Wisconsinites will vote for state Assembly and Senate candidates in a general election on Nov. 3.
This is the second election under more 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 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 of 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.
The Republican-held swing seats include Assembly District 61.
Assembly District 61
Wisconsin Assembly District 61 includes Greendale, Hales Corners, most of the city of Greenfield, and parts of southwest Milwaukee and northeast Franklin.
Current Rep. Bob Donovan, a Republican, is running for re-election. He will face Democrat Ben Brist in the Nov. 3 general election. Brist beat Democrats Lawanda Chambers and Brian Bock in the Aug. 11 primary.
WUWM sent a questionnaire to the candidates. Their responses below may be edited for length and clarity.
Meet the candidates
Bob Donovan (Republican, incumbent)
Bob Donovan did not respond to WUWM's candidate questions. The information below is from his campaign website.
Bob Donovan is a Milwaukee native who served on the Milwaukee Common Council from 2000 to 2020. He is seeking re-election to the Wisconsin State Assembly, where he has represented District 61 since 2023.
"Wisconsin needs a tested fighter for public safety and the interests of the common man, woman, and child, to bridge the gap between Madison and local governments," Donovan's website says. "All I ask is you give me a chance to hear your concerns and what you want to see from your representative."
Ben Brist (Democrat)
Current occupation: Recent Ex-Military
Why are you running for this office?
I'm running because this district deserves a representative who works to make life easier, not harder. I spent seven years in the Army, where I learned that leadership means showing up, listening, and taking responsibility. Opportunity feels out of reach, and it’s getting harder for families in the 61st district. Folks are struggling to afford gas, groceries, childcare, and prescriptions because the Republicans weakened protections for workers, cut investment in healthcare, defunded public education, and let property taxes skyrocket. My wife and I chose to move home to Wisconsin because this is where we want to put down roots and start our family. These issues are personal to me; our legislature should be making it easier to succeed here.
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?
Cost of living is the number one thing I hear about at the doors, from Republicans, Democrats, and independents alike. In the Assembly, I'd focus on three things: Real property tax relief, so seniors and working families aren't priced out of homes they've lived in for decades. Restoring the state's commitment to funding local services and public schools, because when Madison shortchanges our communities, homeowners pick up the tab. And tackling the big monthly costs: housing, childcare, prescription drugs, and utility bills. The state has the resources to act on all of these things. What's been missing is a legislature willing to put working families ahead of political fights.
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 a statewide moratorium on new data centers until we have a regulatory framework that actually protects the public. That framework must guarantee three things: ratepayers never subsidize the enormous power demands of these facilities, our air and water resources are protected, and local communities get a say in these projects. Right now, companies are cutting deals community by community with no statewide standards, and families risk paying the price on their utility bills. Pausing until the rules protect people is how we make sure any promised growth actually benefits Wisconsin.
What are your top state budget priorities?
First, fully funding our public schools so districts stop draining their budgets and going to referendum just to cover legally required services.
Second, property tax relief and restored state support for local governments, so communities like ours can fund police, fire, and public works without pushing costs onto homeowners.
Third, making everyday life more affordable, from childcare to healthcare to housing. The state budget is a statement of values, and right now it doesn't reflect the priorities of the families in this district.
How do you plan to remain accountable to the people of Wisconsin?
I'll hold regular in-person town halls and listening sessions across the district, not just during campaign season. I'll explain my votes publicly, including the hard ones, because voters deserve to know not just how I voted but why. My office will treat constituent services as a core responsibility, whether that's helping a veteran access benefits or a homeowner navigate a state agency. I've seen firsthand both good and poor constituent services at the federal level, and I know that it can make a real difference in the lives of my constituents. And I'll answer to the people of this district, period. Trust is earned through consistency, and that's the standard I'll hold myself to in Madison.
Please list any notable endorsements you've received.
- AFT Local 212
- Sheldon Wasserman, 3rd District Supervisor, Milwaukee County Board
- Donald G. Schwartz, Former Hales Corners Village Board Trustee
- Joe Czarnezki, Former State Senator, Milwaukee County Clerk and Board Supervisor
Support for WUWM's Voter Guide is provided by Milwaukee Turners.
