News of the Day November 11, 2026
Democrats Pick Hesselbein, Neubauer, to Lead Wisconsin Legislature

A week after flipping the state Legislature, Wisconsin Democrats are settling into seats of power at the Capitol.

On Tuesday, Senate and Assembly Democrats picked new leadership as they prepare to take the reins in the building. For the first time ever, two women will hold the top positions in the Legislature.

State Senator Dianne Hesselbein, D-Middleton, formerly the Senate minority leader, will serve as Senate majority leader. And Representative Greta Neubauer, D-Racine, formerly the Assembly minority leader, will serve as the Assembly’s first-ever female speaker.

Flanked by the 17 other senators, who will compose Democrats’ new 18-15 majority, Hesselbein said her caucus is still working out its priorities.

“We really want to bring those voices from those districts that really didn’t have any good representation in this building until this moment,” she said. “So we want to hear from those newly elected state senators and make sure that the priorities that we put forth really reflect the entire state of Wisconsin.”

Neubauer’s brief remarks on the Assembly floor were punctuated by applause from her 52 fellow Democrats, as she gave a broad overview of priorities.

“We are going to lower costs, build great schools and protect people’s rights. We will strengthen our democracy, make our state more just, safer and more welcoming,” she said. “Create good jobs, hold big corporations accountable and protect our environment.”

But the leaders were evasive when asked about the details of upcoming legislation, and which proposals might come to the floor after the new Legislature is sworn in in January.

“We’re going to be working on this — stay tuned,” said Hesselbein.