Wisconsinites will vote for state Assembly and Senate candidates in a primary on Aug. 11 and in the general election Nov. 3, 2026.
This is the second election under more competitive district maps.
Two Democrats are running for Assembly District 12. The Democrat to receive the most votes Aug. 11 will advance to the November election.
What do the Wisconsin Senate and Assembly do?
The Wisconsin Legislature is made up of 99 Assembly representatives and 33 senators from across Wisconsin. Together, they have the power to create, amend and repeal laws.
The Legislature plays a major role in deciding how to use taxpayer-funded state revenue every two years in the biennial budget. Whether more or less money is spent on education, economic development, tax relief — that is decided by the majority in the Legislature, along with Wisconsin's governor, who has to sign the budget, and other bills, into law.
What's at stake?
The Wisconsin Legislature has been firmly controlled by Republicans for more than a decade, under gerrymandered legislative maps.
Those maps were thrown out by the liberal-majority Wisconsin Supreme Court in 2023, which prompted the Legislature to approve new maps proposed by Gov. Tony Evers.
Democrats now have a chance of winning the majority in the state Senate, if they win a handful competitive districts.
Republicans are likely to maintain their majority in the Assembly. According to JR Ross with WisPolitics.com, Democrats would have to sweep almost all of the "swing" seats and hold on to a few they won by the skin of their teeth in 2024, to have a chance of gaining a majority in the Assembly.
Assembly District 12
Wisconsin Assembly District 12 covers the far north of the city of Milwaukee, as well as part of northern Wauwatosa and western Brown Deer. Current Rep. Russell Goodwin, a Democrat, is running for reelection against another Democrat, Jordan Roman.
WUWM sent a questionnaire to the candidates. Their responses below may be edited for length and clarity.
Meet the candidates
Russell Antonio Goodwin, Sr. (Democrat, incumbent)
Current occupation: Incumbent State Legislator, Business Owner
Why are you running for this office?
I am running for reelection because I believe the people of the 12th Assembly District deserve a representative who delivers results, listens to constituents, and puts people before politics. It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve our community. During my first term, I have worked on more than 500 pieces of legislation, passed over 40 bills in the Assembly, and had more than 20 signed into law by the Governor. I want to continue improving public safety, strengthening our schools, lowering property taxes, supporting working families, and expanding economic opportunity while remaining accessible and accountable to every resident.
In WUWM's election survey, affordability is the top concern listed by voters. How would you work to address cost of living issues in Wisconsin?
The rising cost of living is one of the biggest challenges facing Wisconsin families. I have supported measures to provide meaningful tax relief, including voting to eliminate the state income tax on tips and overtime, lower property taxes, and return a portion of Wisconsin’s budget surplus through $300 rebates for individuals and $600 for families. I also support increasing the state’s share of school funding to reduce pressure on local property taxes, expanding workforce development, supporting small businesses, and increasing affordable housing. Wisconsin families deserve policies that help them keep more of what they earn while strengthening our economy and protecting essential public services.
A Marquette poll earlier this year found 70% of WI voters think the costs of large data centers are greater than the benefits they provide. How do you plan to address concerns about data centers?
Data centers can create jobs and attract investment, but they must also be good neighbors. Any incentives should provide a clear return for taxpayers and include transparency and accountability. We must carefully evaluate their impact on energy use, water resources, local infrastructure, and surrounding communities. Economic development should benefit Wisconsin families while protecting taxpayers and ensuring local governments and residents have a meaningful voice before major projects move forward.
What are your top state budget priorities?
My priorities are lowering property taxes, strengthening public education, improving public safety, and supporting working families. I support increasing the state’s share of school funding, raising special education reimbursement, investing in mental health and workforce development, maintaining roads and infrastructure, and helping communities grow economically. Wisconsin should continue being fiscally responsible while making strategic investments that improve quality of life and create opportunities for future generations.
How do you plan to remain accountable to the people of Wisconsin?
Accountability starts with being accessible. I regularly meet with constituents, attend community events, visit schools and local businesses, respond to phone calls and emails, and remain visible throughout the district. I believe elected officials should listen before making decisions and be transparent about their work. I will continue holding myself accountable by communicating openly, working across differences, and putting the interests of the people I represent ahead of politics.
Please list any notable endorsements you've received.
I am honored to have received endorsements from the Wisconsin Education Association Council (WEAC), the Milwaukee Police Association (MPA), Service Employees International Union (SEIU), the Wisconsin State Conference of IBEW, and the NASW-WI Social Workers PAC. I have also received support from Plumbers Local 75, the Wisconsin Assisted Living Association (WALA), the Wisconsin REALTORS Association, and numerous community leaders and organizations throughout the district.
Jordan Roman (Democrat)
Current occupation: Independent Contract Consultant/Chief Operating Officer
Why are you running for this office?
I'm running for the WI State Assembly because I believe our community deserves leadership that is present, accountable and focused on the people. I'm running to fight for stronger communities, quality education, affordable housing, economic opportunity, and greater access to resources for our seniors and families. I believe everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive, not just get by.
In WUWM's election survey, affordability is the top concern listed by voters. How would you work to address cost of living issues in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin families are being squeezed by the rising costs of housing, groceries, healthcare, childcare, and transportation. We need practical solutions that make life more affordable by expanding workforce and affordable housing, reforming our outdated school funding system to reduce property tax burdens, investing in quality childcare and healthcare, supporting small businesses and good-paying union jobs, addressing food deserts, and improving reliable public transportation. My focus is to help families keep more of what they earn, create economic opportunity, and build a Wisconsin where everyone has a fair chance to thrive, not just get by.
A Marquette poll earlier this year found 70% of WI voters think the costs of large data centers are greater than the benefits they provide. How do you plan to address concerns about data centers?
I support responsible economic development, including emerging industries like data centers, but large projects must benefit the communities that host them. Before approval, proposals should undergo rigorous environmental review, protect our groundwater and air quality, strengthen our electric grid, and ensure developers pay their fair share of infrastructure costs. Projects should create good-paying union jobs, include meaningful local input, and provide transparent public reporting. Economic growth should never come at the expense of our environment, property values, utility bills, or quality of life. Wisconsin can grow while putting people first.
What are your top state budget priorities?
My budget priorities begin with investing in people. I will fight to fully fund quality education while reforming our outdated school funding system, expand affordable housing, make childcare and healthcare more affordable, and support workforce development, apprenticeships, and good-paying union jobs. I also support investing in mental health, public safety through prevention and community partnerships, reliable transportation, senior services, and addressing food deserts. Every budget dollar should be transparent, accountable, and focused on improving outcomes for working families while growing Wisconsin's economy and expanding opportunity for all.
How do you plan to remain accountable to the people of Wisconsin?
Accountability starts with being present. I will remain accessible by holding regular community listening sessions, attending neighborhood meetings and local events, maintaining open communication with constituents, and providing transparent updates on my work in the Assembly. I will seek input before major votes whenever possible, explain my decisions, and be responsive to questions and concerns. My job is to represent the people of the 12th Assembly District, not special interests. I believe leadership is earned through trust, visibility, and showing up consistently, not just during election season.
Please list any notable endorsements you've received.
- Wisconsin Progress
- Fair Wisconsin
- Our Wisconsin Revolution
- Wisconsin Conservation Voters
- Working Families Party
