Wisconsinites will vote for state Senate candidates in the general election 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.
In the Senate, Republicans currently have a 18-15 majority. According to JR Ross of WisPolitics.com, there are four seats at play — one currently held by a Democrat and three by Republicans. If Democrats win any three of those, they get a majority. They are districts 5 (Brookfield), 17 (Spring Green), 21 (Racine) and 31 (Eau Claire).
Republicans are likely to maintain their majority in the Assembly. Ross says 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.
Senate District 11
Wisconsin Senate District 11 includes most of Walworth County, most of Kenosha County, and southwest Racine County, along with parts of southeast Rock County. It covers Burlington, Delavan, Elkhorn, Lake Geneva, Clinton, Darien, East Troy, Genoa City, Paddock Lake, Sharon, Union Grove, Walworth, along with most of the village of Pleasant Prairie and part of the city of Kenosha.
The current senator, Republican Steve Nass, is not running for re-election. Republican Ellen Schutt and Democrat Adam Duda will face each other in the Nov. 3 election. Ellen Schutt beat Republicans Sandy Wiedmeyer and Nick Polce in the Aug. 11 primary, while Adam Duda beat Democrat Steven J. Doelder.
WUWM sent a questionnaire to the candidates. Their responses below may be edited for length and clarity.
Meet the candidates
Ellen Schutt (Republican)
Schutt did not respond to WUWM's candidate questions. The information below is from her campaign website.
Schutt's biography says she grew up on her family farm and still farms alongside her parents and siblings today, raising cattle and growing crops, while serving as the executive director of the Wisconsin FFA Foundation. Schutt also worked as an accountant and was elected to the state Assembly from 2023-2025.
"I’m running to bring proven conservative leadership to the State Senate — and to fight for the values that make our communities strong," she says on her website.
Her priorities include: public safety, making Wisconisn more affordable through lowering taxes and responsible budgeting, high-quality schools, empowering small businesses, defending life and supporting families and honoring veterans.
Adam Duda (Democrat)
Current occupation: Self-employed
Why are you running for this office?
I am running for State Senate to uphold the social contract: the reality that individual success is built on a strong public foundation. I arrived from Poland at age nine with very little. My ability to earn engineering and law degrees relied on the opportunities this country provided, and I am stepping up to ensure the next generation gets that exact same shot.
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?
State government must reduce the cost of living for working families and seniors.
First, I will use Wisconsin's surplus to increase shared revenue and fully fund public schools. This stops the endless cycle of local referendums and keeps property taxes in check.
Second, we must expand the Homestead Tax Credit so seniors aren't priced out of their homes.
Third, affordable childcare is critical economic infrastructure that allows young families to work and thrive.
Finally, large corporations and data centers must pay their fair share. They cannot pass infrastructure and energy costs onto local ratepayers.
By investing our surplus back into our communities, we build an economy that works for everyone.
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 welcome innovation, but data centers must honor Wisconsin's social contract. These tech companies are choosing to locate here because of the foundation Wisconsin built: the power grid, the protected water, and the educated workforce. Without the infrastructure taxpayers already paid for, these companies would not be here. The partnership must run both ways. We cannot permit massive corporations to extract wealth without giving back. I will ensure this growth funds its own infrastructure instead of passing utility costs onto ratepayers. Holding corporations to their end of the social contract isn't anti-business. It is simply the rent they pay for using the public resources that make their success possible.
What are your top state budget priorities?
My top budget priorities protect taxpayers and strengthen communities.
First, we must use Wisconsin’s surplus to increase shared revenue and better fund public schools. State underfunding forces districts into endless referendums, driving up property taxes for families and seniors. Public funds belong in public classrooms; using the surplus here keeps local taxes down.
Second, the budget must ensure corporate growth pays for itself. Large data centers rely on infrastructure taxpayers already built. They must pay their fair share to upgrade it, rather than passing utility costs onto local ratepayers.
A state budget shouldn't be for political infighting; it is a practical blueprint to keep our local economies competitive.
How do you plan to remain accountable to the people of Wisconsin?
I will remain accountable by supporting rules that force politicians to answer to voters.
First, I support independent redistricting. Fair maps ensure representatives compete on their ideas rather than hiding behind safe districts.
Second, I will reject partisan infighting. I measure success by whether the 11th District gets its fair share of state revenue to lower property taxes.
Accountability means justifying every vote I cast to the people I represent.
Please list any notable endorsements you've received.
None listed.
Support for WUWM's Voter Guide is provided by Milwaukee Turners.
