October 2024 Legislative Update

All Hands-on Deck for Stewardship
WPRA members need your help to defend the Stewardship Program and work for its reauthorization. Gathering Waters, the state’s land trust organization, has compiled a coalition website (https://knowlesnelson.org/)  for the effort.

WPRA encourages all members to identify the KNSP projects in your community and educate your local government leaders about this effort. We need everyone working hard to advocate for KNSP and that starts now.

Is Something Happening on November 5th?
Yes, there is. While much attention is focused on the Presidential election, numerous state legislative races will also take place, potentially influencing the legislative and political landscape in the coming session. Don’t forget to bookmark Hamilton’s Elections page to see the results on November 6!

Last month in PRMonthly, we provided an overview of key state Senate races. This month, we explore the Assembly races, where new district maps could significantly impact the composition of the State Assembly.

For the past decade, Republicans have maintained a comfortable majority, but the coming election cycle may see closer results, with the possibility of a shift in control. Currently, Republicans hold 64 of the 99 Assembly seats, with Democrats holding 34, and one seat is vacant. According to past election data and new district maps, Republicans have around 46 strong or safe seats, while Democrats hold about 44. This leaves approximately 15 competitive seats, nine of which are highly contested. Even if Republicans retain a majority, tighter margins could lead to a new dynamic in the Assembly, potentially fostering more bipartisan cooperation.

Incumbents Facing Challenges in New Districts 

Assembly District 21
Incumbent Representative Jessie Rodriguez is running for re-election in a south Milwaukee district where redistricting has made the race more competitive. Her opponent, Democrat David Marstellar, hopes to capitalize on the district's new Democratic lean of 54%.

Assembly District 26
Freshman Republican Representative Amy Binsfeld is defending her seat in a district that now leans 52% Democratic. She is facing Joe Sheehan, a Democrat and former school superintendent. 

Assembly District 30
Representative Shannon Zimmerman is working to retain his Western Wisconsin seat, which includes Hudson and River Falls. The district's new boundaries give Republicans a slim 51% lean. Democratic candidate Alison Page, a health care administrator, is challenging Zimmerman.

Assembly District 51
Republican Representative Todd Novak has won in a left-leaning southwestern district in the past. However, his district now leans 55% Democratic. His opponent is Elizabeth Grabe, a farmer and realtor.

Assembly District 61
Freshman Republican Representative Bob Donovan is running in a new district after his previous one became more favorable to Democrats. Donovan faces LuAnn Bird, a Democrat and former Executive Director of the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin, in what is considered a 50/50 race.

Assembly District 85
Republican Representative Pat Snyder is running in a district that leans 51% Republican after a slight shift to the left. He is facing Yee Leng Xiong, a Democratic local official and non-profit executive.

Assembly District 91
Democratic Representative Jodi Emerson’s seat, centered around Eau Claire, has been reshaped into a 54% Democratic-leaning district. Michele Skinner, a member of the Eau Claire County Board of Supervisors, is challenging Emerson.

Assembly District 92
Republican Representative Clint Moses is running in a district with 53% Republican lean, where much of the constituency is new to him. Joe Plouff, a Democrat and former Assembly representative, is his opponent.

Assembly District 94
Representative Steve Doyle, a Democrat, is once again facing Republican challenger Ryan Huebsh in a race that is expected to be close. Doyle has won this largely unchanged district six times since 2012, including a narrow victory in 2022.

Open Seats (No Incumbents Running)

Assembly District 53
This competitive district, spanning Neenah and Menasha, leans slightly Democratic at 53%. Dean Kaufert, a former Assembly Representative and Neenah Mayor, is the Republican candidate. His Democratic opponent is Duane Shukoski, a Kimberly-Clark employee.

Assembly District 88
This 50/50 seat has shifted left after redistricting. The Republican candidate is Ben Franklin, a small business owner who won a contested primary. Christy Welch, the Democratic candidate and Brown County Democratic Party chair, is unopposed in the primary.

Assembly District 89
Another 50/50 district, AD 89 includes parts of Green Bay and Ashwaubenon. The Democratic candidate is Ryan Spaude, an Assistant District Attorney, and the Republican candidate is Patrick Buckley, a Brown County Board Chairman.