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 14
Wisconsin Assembly District 14 includes most of West Allis and parts of western Milwaukee and southwest Wauwatosa.
According to WisPolitics, no current lawmakers were drawn into the new District 14.
Democrat Angelito Tenorio, Republican Jim Engstrand, and Independent Steven Shevey will face each other in the Nov. 5 general election. Tenorio beat Democrats Nathan Kieso and Brady Coulthard in the Aug. 13 primary.
The districts leans approximately 57% Democratic.
WUWM sent a questionnaire to the District 14 candidates. Their responses below may be edited for length and clarity.
Meet the candidates
Angelito Tenorio (Democrat)
What motivated you to run for this office?
I’m running for state Assembly District 14 to give back to my community. I grew up in a union home right here in West Allis, and I know that together we can fight for a brighter future for all. I will advocate for good-paying union jobs and affordable housing. I will fight to increase access to healthcare and mental health resources. I believe in investing in public education, combating climate change and protecting our democracy. I will fight for workers, social justice, reproductive rights, civil rights, racial equity, and LGBTQIA+ rights. Together, we can make our community better for all of us.
What concerns are you hearing from constituents, and how do you plan to address those if elected?
I believe that building meaningful relationships with neighbors and having open communication with constituents is key to being an effective legislator. My priorities align with the issues I hear from voters. Constituents discuss the importance of supporting families, investing in our future, and co-creating a stronger, more resilient community. I will work to make housing and healthcare affordable. I will invest in public education, protect the environment, and build sustainable infrastructure. To strengthen our community, I will advocate for unions, protect our democracy, and ensure the prosperity of people from all walks of life.
What would success look like for you at the end of your term?
Success at the end of my term means an improved quality of life for everyone, and enacting transformational change for our community. I want to make the table bigger, so that folks from every background are able to share their ideas for a better future. Success looks like a safer, stronger, more resilient community. Success looks like having stronger public schools, a healthier environment, and increased accessibility to healthcare and affordable housing. Success means that everyone in our community has a chance to live and thrive in District 14. Together, we will challenge the status quo to make our community the best it can be for everyone.
What distinguishes your experience from the other candidate(s) in this race?
I have both professional and personal experience that makes me confident in my abilities to represent and serve my community. I grew up in a union household right here in West Allis, so I have a deep understanding of our community. I have the heart of the organizer. I want to work together to make District 14 a place where all of us can live and thrive. My time as an Alderman on the West Allis Common Council has given me the skills and experience to be an effective legislator and representative. I know what it takes to fight for our neighborhoods, and together, we can create positive change for our community.
Please list any notable endorsements you’ve received in this race.
- West Allis Common Council President Kevin Haass
- State Representative Francesca Hong
- State Representative Alex Joers
- State Representative Lisa Subeck
- New Politics, a national organization dedicated to supporting public servants running for elected office.
Angelito Tenorio campaign website
Steven Shevey (Independent)
What motivated you to run for this office?
I am running because frankly I am tired of the partisanship. It seems like Republicans and Democrats just want to blame each other and use this division as a way to get fame and fortune. While us in middle are suffering from this division. We are seeing the middle class being eroded to the point we may not have one in the next decade. Over 60% of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck, healthcare costs only keep going up with no end in sight, daycare [costs] has skyrocketed in recent years, as well as groceries. The middle class is struggling to survive. This is what motivated me to run for office.
What concerns are you hearing from constituents, and how do you plan to address those if elected?
Knocking on doors in my district I have heard multitude of concerns, but the big three that are the most common are education, healthcare, and the grocery bill.
What would success look like for you at the end of your term?
Success for me would be to create funding for replacement of lead pipes across Wisconsin. We are the top user of lead pipes in the nation, and as those pipes degrade, more lead will seep into our drinking water, putting Wisconsinites at risk, which could lead us to ending up like Flint Michigan.
What distinguishes your experience from the other candidate(s) in this race?
I am a true outsider when it comes to the political arena. My opponents are both backed by major parties and their donors. This means they will be beholden to those donors, and not to you the voter. Look at the predicament we are in, do you think if continually vote for a party member, like we have for decades, things will get better for us outsiders?
Please list any notable endorsements you’ve received in this race. N/A
Steven Shevey campaign website
Jim Engstrand (Republican)
Engstrand did not respond to WUWM's candidate questions. The information below is from his campaign Facebook page.
Engstrand has written that his priorities in the Assembly would be:
"1. NO Biological Boys in Girls Sports.
2. Education funding controlled by parents.
3. Low or No State Income Tax and return of all or at least most of the surplus."
