Wisconsinites will vote for state Assembly candidates in the general election on Nov. 3, 2026.
This is the second election under more competitive district maps, but the first election for this particular Senate seat under the new 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 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 11
Wisconsin Assembly District 11 is in north-central Milwaukee. It includes the neighborhoods of Thurston Woods, Brynwood, Graceland, and Old North Milwaukee.
Incumbent Democratic Rep. Sequanna Taylor is running for reelection against Republican Shandowlyon Reaves.
WUWM sent a questionnaire to the candidates. Their responses below may be edited for length and clarity.
Meet the candidates
Shandowlyon Reaves (Republican)
Current occupation: Business Owner and Retired Educator/Public Official
Why are you running for this office?
I am running because District 11 deserves responsive, accountable representation that produces results. After a career in education, public service, nonprofit leadership and community work, I see both the strengths of our neighborhoods and challenges that have gone unresolved for too long. Residents deserve safe communities, strong schools, economic opportunity, thriving businesses and government that responds when they call. I want to bring a practical, problem-solving approach to Madison—one that listens to residents, uses existing resources wisely, measures results and ensures District 11 has a strong voice in decisions affecting our community.
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?
My approach to affordability looks at the whole household budget. Wisconsin should help families keep more of what they earn by controlling taxes and government spending, using existing resources effectively, and measuring results before asking taxpayers for more. We should expand pathways to homeownership while helping current homeowners remain in their homes, strengthen neighborhood businesses and job opportunities, address food access and child care costs, and preserve educational options for families. Affordability requires both lowering unnecessary costs and expanding opportunities for families to build financial stability.
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 bring investment, jobs and tax revenue to Wisconsin, but those benefits should not come at an unreasonable cost to families or communities. Large developments should disclose their expected energy, water, infrastructure and environmental impacts, and residential utility customers should be protected from costs driven primarily by major new users. Any public incentives should be transparent and tied to verified benefits and enforceable commitments. Wisconsin can welcome emerging industries while protecting taxpayers, natural resources and the communities in which they locate.
What are your top state budget priorities?
My first priority is responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars—reviewing existing resources, eliminating unnecessary or duplicative spending, and requiring measurable results before asking taxpayers for more. Within that framework, my top priorities are education, including special education; public safety, including effective mental-health crisis response; and economic and family stability, including housing, child care, workforce development and infrastructure. Wisconsin should fund essential services responsibly while continually asking whether existing dollars can be used more effectively.
How do you plan to remain accountable to the people of Wisconsin?
Accountability begins with being accessible and responsive. I would establish a 72-Hour Constituent Response Standard so constituents who contact my legislative office receive an acknowledgment or substantive response within 72 hours. When an issue requires additional research, agency coordination or casework, constituents should know the next steps and receive updates until the matter is addressed. I would also communicate openly about legislative decisions, explain how I vote and why, and remain accessible in the district. Taxpayers fund legislative offices and deserve measurable, responsive service from the people they elect.
Please list any notable endorsements you've received.
I have made a deliberate decision not to make political or organizational endorsements a focus of my campaign. The endorsement that matters most to me is the confidence and support I earn directly from the residents of Assembly District 11. They are the people I am asking to represent, and I believe their voices, concerns and priorities should remain at the center of my campaign. Ultimately, the endorsement I am working hardest to earn is theirs.
Sequanna Taylor (Democrat, incumbent)
Current occupation: State Assembly Representative
Why are you running for this office?
I am running for reelection because our work is not finished. Serving the 11th Assembly District has been an honor, and I remain committed to advocating for families, seniors, youth, workers, small businesses, and returning citizens. I will continue fighting for affordable housing, quality education, healthcare, workforce opportunities, and economic growth while remaining accessible, transparent, and accountable to the people I am privileged to serve.
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?
Addressing Wisconsin's cost of living requires practical solutions. I support expanding workforce development, apprenticeships, and technical education to create family-sustaining jobs; increasing affordable housing; lowering healthcare and childcare costs; strengthening small businesses; and supporting policies that improve financial stability and opportunity for families across Wisconsin.
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 bring investment and jobs, but they must be developed responsibly. I support transparent planning, community input, environmental protections, responsible water and energy use, reliable infrastructure, and agreements that ensure local communities benefit while minimizing impacts on neighborhoods and natural resources.
What are your top state budget priorities?
Health and Human Needs, Economic Development, Seniors and Reentry Services.
How do you plan to remain accountable to the people of Wisconsin?
If elected, I will remain accountable by being accessible, transparent, and responsive. I will hold regular town halls, maintain open communication, provide updates on legislation and votes, respond promptly to constituent concerns, and seek community input before making decisions. My commitment is to ensure the voices of the people of Wisconsin guide my work every day — not just during election season.
Please list any notable endorsements you've received.
Wisconsin Conservation, ATU, Milwaukee County Supervisor Steven Shea, Milwaukee County Supervisor Priscilla Coggs-Jones, JBEW 494, Liuna, IBEW Local Union 494.
Support for WUWM's Voter Guide is provided by Milwaukee Turners.
