Wisconsinites will vote for state Assembly and Senate candidates in the general election Nov. 5, 2024.
This is the first election under newly-competitive district maps.
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 last year, which prompted the Legislature to approve new maps proposed by Gov. Tony Evers.
Democrats now have a chance of winning the majority in the Assembly, if they win a handful competitive districts.
In the Senate, only half of the seats are up for election, which means Republicans are likely to hold a majority in that chamber for the next two years at least. But Democrats are still working to flip some of the seats.
Assembly District 13
Wisconsin Assembly District 13 contains most of Wauwatosa, along with Elm Grove and much of northern Brookfield.
According to WisPolitics, two lawmakers — Democrat Robyn Vining and Republican Tom Michalski were drawn in to the new district map.
Tom Michalski beat another Republican, Patti Granger, in the Aug. 13 primary. Michalski and Vining will face each other in the Nov. 5 general election.
The district leans approximately 57.5% Democratic.
WUWM sent a questionnaire to the candidates. Their responses below may be edited for length and clarity.
Meet the candidates
Tom Michalski (Republican, incumbent)
What motivated you to run for this office?
My original motivation (2022) was to use my over 25 years of combined experience in Local Government to end the financial squeeze the State Government placed on Municipalities. With the help of the 12 other new freshmen, we changed shared revenue.
Now, the motivation is to use my experience in the assembly to continue helping local government serve the citizens of District 13 and the rest of the State
What concerns are you hearing from constituents, and how do you plan to address those if elected?
Constituents are unhappy with a Government that doesn't work for them. At a time when inflation is foremost on their minds, the Government takes and keeps too much of their money. The State's budget surplus continues to grow, and the Governor continues to ask for tax increases.
What would success look like for you at the end of your term?
I have a three-point test: Reduce families' tax load, help municipalities accomplish their core functions, and Pass common-sense legislation that helps people.
What distinguishes your experience from the other candidate(s) in this race?
I am a common-sense conservative who has lived in the district for over 35 years, has over 19 years of combined experience as a locally elected official, and has a track record of working with others to pass common-sense legislation.
Please list any notable endorsements you’ve received in this race.
- Legislative leadership award from the Wisconsin Technical College District Board Assn.
- Wisconsin Young Republicans
Tom Michalski campaign website
Robyn Vining (Democrat)
What motivated you to run for this office?
I believe in smart, tenacious, compassionate leadership, and working hard to represent the voices of my district. Whether it's affordable healthcare or childcare, access to mental health services, upholding every Wisconsin child's constitutional right to an adequately funded education, protecting women's and LGBTQ+ rights, climate action, making the world more accessible, supporting small businesses and more, I believe that there's more that unites us than divides us. When we unite on our shared values, we have the power and positivity to change the world for the better — it's that shared need, shared vision, and shared mission that drives me.
What concerns are you hearing from constituents, and how do you plan to address those if elected?
Public school funding: I wrote the Save Our Schools bill to increase special education reimbursement to 90%, index per pupil funding to inflation, and support our teacher pipeline.
Mental health: I wrote a 10-bill package focused on students, schools, adults, LGBTQ+ rights, veterans, etc.
Fair maps: I wrote the Fair Maps bill early in my first term.
Climate action: I authored or co-sponsored much of the Forward on Climate legislation
Gun violence prevention: I have co-sponsored gun safety legislation
Small business support: I wrote the Go Big For Small Business Portal
Affordable healthcare, Restore Roe, LGBTQ+ protections and more!
What would success look like for you at the end of your term?
That my constituents would feel seen, heard and cared for.
What distinguishes your experience from the other candidate(s) in this race?
I am focused on shared values and writing legislation that serves my constituents. Some of the topics I have focused on in my work:
- Named "Conservation Champion"
- Received "Early Detection Life Saver Award"
- Mental Healthcare Is Healthcare legislation
- Fair Maps
- Supporting our public schools & teachers (Save Our Schools bill)
- Affordable childcare
- Reproductive freedom
- Combating gun violence & domestic violence
- Protecting kids from human trafficking
- Maternal + infant health
- Postpartum Medicaid Expansion
- “Go Big For Small Business” portal
- Epinephrine affordability
- Forward on Climate bills
- Universal Changing Stations
Please list any notable endorsements you’ve received in this race.
We will update endorsements throughout the campaign on my website.
