Transition Begins as Wisconsin Lawmakers Prepare for Next Legislative Session

For the first time in 16 years, Democrats will control the governor’s office the State Senate and the State Assembly in Wisconsin, and state legislators began the transition by starting leadership elections on Thursday.

Following this week's General Election, State Senate Republicans on Thursday elected their leadership for the 2027-28 legislative session. They are:

• State Senator Julian Bradley (R-New Berlin) - Senate Minority Leader
• State Senator Romaine Quinn (R-Birchwood) - Assistant Minority Leader
• State Senator Rachael Cabral-Guevara (R-Appleton) - Caucus Chair
• State Senator Dan Feyen (R-Fond du Lac) - Caucus Vice Chair

The Senate Democrats, Assembly Democrats and Assembly Republicans will select their leadership in coming days.

The legislature's Joint Committee on Finance will meet Tuesday to vote on the transition budget for the newly elected governor. In related news, Gov.-Elect David Crowley reportedly said Wednesday that affordability and healthcare top his priority list when he is sworn into office in January.

The inauguration of Wisconsin constitutional officers and legislators will be held on January 4, 2027.

Election Recap

Wisconsin Elections Commission officials said Tuesday's election was administered in a "smooth and successful" way, without any significant issues. Despite minor disruptions at a handful of polling places, polls across the state opened on time and results were reported in an orderly manner. There were just a few minor, isolated incidents that were quickly addressed:

• Ballot jams and voting equipment malfunctions, less than two dozen reported to the WEC; and
• Brief power outages at two polling locations in Milwaukee.

Although official vote totals are not yet available, the Associated Press reported that at least 2,660,389 votes were cast in the governor's race. Wisconsin's 2026 estimated voting-age population is 4,786,065, according to the latest figures by Demographic Services Center. That would put voter turnout in Wisconsin at roughly 55.5 percent.