MILWAUKEE, WI — JoCasta Zamarripa was elected Wisconsin Secretary of State tonight, defeating Republican Jay Schroeder and Green Party Pete Karas in a race that centered on the future of Wisconsin’s democracy. Zamarripa, a Milwaukee Alderperson and former State Assembly member, becomes the first Latino person elected to statewide office in Wisconsin history.
Zamarripa issued the following statement:
“Tonight, Wisconsin, you made your voice heard, and I am humbled beyond words. Thank you. Thank you to every volunteer. Thank you to everyone who chipped in what they could. Thank you to my family, my team, and the community that raised me and never stopped believing. This victory belongs to all of you.
I ran for Secretary of State because I believe Wisconsin deserves leaders who will uphold our democracy, protect the right to vote, and keep partisan politics out of our everyday governing. Tonight, you affirmed that belief, and I will not let you down.
As your next Secretary of State, I will do the real work this office demands for Wisconsin families, and I will be a voice for every community that has too often felt unseen.
Thank you, Wisconsin. I am ready to get to work.”
The Zamarripa campaign ran one of the most ambitious Latino voter outreach programs in Wisconsin Secretary of State history. The campaign reached more than 54,000 unique Latino voters across all 72 Wisconsin counties through a coordinated multiplatform effort spanning direct mail, Spanish language radio, YouTube and social media advertising, phone banking, and text messaging. Every contact encouraged voters to support Democrats up and down their ballots. The campaign met Latino voters where they are, in their communities and on their screens, in English and in Spanish.
Zamarripa spent a decade representing Milwaukee’s south side in the State Assembly before serving as Alderperson. She has been a leading voice for immigrant rights, voting rights, and working families throughout her public career. A photo of Zamarripa is available here.
