The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC) announced an ambitious plan today to flip both chambers of the Wisconsin state legislature in 2026, capitalizing on recent electoral gains and a shifting political landscape. The announcement came during a video press conference featuring Wisconsin Democratic Assembly Leader Greta Neubauer, who joined DLCC President Heather Williams to outline the strategy following Judge Susan Crawford’s decisive victory in a recent election.
The DLCC has been a key player in supporting Wisconsin Democrats as they battle what Williams described as an “aggressive gerrymander.” After securing new legislative maps last cycle, Democrats made significant strides in 2024, picking up 10 seats in the Assembly and 4 in the Senate. These gains have brought the party closer than it has been in over a decade to reclaiming majorities in both chambers. With the 2026 elections now in their sights, Democrats are framing state legislative races as critical opportunities to advance policy and build grassroots power.
“We’re the closest we’ve been to flipping both chambers in over a decade,” Williams said, pointing to a string of successes this year. “We’ve overperformed by 10 points on average across red, blue, and battleground districts nationwide, including flipping two districts Trump won by double digits. That’s real momentum down-ballot.”
Williams emphasized the importance of state-level investment, arguing that Democratic victories in legislative races demonstrate the effectiveness of a grassroots approach. “Our candidates are having face-to-face, honest conversations with voters of all stripes,” she said. “This overperformance makes it clear that Democrats need to invest greater resources where we’re winning – in the states.”
Neubauer echoed this sentiment, highlighting the party’s focus on addressing the needs of working families. She noted that after the 2024 gains, Wisconsin Democrats introduced a package of bills aimed at lowering prescription drug costs, easing homeownership for young families, and reducing grocery expenses for households with school-aged children. However, she accused Republicans of obstructing these efforts, instead aligning themselves with former President Donald Trump and billionaire donors like Elon Musk.
“Republicans continue to block these bills from moving forward, cozying up to Trump and Musk while working folks pay the price,” Neubauer said. “Voters are desperate for a government in Wisconsin that fights for them, not for billionaires pouring massive amounts of money into Republican state races.”
The press conference took a sharp turn as both leaders blamed Trump and congressional Republicans for economic struggles and policy failures affecting Wisconsinites. Williams pointed to the “pain” felt by communities under Trump’s influence, citing tariffs and budget cuts as key concerns. “This economy and people’s pain are not sitting at the feet of anyone else,” she said. “Community members expect their Republicans to stand up and make noise. This is unacceptable.”
Neubauer detailed the stakes for Wisconsin, warning of the potential fallout from Trump-era policies. “Farmers are terrified about what these tariffs are going to mean for them,” she said. “We have people who depend on Medicaid, Social Security, and Medicare who are extremely concerned, veterans feeling the impacts of cuts, and federal workers with no answers about their jobs.”
Looking ahead, the DLCC and Wisconsin Democrats are gearing up for an aggressive push toward a “Democratic trifecta” – control of the governorship and both legislative chambers – in 2026. Neubauer vowed to keep the pressure on, stating, “We intend to work every single day between now and November 2026 to talk to our voters about what we’re doing in Madison and what we will do when we have that trifecta.”
The DLCC, the official Democratic Party committee dedicated to state legislative races, has a track record of flipping a dozen chamber majorities over the past decade. With Wisconsin now a top priority, the committee sees the state as a proving ground for its broader mission to shape the future of American democracy through state-level wins.
As the 2026 elections approach, all eyes will be on Wisconsin, where Democrats hope to turn years of groundwork into a transformative victory.
Published April 4, 2025
