Washington, DC — Today, the Republican State Leadership Committee (RSLC) is rolling out its 2026 Wisconsin Candidate Spotlight series, putting a spotlight on the Republican candidates asking Badger State voters for their support this fall. With every Assembly seat and all of the odd-numbered Senate districts on the ballot this November, Wisconsin Republicans are working to hold the line against a Democratic push for control of the Capitol. 

This spotlight showcases the range of experience Republicans bring to Madison: a small-town newspaperman turned mayor, a two-decade veteran of Milwaukee city government, a longtime radio voice from central Wisconsin, an Air Force veteran and small business owner, a chiropractor, and the Senate’s chief budget negotiator, representing communities stretching from the driftless hills of the southwest to the Chippewa Valley and the Fox Valley.

“This is a group of Republicans who are ready to deliver for their communities,” said RSLC President Edith Jorge-Tuñón. “Despite tougher maps and a slimmer majority than they’re used to, Wisconsin Republicans still passed a budget that cut taxes for families by more than a billion dollars. Democrats are eyeing those same maps as their path to finally controlling the Legislature, but voters know who’s actually gotten results. The RSLC is behind these candidates all the way as they fight to keep the Assembly and Senate in Republican hands.”
 

Dylan Pfaffenbach — Wisconsin Assembly District 21

A lifelong Oak Creek resident, Pfaffenbach currently works as a research specialist for the Wisconsin State Legislature and previously served as a field organizer for the Republican Party of Wisconsin. He’s running to succeed retiring Rep. Jessie Rodriguez.

Todd Novak — Wisconsin Assembly District 51

A product of the Iowa County farm where he grew up, Todd Novak has spent more than a decade representing the 51st Assembly District after years running the newsroom at the Dodgeville Chronicle and eight years as Dodgeville’s mayor. His record in Madison includes locking in permanent funding for the state’s Office of School Safety and pushing through new investments in dairy country and rural internet access.

David Daniels — Wisconsin Assembly District 53

Daniels is an Air Force veteran who built a career in radon mitigation and environmental safety and now owns Radon Safe Homes and Compassion Homes, having previously built and sold Radon Specialists of WI. He’s served on the national board of the American Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists.

Bob Donovan — Wisconsin Assembly District 61

Before he ever set foot in the Capitol, Bob Donovan spent two decades on the Milwaukee Common Council building a name for himself on public safety issues. He brought that same focus to the 61st Assembly District, which takes in Greendale, Hales Corners, and nearby pockets of Greenfield and Franklin, after winning the seat in 2022 — and he’s asking voters for a third term this fall.

Bryson Reyes — Wisconsin Assembly District 82

A 29-year-old Army veteran and manufacturing professional with an MBA from Georgetown’s McDonough School of Business, Reyes is running to succeed retiring Rep. Scott Allen.

Patrick Snyder — Wisconsin Assembly District 85

Central Wisconsin listeners spent more than a decade waking up to Patrick Snyder’s voice on the radio before he traded the microphone for the Assembly floor in 2016. Now representing the Wausau-area 85th District, he chairs the Committee on Children and Families and helped lead the Foster Care Task Force that produced the bipartisan Foster Forward reforms to the state’s child welfare system.

Ben Franklin — Wisconsin Assembly District 88

An Air Force veteran who finished his college degree while still in uniform, Ben Franklin went on to run his own small business in the Green Bay area before winning one of the closest Assembly races in the state in 2024 with a margin of just over 200 votes. He now represents the 88th District, covering De Pere, Allouez, and Bellevue.

Bobby Lindsey — Wisconsin Assembly District 89

A U.S. Marine Corps veteran and father of three, Lindsey spent the past decade as a criminal justice instructor training federal and state law enforcement personnel, holds a master’s degree in Human Services Administration, and previously served on the Green Bay City Council.

Clint Moses — Wisconsin Assembly District 92

A practicing chiropractor before entering public office, Clint Moses represents the 92nd Assembly District, covering Chippewa Falls, Menomonie, and the surrounding area. As chair of the Assembly’s Health, Aging, and Long-Term Care Committee, he’s helped land new mental health and hospital investments for the Chippewa Valley.

Keith Purnell — Wisconsin Assembly District 94

A 22-year U.S. Army veteran, father, and grandfather from Holmen, Purnell’s military career spanned combat arms and instructor roles, culminating in a role as Senior Military Instructor for Army ROTC at UW-La Crosse. He’s challenging longtime Democrat incumbent Steve Doyle.

Mike Roberts — Wisconsin Senate District 5

An eighth-generation Wisconsinite, healthcare provider, and small business owner, Roberts founded and owns Wisconsin Orthopedic Physical Therapy, a Milwaukee-area practice.

Howard Marklein — Wisconsin Senate District 17

Raised on a dairy farm outside Spring Green, Howard Marklein built a career as a certified public accountant and fraud examiner before entering politics. He’s represented the 17th Senate District since 2015 and now co-chairs the Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee, the panel that writes Wisconsin’s state budget.

Jim Croft — Wisconsin Senate District 21

A lifelong Wisconsinite, Croft earned his bachelor’s degree from UW-Whitewater and an MBA from Marquette while working full-time, building his career in transportation compliance before moving into operations and management.