Wisconsin Democrats are pursuing a statehouse trifecta in 2026—control of the state Senate, the Assembly and the governorship—after a period of Republican rule that has lasted for 16 years. The effort, Democrats say, is being shaped by district boundary changes ordered by the state Supreme Court, an open governor’s race this fall and what they view as a favorable midterm election cycle.
Talk to Wisconsin Democrats about what they want next year, and the “trifecta” comes up, the Associated Press reported Friday from Madison. Democratic officials and strategists framed the opportunity as a way to shift Wisconsin policy in ways Democrats have long sought, including expanding Medicaid, increasing funding for public schools and restoring collective bargaining for public workers.
“It’s a difficult time in national politics,” Democratic Assembly Minority Leader Greta Neubauer told The Associated Press, “but we’re hopeful about the future and have been working for many years to be in a position where a Democratic trifecta is possible in Wisconsin and our state is able to go in a new direction.”
Republicans, while acknowledging Democrats’ chances, pointed to how a change in control could unwind priorities that solidified during the early 2010s. The AP said Republicans took control of the state legislature in 2010 and elected Scott Walker governor, a sequence that was later described as part of the “Cheesehead Revolution,” a label tied to figures including Reince Priebus and Paul Ryan.
The AP also described Walker’s influence as conservative policies, helped by legislative maps that tilted electoral advantages toward Republicans. It said Walker was briefly seen as a frontrunner for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination but bowed out before any primary votes were cast after Donald Trump became the nominee, leaving Republicans now concerned that their Wisconsin gains could be reversed.
Among Democratic governor’s candidates, Mandela Barnes and Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez have publicly leaned into the trifecta goal as part of their campaigns. Barnes said in a December fundraising appeal, “Let’s finally get a blue trifecta in Wisconsin in 2026!” Rodriguez posted on X that “Wisconsin has a real shot at a Democratic trifecta next year,” adding, “Let’s go win it.”
While Democrats express optimism, some party strategists cautioned against assuming success is guaranteed. Melissa Baldauff, a strategist who previously worked on Gov. Tony Evers’ team, said, “A lot of the ingredients for success are there, but there’s no guarantees,” adding that “It takes a lot of hard work, it takes good candidates.”
Fundraising and court-driven political openings have already fueled the Democrats’ case. The AP said liberals have gained a majority on the Wisconsin Supreme Court and are seeking to increase their hold in an April election. It reported that the liberal candidate raised $2 million versus $200,000 for the Republican-backed opponent.
The November governor’s race is also being cast as pivotal because it is open for the first time since 2010, after Evers decided against seeking a third term. The AP said Democrats have never held the governor’s office for more than eight years in a row, and described a crowded Democratic field that includes Barnes, Rodriguez and two current lawmakers, along with candidates connected to Milwaukee County and state government roles under Evers.
Recent fundraising figures highlighted the race’s early momentum. The AP reported that Barnes, described by many as the frontrunner, raised $555,000 in his first 29 days as a candidate, while Rodriguez reported raising $650,000 for the year after getting into the race in July. On the Republican side, the AP said Tom Tiffany—described as the presumptive frontrunner—has raised more than $2 million since entering the race in September, and that his primary opponent, Josh Schoemann, raised $1 million last year.
Democrats’ Legislature strategy also depends on maps and seats. The AP said the November election will be the first time legislative seats are under new district boundary lines drawn to replace more Republican-favorable ones ordered by the state Supreme Court. It said Democrats need to flip two Senate seats and five Assembly seats to take majority control.
Republican leaders disputed the idea that the race is already decided. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos expressed confidence about keeping the majority even in a year with “wind at our face,” and faulted Democrats for spending too much time focused on “anti-Trumpism” rather than a plan for what they would do if elected. Vos said Democrats’ issues are “all focusing on fighting what Donald Trump is delivering on.”
Longtime Wisconsin liberal activist Scot Ross urged Democrats to treat the trifecta as a means rather than a message. “Trifecta isn’t a strategy and it’s not a message,” Ross said, adding, “I love that Dems in Wisconsin want to talk aggressively about getting power, but people have to believe you will use that power to actually make your lives better.”
The AP also reported Republican consultant Brian Reisinger as saying the electorate is likely to remain evenly divided for a long time, even as Democrats pursue the statehouse overhaul.