WISCONSIN — For the first time in 16 years, Wisconsin Democrats will have control of the entire state government. The 2026 election produced a dramatic political realignment in Madison. Democrats won the governor’s race, held the Attorney General’s office, won the open Secretary of State’s race, flipped both chambers of the Legislature while taking the state treasurer’s office.
The result ends the Republican era that began with Scott Walker’s election in 2010 and gives Democrats a unified government heading into 2027.
Crowley Wins the Governor’s Mansion
The biggest victory came at the top of the ticket. Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley defeated Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, winning approximately 54% of the vote to Tiffany’s 46%.
Crowley’s victory is historic. He will become Wisconsin’s first Black governor, succeeding Democratic Gov. Tony Evers. But the significance of the race goes beyond the historic nature of Crowley’s election.
Republicans had dominated Wisconsin state government for most of the past 16 years. Even after Evers defeated Republican Gov. Scott Walker in 2018, Republicans retained control of both legislative chambers, producing a divided government in Madison.
Crowley will enter the governor’s office with Democratic majorities in both the Senate and Assembly — giving him the ability to pursue a legislative agenda without Republican control of either chamber. Wisconsin Watch described the result as Democrats taking complete control of the Capitol for the first time since 2010.
Kaul Wins a Third Term as Attorney General
Democrats also held onto the Attorney General’s office. Incumbent Josh Kaul defeated Republican Eric Toney by approximately 55% to 45%, according to the latest results.
With another term, Kaul becomes the first Wisconsin attorney general to win three terms since Jim Doyle. The Attorney General’s office has become an increasingly important position in Wisconsin because of the state’s frequent legal battles over abortion, voting rules, environmental regulations and the division of power between the Legislature and governor.
Kaul’s reelection ensures that Democrats will continue to control that office while also gaining control of the rest of state government.
Zamarripa Wins the Secretary of State and Treasurer Races
Democrat JoCasta Zamarripa defeated Republican Jay Schroeder by roughly 51% to 46%, with Green Party candidate Pete Karas receiving about 4%. Zamarripa will replace Democratic Secretary of State Sarah Godlewski, who ran successfully for lieutenant governor alongside Crowley.
Democrats also won the state treasurer’s race, where Yee Leng Xiong defeated Republican incumbent John Leiber, approximately 52% to 48%. Xiong will become the first Hmong American to hold statewide office in the United States.
Democrats Flip the Wisconsin Senate
Then came the result that changed the balance of power in Madison. Democrats flipped the Wisconsin Senate, ending a Republican majority that had lasted since 2011.
Republicans entered Election Day with an 18-15 advantage. Democrats needed to flip multiple Republican seats while holding their own – they did exactly that.
Democrats flipped three Republican-held Senate seats, producing an 18-15 Democratic majority.
Among the notable Democratic victories was Jenna Jacobson‘s defeat of Republican Sen. Howard Marklein in southwestern Wisconsin. Marklein had been a major figure in the Legislature and co-chaired the powerful Joint Finance Committee.
Democrat Trevor Jung also won an open Senate seat in Racine, while Jeff Smith held his seat in western Wisconsin.
The Senate result was particularly important because Wisconsin’s legislative maps had been redrawn following a state Supreme Court decision. The new maps were first used in the 2024 election, and Democrats continued building on the gains they made under the new boundaries.
Democrats Flip the Assembly, Too
If the Senate flip was historic, the Assembly result was equally dramatic. Republicans entered the election with a 54-45 majority, meaning Democrats needed to gain five seats to take control.
Instead, Democrats flipped eight Republican-held seats, producing a 53-46 Democratic majority. Republicans lost 6 incumbent seats and 2 open seats on their way to the minority.
The victory is especially significant because Republicans had controlled the Assembly for years. Democrats had not held an Assembly majority since the 2009-10 session.
Democratic Rep. Greta Neubauer is expected to become the next Assembly speaker, making her the first woman to hold the position.
The End of Wisconsin’s Republican Era
Taken together, the results amount to one of the biggest political shifts Wisconsin has experienced in decades. Democrats will control the governor’s mansion with David Crowley, the Senate, the Assembly, the Attorney General’s office, the Secretary of State’s office and the treasurer’s office.
That is a complete Democratic takeover of Wisconsin state government. The historical significance should not be understated. Republicans had controlled both legislative chambers since 2011. Tony Evers had been able to serve as governor since 2019, but his administration spent years operating under divided government.
After 16 years of Republican legislative control, Wisconsin Democrats will finally have the opportunity to govern without the institutional roadblocks that defined the Evers years.
