Yesterday, (June 3) was the filing deadline for candidates to submit nomination signatures for this years elections. According to Wispolitics.com, more than two dozen Assembly Reps. will face a primary challenger this August. By comparison, just seven incumbents drew primary challengers in 2022, albeit none were successful in their attempts. The Wisconsin Elections Commission (WEC) will meet Monday to consider which candidates met the requirements to qualify for the ballot.
This list is only an initial look at the filings of candidacy and nomination paper submissions. An official list will be published after the WEC finalizes the names to appear on the ballot this fall. As always, the WASB is strictly nonpartisan and does not endorse candidates nor make political contributions. We are sharing this list to ensure that school leaders have the information they need to stay up to date on the fall election and races for the state Legislature.
Incumbents Facing Primary Challenges
- Rep. Joel Kitchens, R-Sturgeon Bay, who’s being challenged by Milt Swagel, of Kewaunee. Swagel challenged Kitchens unsuccessfully in 2022, getting 22.4% of the vote. Dem Renee Paplham, of Kewaunee, has also filed nomination papers and will face the winner in November.
- Rep. David Steffen, R-Green Bay, who’s being challenged by Darwin Behnke, the father of state Rep. Elijah Behnke, R-Oconto.
- Rep. Peter Schmidt, R-Bonduel, who’s being challenged by Elijah Behnke, who was drawn into the 4th AD under the new maps but decided to move to the 6th rather than face Steffen.
- Rep. Sylvia Ortiz-Velez, D-Milwaukee, who’s being challenged by Enrique Murguia, of Milwaukee.
- Rep. Tom Michalski, R-Elm Grove, who’s being challenged by Patricia Granger, of Wauwatosa. The winner will face Rep. Robyn Vining, D-Wauwatosa.
- Rep. Ryan Clancy, D-Milwaukee, who’s being challenged by Jarrod Anderson, an attorney.
- Rep. Janel Brandtjen, R-Menomonee Falls, who’s facing state Sen. Dan Knodl, R-Germantown.
- Rep. Paul Tittl, R-Manitowoc, who’s being challenged by Dave Wage, of Manitowoc.
- Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, who’s being challenged by Andrew Cegielski, of East Troy.
- ***Rep. Calvin Callahan, R-Tripoli, faces a possible primary challenge by Todd Mayr, of Antigo. Mayr filed a campaign registration statement and a declaration of candidacy in early May, but hadn’t yet filed the other required documents, including his signatures, as of early this afternoon.
- Rep. Scott Johnson, R-Jefferson, who faces a primary with Dylan Kurtz, R-Janesville, in the 43rd AD. Johnson was drawn into the 97th with Rep. Cindy Duchow, R-Town of Delafield, but decided to run for this seat.
- Reps. Michael Schraa, R-Oshkosh, and Nate Gustafson, R-Neenah, will square off after being drawn into the same district.
- Rep. Kevin Petersen, R-Waupaca, who’s being challenged by Duane Wilson, of Waupaca.
- Rep. Bob Donovan, R-Greenfield, who faces Martin Gomez, of Greenfield, in the 61st. Donovan was drawn into the 7th AD, but decided to run in this district.
- Rep. David Armstrong, R-Rice Lake, who’s being challenged by Jimmy Swenson, of Barron.
- Rep. Rob Summerfield, R-Bloomer, who’s being challenged by Cliff Taylor, of Ladysmith.
- Rep. Karen Hurd, R-Thorp, who’s being challenged by Lori Voss, of Abbotsford.
- Rep. Chanz Green, R-Mason, who’s being challenged by Scott Harbridge, of Radisson.
- Rep. Shelia Stubbs, D-Madison, who’s being challenged by Maia Pearson, a member of the Madison Board of Education.
- Rep. Mike Bare, D-Verona, who’s being challenged by Nasra Wehelie, a member of the Madison Common Council.
- Reps. Donna Rozar and John Spiros, both Marshfield Republicans, who were paired in the same seat under the new maps, will also face Trine Spindler, of Stratford.
- Rep. Barb Dittrich, R-Oconomowoc, who will face Hartland Village Board President Jeffrey Pfannerstill.
Incumbents without Challengers
- Rep. Darrin Madison, D-Milwaukee.
- Rep. Kalan Haywood, D-Milwaukee.
- Rep. William Penterman, R-Columbus, who moved to the 38th AD after he’d been drawn into a Dem seat.
- Rep. Clinton Anderson, D-Beloit.
- Rep. Robert Wittke, R-Racine, who moved to the 63rd after he’d been drawn into a Dem seat.
- Rep. Lisa Subeck, D-Madison.
- Rep. Alex Joers, D-Middleton.
- Rep. Cindi Duchow, R-Pewaukee.
Two other Dem state reps may avoid a challenger in November. A candidate filed a campaign registration statement to run as a Republican against Rep. Supreme Moore Omokunde, D-Milwaukee, on May 23, but hadn’t filed anything else since. Likewise, a candidate filed a registration statement Sept. 20 to run as a Republican against Rep. Francesca Hong, D-Madison, but hadn’t filed anything since. Official candidates will be posted after the WEC has reviewed all the nomination signatures.
