Housing advocate, caregiver, and former Madison Alder Juliana Bennett builds momentum with local and national endorsements in her campaign for Wisconsin State Assembly.
MADISON, WIS. — Former Madison Alder Juliana Bennett announced today that her campaign for Wisconsin State Assembly District 76 has been endorsed by the Madison Area chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America (Madison DSA) and by former Ohio State Senator Nina Turner, who served as co-chair of Senator Bernie Sanders’ 2020 presidential campaign.
As Democrats nationwide see a wave of candidates winning primary elections by championing economic populism, these endorsements underscore Bennett’s position as the leading voice focused on tackling Madison’s affordability crisis.
“From the Northside to the Eastside to the Isthmus, working-class Madisonians want a fighter in their corner to make their lives more affordable—to raise wages, fund our schools, and bring rent and property taxes under control,” Bennett said.
“Right now, working-class Madisonians don’t just need symbolic victories, we need fighters with the experience to get things done. As the most experienced candidate in this race at the local, state, and federal levels of government, I am ready on day one to fight for our communities,” Bennett added. “The endorsements of Madison DSA and Senator Nina Turner reflect what we’ve been seeing on the ground for weeks—that our campaign has real momentum because our vision is resonating with voters. I am deeply honored to have their support and trust.”
“Juliana represents what we want in a DSA Candidate: an outspoken working class organizer. She’s not afraid to say she’s a Democratic Socialist and also has significant traditional political experience,” said Elliot Haugen, Co-Chair of the Madison DSA Electoral Working Group.
“Juliana Bennett has the rare combination of a strong resume and a backbone, which is sorely needed in this moment at all levels of government,” said Senator Nina Turner. “Whether it’s corporations looking to exploit working-class Wisconsinites or the Trump administration coming after the state, Juliana won’t flinch. She is about action, not strongly-worded letters.”
Bennett is the product of a working-class family. A graduate of MMSD and the University of Wisconsin–Madison, Bennett has deep roots in the community she seeks to represent. She currently serves as a caregiver to an aging parent and has built a reputation as a fierce advocate for working-class families.
During her time on the Madison Common Council, Bennett helped legalize duplexes citywide, supported the approval of more than 1,000 units of affordable housing, secured millions in investments for homeless services and undocumented communities, stood in solidarity with Gaza and Madison’s communities of color, and helped deliver fair municipal maps. Bennett is the only candidate with experience at the local, state, and federal levels of government.
Bennett says her advocacy is rooted in lived experience.
“I keep fighting because I know exactly what it’s like when the system fails,” Bennett said. “Right now, we need fighters and table-flippers. That’s what I do.”
Learn more about the campaign or contribute at julianabennett.com. Contact hello@julianabennett.com with any questions.
