State Senate Democratic Committee: Democratic candidates for state Senate aim to win first majority in over a decade, deliver for Wisconsinites

MADISON, WI — This morning, WPR reported on the four key Senate

Races for Wisconsin Democrats heading to election day. Representative Jenna Jacobson (SD-17), Trevor Jung (SD-21), and Robyn Vining (SD-5) are running to flip long-held Republican seats, while Senator Jeff Smith is defending his seat in the 31st Senate District in Eau Claire.

The Democratic candidates are running on a platform focused on addressing the cost-of-living crisis, lowering property taxes by fully funding public schools, and ensuring every Wisconsinite has access to quality, affordable health care.

They know families across the state are struggling to stay afloat after a decade of Republican majorities. Democratic candidates are working to secure a Democratic trifecta so they can get to work on day one delivering tangible change for the communities they represent.

WPR: Wisconsin’s state Senate is up for grabs in 2026

• “In southeast Wisconsin: Democrat Trevor Jung vs. Republican Jim Croft”
• “In southeast Wisconsin, Democrats are hoping to flip the 21st Senate District held by longtime incumbent Republican state Sen. Van Wanggaard.”
• “‘All across the 21st (District), we’re hearing the same thing about how groceries are too expensive, how childcare is not attainable, how people who are hoping to be first-time homebuyers aren’t able to afford their home,’ Jung said. ‘Our campaign is laser-focused on making sure that the American dream is achievable, and that life is more affordable.’”
• “Jung was elected as an alder for Racine at age 23, making him the youngest to serve the city since 1862. He completed two terms before becoming the city’s transit director in 2021. He said his career in public service sets him apart from his opponent.”
• “‘In my day job, I see it up close and personal,’ Jung said. ‘I know the names of the people who are impacted by reductions in service, and so that’s why I’m doing this, to make sure that they have an advocate in Madison.’”
• “Jung was born in Russia before being adopted at age 2. He was raised by his father, Scott Jung, and said growing up in Racine is what inspired him to run for state Senate. “I owe everything to my hometown,” he said.”
• “In southeast Wisconsin: Democrat Robyn Vining vs. Republican Mike Roberts”
• “Another key race in the suburbs — the 5th Senate District — is also an open seat where the Republican incumbent decided not to run again. It features state Rep. Robyn Vining, D-Wauwatosa, and Republican Mike Roberts.”
• “A Marquette analysis found Harris carried the district by 6 points in 2024.”
• “When Vining talks to voters, she says she always asks them the same question: What are you concerned about right now? She says the answers vary, but everyone has a concern.”
• “Vining’s point was illustrated, as if on cue, when she encountered James Jones while knocking on doors in Milwaukee’s far west side on a recent Saturday.”
• “‘You got my vote, don’t worry about it,’ Jones said. Before Jones could shut his door, Vining asked what he’s concerned about.”
• “‘I don’t know where to begin, man. I really don’t know where to begin,’ Jones said. ‘Cost of living, employment, AI.’”
• “‘It’s utilities, housing, childcare, healthcare, food, gas,’ Vining said. ‘But I’d say over the last two months, it has been going from being able to diagnose that pain point to just being completely overwhelmed. People are saying ‘it’s everything and I just can’t afford life right now.’”
• “In southwest Wisconsin: Democrat Jenna Jacobson vs. Republican Howard Marklein”
• “In southwestern Wisconsin, a redrawn district has an incumbent fighting for a seat he once held comfortably.”
• “That’s given state Rep. Jenna Jacobson, D-Oregon, an opening to compete for the seat.”
• “The district leans Democratic. It has supported Tammy Baldwin in her U.S. Senate races and Hillary Clinton, former President Joe Biden and Harris in their presidential bids.”
• “Earlier this month, the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, which works to elect Democrats to state legislatures, named the race as one of its top 10 priorities.Unlike other swing districts targeted by Democrats this year, Marklein’s is the only one where a GOP incumbent is running for reelection.”
• “A former financial analyst, Jacobson held a brief ‘Marklein Markup Tour’ where she argued that his leadership over the budget has contributed to higher daily costs.”
• “Jacobson also called for data centers to cover their own utility costs, and for environmental regulations and stronger government oversight of those projects. She also said she would vote to repeal sales tax exemptions given to tech companies to site data centers within Wisconsin.”
• “In western Wisconsin: Democrat Jeff Smith vs. Republican Michele Magadance Skinner”
• “With a legislative history dating back to 2006, Smith is one of the only sitting Democrats who were in office the last time their party controlled all of state government in 2009 and 2010.”
• “Smith said that’s rich considering Republicans have had the majority in the Senate and state Assembly “a whole generation.”
• “They bank on people not understanding or paying attention to those sorts of things, so they can say whatever they want, and hopefully people buy it and believe it,” said Smith. “I just have to trust voters are smarter than that.”
• “With signs of another potential blue wave building this year, Smith told WPR he’s urged Senate Democrats not to seek vengeance on Republicans for blocking their bills for the past 16 years.”