Wisconsin's new maps leave sitting lawmakers paired with colleagues, running unopposed in some races (2024)

Wisconsin’s fall legislative races will pit sitting lawmakers against each other in five Assembly races, while another eight legislative seats have just one candidate running.

All told, new maps signed into law earlier this year by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers drew incumbent lawmakers into the same district in 15 Assembly districts and six Senate districts.

Some lawmakers have opted out of seeking reelection this year, while others have moved into neighboring districts to avoid running against an incumbent in their political party, or to be closer to the constituents they represented under previous maps.

Wisconsin’s partisan primary is August 13, while the presidential election is November 5.

Here’s how some of the races look:

6th Assembly District

Wisconsin’s new 6th Assembly District includes the communities of Shawano and Keshena, as well as the surrounding area.

Rep. Peter Schmidt, R-Bonduel, was drawn into the new district and has announced plans to run this fall. Fellow state lawmaker, Rep. Elijah Behnke, R-Oconto, was drawn into the 4th Assembly District but has chosen to move to challenge Schmidt in the August 13 primary.

The winner of the primary will face Democratic candidate Shirley Hinze, of Shawano, in November.

The new district holds a roughly 68% Republican lean, according to an analysis using the 2022 presidential election results by the Lubar Center for Public Policy Research and Civic Education at Marquette Law School.

13th Assembly District

The new 13th Assembly District, located west of Milwaukee, includes Brookfield, Wauwatosa and Elm Grove.

Two sitting lawmakers, Reps. Robyn Vining, D-Wauwatosa, and Tom Michalski, R-Elm Grove, are running for the seat. Republican challenger Patricia Granger, of Wauwatosa, and Michalski will meet in the August primary, with the winner going on to face Vining in the November election.

The district has a 57.5% Democratic lean under new maps.

24th Assembly District

The state’s new 24th Assembly District, also located west of Milwaukee, includes Menomonee Falls, Lannon and portions of Butler and Germantown.

Current state Sen. Dan Knodl, R-Germantown, is not seeking another term in the state’s upper chamber, and is instead running for the Assembly seat. He will face Rep. Janel Brandtjen, R-Menomonee Falls, in the August primary, with the winner going on to meet Democratic challenger William Walter, of Germantown, in November.

The district holds a nearly 61% Republican lean.

55th Assembly District

Encircling Oshkosh, the state’s new 55th Assembly District includes Omro and Winneconne.

The new boundaries include both Reps. Michael Schraa, R-Oshkosh, and Nate Gustafson, R-Fox Crossing. Both lawmakers will meet in the August primary.

The winner will face Oshkosh Democrat Kyle Kehoe in the November election.

The district has a nearly 61% Republican lean.

86th Assembly District

Wisconsin’s new 86th Assembly District includes portions of Marathon and Wood counties, including Marshfield, Pittsville and Marathon City.

Republican state Reps. Donna Rozar and John Spiros, both of Marshfield, will meet in the August primary, along with Republican candidate Trine Spindler, of Stratford.

The primary winner will face Marathon Democrat John Small in November.

The district holds a less than 53% Republican lean.

4th Senate District

With former state Sen. Lena Taylor, D-Milwaukee, appointed earlier this year to Milwaukee County Circuit Court, Evers scheduled a special election to fill the seat for July 30.

Current state Reps. LaKeshia Myers and Dora Drake, both Democrats from Milwaukee, are running for the seat and will meet in a special July 2 primary to fill the remainder of Taylor’s term, which concludes at the end of the year.

That means the 4th Senate District will also appear on the August 13 primary ballot, with Myers and Drake both running for the seat’s next term.

With no Republicans running, the winner of the primary would be unopposed in November.

16th Senate District

The state’s new 16th Senate District is also open this fall, with former state Sen. Melissa Agard, D-Madison, running for Dane County executive.

Democratic state Reps. Jimmy Anderson, of Fitchburg, Samba Baldeh, of Madison, and Melissa Ratcliff, of Cottage Grove, are running for the seat. The winner of the August primary will run unopposed in November.

Unopposed incumbents

In addition to the incumbent matchups on tap for this fall, several sitting lawmakers are running unopposed in November.

Those include: