MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin Democrats have selected their new legislative leaders as the party prepares to take control of both chambers of the state legislature for the first time in 16 years.
Senate Democrats elected Dianne Hesselbein (D-Middleton) as Majority Leader, while Mark Spreitzer (D-Beloit) will serve as Senate President. Republicans selected Julian Bradley (R-New Berlin) as Senate Minority Leader, making him the first Black lawmaker to lead a caucus in either chamber of the Wisconsin Legislature.
Hesselbein says Democrats plan to focus on lowering costs, improving public education and expanding access to health care. She also promised to work with Republicans, including giving their legislation opportunities for public hearings.
“I assured him that we will hear Republican bills. My door has always been open to the best ideas going forward,” Hesselbein said, referring to a conversation with Bradley. “It’s really our hope that we can not just show the state of Wisconsin, but the entire United States what the world can look like when we work together.”
Bradley says Republicans are willing to work with Democrats on issues like tax cuts and affordability, but warned that Democrats will be responsible for the decisions they make while controlling state government.
“They are in full control and so going to have to own their decisions,” Bradley said.
In the Assembly, Democrats elected Greta Neubauer (D-Racine) as Wisconsin’s first female Assembly Speaker. Kalan Haywood (D-Milwaukee) will serve as Majority Leader. Assembly Republicans selected Tyler August (R-Walworth) as Minority Leader and Nate Gustafson (R-Omro) as Assistant Minority Leader.
“We are united and we are ready to govern,” Neubauer said. “We are going to lower costs, build great schools and protect people’s rights.”
Neubauer says Democrats are already discussing their priorities for the upcoming session, including school funding, housing affordability, prescription drug costs and marijuana legalization. She says the party intends to move quickly once lawmakers return to Madison.
Democrats will enter the upcoming legislative session with an 18-15 majority in the Senate and a 53-46 majority in the Assembly. The new leadership teams will begin their roles in January, alongside incoming Democratic Governor David Crowley.
