Wisconsin Senate Democrats Declare Victory, Turn Focus to 2026

Democrats in the Wisconsin Senate are already looking ahead to the next election.

The State Senate Democratic Committee on Wednesday morning declared victory in Tuesday’s election, and set the stage for the 2026 election at the same time.

“Senate Democrats defeated Republicans’ manufactured supermajority, and we are on a pathway to the majority in 2026!” Senate Majority Leader Dianne Hesselbein said in a statement. “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.”

Democrats unseated two Republican Senators on Tuesday.

Jodi Habush Sinykin beat Sen. Duey Stroebel, R-Cedarburg, by about 1,700 votes in the newly drawn 8th Senate District in the Milwaukee suburbs.

"As the underdog, she did not shy away from the hard work necessary to win this race. Jodi’s deep ties to the community, thoughtful decision-making, and experience as an attorney will allow her to effectively legislate for the needs of this community," Hesselbein added.

Democrats also knocked-off Sen. Joan Ballweg, R-Pardeeville, in her reshaped 14th District.

Democrat Sarah Keyeski won that race by about 2,000 votes.

“Keyeski ran a successful campaign against a tough incumbent in one of the state’s most competitive districts,” Hesselbein said.

Democrats picked-up a third seat in the Green Bay-area, in the newly drawn 30th District.

Democrat Jamie Wall beat Republican challenger Jim Rafter by about 5,000 votes.

The new 30th District is one of the most re-drawn in the state.

Gov. Tony Evers redrew the state’s electoral maps earlier this year. In the 30th, he drew Sen. Eric Wimberger, R-Green Bay, out of the district. Wimberger instead ran in, and won, the 2nd Senate District.

The Democratic wins mean Republicans will no longer have a supermajority in the State Senate. They will have a majority, but Republicans in the Senate will not be able to override Gov. Evers as they have in the past.

Wisconsin Republicans held most of their seats in the State Assembly.

Wednesday’s early vote count suggested that Republicans will have at least a three seat majority when the new legislature is sworn-in in January.

“Thanks to fair maps and a smart strategy, the GOP’s stranglehold on Wisconsin’s legislature is coming to an end. Wisconsin represents one of the most compelling success stories of the DLCC’s work to build Democratic power in the face of structural barriers. For years, the DLCC has been on the ground working with in-state partners to resist Republicans’ gerrymandered grip on the legislature. When new maps finally emerged this cycle, the DLCC worked hand-in-hand with our partners and allies in Wisconsin to take full advantage of the opportunity, and today we see the results,” Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee President Heather Williams said in a statement. 

“Our 2024 wins mark just the beginning. Seat by seat, the DLCC is committed to continuing to build and defend Democratic power in the Wisconsin legislature. Republicans have been put on notice: the DLCC is poised to make Wisconsin a future Democratic trifecta.”