In a significant shift, Wisconsin voters have elected Democrats to control both the state Senate and Assembly, granting the party a trifecta in state government. The results from the election on November 6, 2026, saw Democrats secure an 18-15 majority in the Senate and a 53-46 majority in the Assembly, while also winning all statewide executive offices, including the governorship.
The election results align with a national trend favoring Democratic candidates, who garnered more support overall compared to previous elections. In addition to their legislative victories, Democrats flipped the 1st and 3rd congressional districts, resulting in a 4-4 split in Wisconsin’s House delegation. Even in districts where Republicans succeeded, Democratic candidates significantly narrowed the margins.
Democratic gubernatorial candidate David Crowley achieved a notable victory, winning by 8 percentage points over Republican Tom Tiffany. This margin is a marked improvement compared to the narrower victories by Democratic Governor Tony Evers in 2018 and 2022, where he won by 3.4 and 1.1 points, respectively. Crowley notably increased Democratic support in central and eastern Wisconsin, particularly in Milwaukee County, where he expanded the Democratic lead by 9.2 percentage points, attracting nearly three times the votes of Tiffany.
Tiffany, while ultimately losing, did receive more votes in several regions compared to the 2022 Republican gubernatorial candidate Tim Michels. In Lafayette County, for instance, Tiffany secured 56.4% of the vote, a 5.4-point increase over Michels’ performance.
Democrats have continued to enhance their presence in Wisconsin’s densely populated counties, including Waukesha, Milwaukee, and Dane. A noteworthy shift occurred in Ozaukee County, where the Democratic margin improved from a 25-point Republican lead in 2018 to just a 5-point lead this year. However, Democrats experienced losses in some rural areas. In Ashland County, the Democratic lead decreased by 8.5 points, while support in counties like Lafayette, Marquette, and Pepin has dwindled over the last three elections.
The implications of these election outcomes will shape Wisconsin’s political landscape in the coming years, especially regarding state policies and legislative priorities.
