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 65
Wisconsin Assembly District 65 covers the southern half of Kenosha and the northern half of Pleasant Prairie.
According to WisPolitics, Democrat Tod Ohnstad was drawn in to the new District 65. He announced he won't seek re-election.
Democrat Ben DeSmidt beat another Democrat, Kyle Flood, in the Aug. 13 primary. DeSmidt will face Republican Brian Gonzales in the Nov. 5 general election.
The district leans approximately 56% Democratic.
WUWM sent a questionnaire to the candidates. Their responses below may be edited for length and clarity.
Meet the candidates
Ben DeSmidt (Democrat)
What motivated you to run for this office?
As a small-business owner navigating the pandemic, I saw firsthand how important government support is, and the key to connecting those businesses to that support is representation that is deeply rooted in the community. I want to offer that kind of representation for District 65 in the State Assembly.
What concerns are you hearing from constituents, and how do you plan to address those if elected?
The biggest concerns are access to affordable housing opportunities, protecting the public education system and the need for community schools, and expanding access to healthcare and protecting reproductive rights. In District 65 the city and state have to negotiate what makes best sense for housing in the existing neighborhoods and area of new development, balancing the expenses of new construction and renovation with programs that support first time home buyers. Public education must be the priority, and we have to recognize that voucher programs deplete our ability to deliver the best opportunities to all citizens.
What would success look like for you at the end of your term?
Success would be to have offered high quality constituent services to the district throughout my term. I would hope to make progress on negotiating bills to address access to affordable housing, public education (including technical colleges) by moving to end voucher programs, and expanding healthcare with a public option for BadgerCare and securing reproductive rights.
What distinguishes your experience from the other candidate(s) in this race?
I am a veteran educator with 20+ years experience in higher education, including serving since 2022 on the Gateway Technical College Board of Trustees of which I am now Vice-Chair. With my partner Angela Cook, I also own two small businesses in Kenosha and understand first hand the struggles that face the business community. The combination of my educational and small-business backgrounds makes me unique in the legislature, and I believe that this experience allows me to speak with authority and will allow me to negotiate with others from a position of authority.
Please list any notable endorsements you’ve received in this race.
- Tod Ohnstad, current State Representative District 65
- Dianne Hesselbein, State Senator District 27
- Jim Kreuser, former Kenosha County Executive and State Assembly Minority Leader
- John Antaramian, former Mayor of Kenosha
- Keith Bosman, former mayor of Kenosha
- UAW WI State CAP Council
- Kenosha AFL-CIO Council
- Carpenters Local 161
Brian Gonzales (Republican)
What motivated you to run for this office?
I was a Police Officer for 26 years and I recently retired. I wanted to continue my service in a different capacity.
What concerns are you hearing from constituents, and how do you plan to address those if elected?
Most concerns center around the economy (cost of goods, homes etc) and keeping the citizens safe. I will examine laws presented to me and introduce legislation that will limit government and help our EMS and Law enforcement officers in better serving the public.
What would success look like for you at the end of your term?
Success to me will be: I responsibly served the constituents of my district. I did not compromise my values while serving. I made my run about the seat I serve in and not my own personal gain. That to me would be success.
What distinguishes your experience from the other candidate(s) in this race?
Having had to enforce laws gave me an opportunity to see how laws affect citizens. Having had my salary paid by taxes also gave me a chance to see how government spends our money. I want to now serve and help create laws that are not burdensome on the economy. Laws that keep law enforcement, prison guards, firefighters/Ems services funded. Laws that keep Government limited not intrusive.
Please list any notable endorsements you’ve received in this race.
- Loren Keating retired commissioner Kenosha County
- Tim Stocker Kenosha County Board Supervisor
- Michael Barth Wisconsin Defense attorney
Brian Gonzales campaign Facebook page
Have questions about other candidates on your ballot? Read about the candidates in your Wisconsin Senate district here:
