Wisconsinites will vote for state Assembly and Senate candidates in a primary on Aug. 11 and 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.
One Republican and one Democrat are running for Senate District 5.
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. District 5 is one of them, along with 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 5
Wisconsin Senate District 5 includes Brookfield, Pewaukee, Elm Grove, most of the cities of Wauwatosa and West Allis, and parts of the cities of Milwaukee and Waukesha.
The current senator, Republican Rob Hutton, is not running for re-election.
WUWM sent a questionnaire to the candidates. Their responses below may be edited for length and clarity.
Meet the candidates
Mike Roberts (Republican)
Current occupation: Physical Therapist and small business owner
Why are you running for this office?
As an eighth-generation Wisconsinite, I want our state to continue being a place where my three kids can play, live, and raise their families as ninth-generation Wisconsinites. As I listen to my friends and neighbors, employees, and the thousands of patients I’ve treated in my physical therapy practice, the same issues continue coming up: cost of living, healthcare, education, and public safety. I’m running to bring real-world experience, practical solutions, and accountable leadership to Madison. We need to lower the cost of living; improve cost, quality, and access in healthcare; strengthen our schools; support law enforcement; and make Wisconsin the best place in America to live, work, and raise a family.
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?
As state senator I am going to work to lower property taxes which will decrease the cost of living. We can responsibly invest in our schools, making sure our kids learn the basics like reading, writing and math. Investing in schools helps to lower property taxes. I would also return the state’s surplus directly to Wisconsinites and support ending Governor Evers’ 400-year veto, which is raising property taxes across our state. Unfortunately, as long as the 400-year property tax veto remains in place (which my opponent has supported), many Wisconsin families will continue to face upward pressure on their property taxes. I believe we can do better.
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 believe the decision on data centers should be up to the local municipalities. What works for one community, may not work for another. Therefore, it should not be the role of the state government to issue a statewide ban on data centers.
What are your top state budget priorities?
My focus right now is winning the support of people in the 5th senate district. My top budget priority will be investing in what my district values most. I am going to work to lower property taxes which will decrease the cost of living, invest in our kids' education, and make sure families have access to quality affordable healthcare.
How do you plan to remain accountable to the people of Wisconsin?
If elected, I will never forget that I work for the constituents of the 5th Senate District — not the special interests, political parties, or people in the Capitol. Just like my time in healthcare and as a small business owner, my job is to listen, be accessible, and fight for the priorities of people I represent. I plan to hold regular listening sessions in the district, maintain an open-door policy, and encourage anyone (Republicans, Democrats, and Independents) to reach out if they have a question or need help navigating state government. Accountability means showing up, listening, communicating, and doing what you said you were going to do. That's how I've led as a small business owner, and how I would serve in the State Senate.
Please list any notable endorsements you've received.
Milwaukee Police Association, Waukesha County Police Chiefs Association, Milwaukee Police Supervisors Organization, Milwaukee Deputy Sheriffs' Association.
Robyn Vining (Democrat)
Current occupation: State Representative and Professional photographer/ Small business creator
Why are you running for this office?
Wisconsinites are working harder than ever to make ends meet and they deserve somebody in Madison who will fight for them. I believe every Wisconsinite deserves access to affordable, quality healthcare — including mental healthcare, childcare & housing; excellent public schools; safe communities free from gun violence; support for small businesses; a vibrant democracy; our constitutional & human rights; and a shot at the American Dream. I know what it’s like to struggle. I’ve lost my healthcare while pregnant, relied on food assistance for my kids, and more. We need a Senator who fights for affordability for every Wisconsinite by lowering healthcare costs, the cost of prescription drugs, housing costs, and who fully funds public education.
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?
In the state legislature I’ve worked on a number of proposals that would lower costs for Wisconsinites. I fought to expand post-partum healthcare for new moms, and didn’t quit until we also passed Gail's law, requiring healthcare companies to cover breast cancer screenings. I’ve championed expanding access to mental healthcare, & pushed for more affordable prescription drugs like epinephrine and insulin. I’ve led the charge to increase special education funding to 90% reimbursement, and fully fund public education so that we can stop the constant cycle of school referendums. We need to drive down the skyrocketing property taxes, and we need to move quickly, so we can reduce housing costs and ensure every generation has access to housing.
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?
Everyone is concerned about data centers, and I understand why — we worry about the impacts that these large scale projects have on our communities, the environment, public health, & our utility bills. There is legislation sitting in Madison that would help to alleviate many of these concerns, but Republicans refused to give it a vote. It would ban data centers from passing costs to citizens, require regular environmental audits, and ensure that these companies pay for the energy infrastructure needed for them to operate and for the energy that they use. My office is also researching the health effects of data centers on the communities where they are built, and preparing to respond to protect Wisconsinites.
What are your top state budget priorities?
Public education is at the heart of our communities, and should be at the heart of the state budget — we need to fully fund the public schools. Wisconsinites have been forced to raise our own property taxes because Madison lawmakers failed to do their jobs. Not only are schools, kids & teachers suffering as a result, property taxes are skyrocketing — this is inexcusable. Skyrocketing property taxes increase housing costs — for every generation of Wisconsinite. We should fund the schools, and lower both property taxes and housing costs. Fully funding the public schools upholds a constitutional right in WI, & it’s a win-win-win for our state! We also need to address access to mental healthcare, childcare, and small business development.
How do you plan to remain accountable to the people of Wisconsin?
I am an active member of my community, and I believe that both leadership and public service mean showing up, listening, and being accessible to the people I have sworn to serve. I live in the community where I raised my children, and built my photography business from the ground up.
People are a top priority for me, and I appreciate that my team in Madison works hard to understand the needs of our constituents, and cares deeply about the people who contact us. You can find me out and about in the community, meeting 1-on-1 with constituents, publishing our daily and weekly work on social media and e-updates, and responding to phone calls and emails. Voting is an act of trust, and I carry that trust with me as I lead and serve.
Please list any notable endorsements you've received.
- Tammy Baldwin United States Senator
- NASW (National Association of Social Workers PACE)
- SEIU
- Wisconsin Conservation Voters
- AFT MATC Local 212
- Amalgamated Transit Union Local 988
- Emily’s List
- OBGYN-PAC
- The Next 50
- States Win (Sister District)
- Electing Women Wisconsin
- Professional Firefighters of Wisconsin
- Milwaukee Professional Firefighters Local 215
- NRMCC Northern Midwest Regional Council of Carpenters
- UAW United Auto Workers Wisconsin State Council
- LiUNA The Wisconsin Laborers' District Council
- IBEW Wisconsin State Conference
- Plumbers Union Local 75
- Ironworkers Local 8
Endorsements listed and updated regularly here: www.robynforwi.com/endorsements/
