MADISON, WI – New reporting from the Wisconsin Examiner has Senate Democrats in a position to reclaim the chamber for the first time in over a decade. Democratic challengers Representative Robyn Vining (SD-5), Representative Jenna Jacobson (SD-17), and Racine Transit Director Trevor Jung (SD-21) have emerged as candidates likely to flip their respective seats.
Conversely, Republicans are facing uncertainty and retirements in critical districts. Senator Stephen Nass (SD-11) and Senator Rob Hutton (SD-5) have announced their retirements, while Senator Van Wanggaard (SD-21) has publicly signaled he may also step aside. Hutton’s exit, in particular, solidifies Representative Vining’s position as the clear favorite in SD-5, having raised over $98,000 since the launch of her campaign in July.
Read more on State Senate Democrats fundraising success and Republican retirements:
Wisconsin Examiner: Wisconsin’s 2026 state legislative races take shape
- “The SSDC has been laying the groundwork to flip the chamber over the last year, especially over the summer. In its recent campaign finance report, the SSDC reported raising $771,870 — more than two times what its Republican counterpart brought in… According to the SSDC, that’s the most the committee has ever raised in a non-election year.”
- “On Monday, Sen. Steve Nass (R-Whitewater), who has served in the Legislature since 1991 and is one of the most conservative lawmakers in the state Senate, announced he will not run for reelection.”
- “The first Senate retirement announcement this year came from Sen. Rob Hutton (R-Brookfield), who represents Senate District 5.”
- “Hutton’s exit is significant, Johnson says. ‘That’s an essential target for Democrats to win if they want to take a majority of the state Senate,’ Johnson said. ‘The Democrats have also recruited a quite strong challenger there.’”
- “Hutton had reported raising $24,325 in his December campaign finance report, which included a $20,000 contribution from himself.”
- “The Democratic candidate running for Hutton’s seat, State Rep. Robyn Vining (D-Wauwatosa), who has served in the Assembly since 2019, raised $98,913 since her Senate campaign launched in July and had $114,471 cash-on-hand, according to her campaign finance report.”
- “Johnson said Vining is a strong candidate for Democrats because she is an Assembly incumbent, who has represented one-third of the state Senate district and has a proven track record of winning parts of the district.”
- “There are three other Senate districts considered targets. Senate District 21 encompasses part of Racine County… The incumbent, Sen. Van Wanggaard (R-Racine), has served in the Senate for the last decade. He hasn’t announced yet whether he’ll run for reelection.”
- “After the recent retirement announcements of other Republican lawmakers the SSDC began pushing for Wanggaard’s retirement: ‘Good news comes in three… C’mon @Vanwanggaard, you can do it!’ the SSDC account posted on X.”
- “Wanggaard reported raising $36,461 in the latter half of 2025 and having $46,319 in cash on-hand. The Democratic challenger in the district is Trevor Jung, who is the city of Racine’s transit director. He reported raising $133,512 and ending the period with $129,265 in cash on-hand.”
- “Rep. Jenna Jacobson (D-Oregon), who was first elected to the Assembly in 2022, reported raising $118,243, spending $4,741 and having $113,888 in cash on-hand at the end of the period.”
- “Senate District 31 is also considered a key district for legislative control. There, Democrats are seeking to protect incumbent Sen. Jeff Smith (D-Brunswick), who has served in the Senate since 2018.”
- “…Smith. Smith reported raising $86,123 during the latter part of the year and having $153,493 in cash on-hand. James reported raising $42,817 during the period. He spent $3,355 and has $61,234 in cash on-hand.”
