. Currently, Republicans hold an 18–15 majority in the Senate. Wisconsin senators are elected to four-year terms, and every two years, half of the seats are up for reelection. This year, the odd-numbered […]
Wisconsin Primary Recap
Date Fri, Aug. 14, 2026 - 2:56pm By Hamilton
Democratic Gubernatorial Primary Wisconsin has once again been in the national headlines (for example, here, here, here and here) this week after an unexpected outcome in the Democratic gubernatorial primary. Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley eked out a victory of roughly 3,000 votes—a 0.4 percent margin—over state Rep. Francesca Hong, a democratic socialist from […]
After a Dramatic Push, Senate Votes Down Property Tax & Education Package
Date Fri, May. 15, 2026 - 9:33am By Hamilton
Since the conclusion of the regular session in March, there has continued to be discussion among Governor Evers and Republican legislative leaders about a possible property tax and education package. This week, the Governor and GOP leaders announced a compromise package and hailed it as a bipartisan achievement. However, just a few days later, the […]
Lawmakers retiring or not seeking reelection to Wisconsin Legislature
Date Fri, May. 15, 2026 - 9:23am By Hamilton
As the 2026 election cycle takes shape, several members of the Wisconsin State Legislature have announced they will not seek reelection or are retiring from public office. These departures will create open seats in both the Assembly and the Senate, setting the stage for new candidates and potential shifts in legislative priorities in the sessions […]
Brooks, O’Connor Join Growing List of Legislators Not Seeking Reelection
Date Fri, Apr. 10, 2026 - 9:03am By Hamilton
Reps. Robert Brooks (R-Saukville) and Jerry O’Connor (R-Fond Du Lac) have announced they will not seek reelection to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2026, adding to a growing list of lawmakers who plan to leave the Legislature at the end of the current term. Brooks has served in the Assembly since 2015, representing a southeastern […]
Senate Holds Final Floor Day
Date Fri, Mar. 20, 2026 - 9:26am By Hamilton
On Tuesday, March 17, the Wisconsin State Senate held their final general session floor day for the 2025-26 legislative session. The Senate calendar included several headline-making topics, including bills on online sports betting gambling (AB 601), PFAS, FoodShare (SNAP) benefits, and name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals for student athletes. The two most watched items […]
LeMahieu, Fellow Legislators Announce Wave of Retirements
Date Fri, Mar. 20, 2026 - 9:23am By Hamilton
A growing number of retirements in the Wisconsin State Legislature are setting the stage for significant turnover ahead of the 2026 elections, with departures spanning both the Senate and Assembly. In the Senate, Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu announced he will not seek reelection, marking the end of his tenure as one of the chamber’s top […]
Governor Calls Special Session to Address Gerrymandering
Date Fri, Mar. 6, 2026 - 9:41am By Hamilton
Tony Evers signed an executive order calling the Wisconsin Legislature into a special session on April 14, 2026, to consider a constitutional amendment aimed at banning partisan gerrymandering. Under the proposal, lawmakers would consider language prohibiting the drawing of legislative districts in a way that gives an unfair advantage to a particular political party. To […]
Assembly Floor Session 2-19-26
Date Mon, Feb. 23, 2026 - 9:27am By Hamilton
It was expected to be the final night of the Assembly’s legislative session; however, the body did not complete its work and reconvened on Friday, February 20, for one last day. Still, Thursday’s floor session featured several significant moments — including a rare bipartisan celebration of the passage of legislation extending Medicaid coverage for postpartum […]
Governor Evers Delivers Final State of the State
Date Mon, Feb. 23, 2026 - 9:19am By Hamilton
On Tuesday February 17, Governor Evers gave his final State of the State speech to a joint meeting of the Senate and Assembly and declared 2026 the “Year of the Neighbor.” He called for action to modernize Wisconsin’s aging prison system, increase state support for the FoodShare program to avoid federal penalties, and reach agreement […]