2025 Wisconsin elections
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| Elections in Wisconsin |
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The 2025 Wisconsin elections are scheduled to be held in the U.S. state of Wisconsin on April 1, 2025. Statewide contests on the ballot will include a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court and an election for Superintendent of Public Instruction of Wisconsin. The election will also feature several other local and judicial elections.[1]
Primary elections were held on February 18, 2025. The filing deadline to appear on the ballot for this election was January 7, 2025.[2]
State offices
[edit]Executive
[edit]Superintendent of Public Instruction
[edit]A regularly-scheduled election for Superintendent of Public Instruction of Wisconsin will be on the ballot for the general election on April 1, 2025. The incumbent superintendent Jill Underly, first elected in 2021, is running for a second four-year term.[3]
Jill Underly and education consultant Brittany Kinser advanced to the April 1 general election; Sauk County superintendent Jeff Wright was eliminated in the nonpartisan primary.[4]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonpartisan Primary, February 18, 2025 (unofficial results)[5] | |||||
| Nonpartisan | Jill Underly (incumbent) | 177,397 | 37.97% | +10.74pp | |
| Nonpartisan | Brittany Kinser | 161,586 | 34.58% | ||
| Nonpartisan | Jeff Wright | 128,256 | 27.45% | ||
| Total votes | 467,239 | 100.0% | +43.29% | ||
| General Election, April 1, 2025 | |||||
| Nonpartisan | Jill Underly (incumbent) | ||||
| Nonpartisan | Brittany Kinser | ||||
| Total votes | |||||
Judicial
[edit]State Supreme Court
[edit]A regularly-scheduled Wisconsin Supreme Court election will be on the ballot for the general election on April 1, 2025, for a ten-year term on the court. The incumbent judge, Ann Walsh Bradley, first elected in 1995, is not running for re-election.[1] Two candidates have declared for this race, Wisconsin circuit court judges Susan M. Crawford, of Dane County, and Brad Schimel, of Waukesha County.
State Court of Appeals
[edit]Three seats on the Wisconsin Court of Appeals will be on the ballot for the general election on April 1, 2025.[6]
- In District II, incumbent judge Mark Gundrum is running unopposed for a third six-year term. He was appointed to the court by Governor Scott Walker in 2011 and won election in 2013 and 2019 without opposition.
- In District III, incumbent judge Lisa K. Stark is running unopposed for a third six-year term. She was elected without opposition in 2013 and re-elected without opposition in 2019. After winning her first election, she was appointed to begin her term early due to a vacancy.
- In District IV, incumbent judge Jennifer E. Nashold is running unopposed for a second six-year term. She was first elected without opposition in 2019.
State circuit courts
[edit]Thirty eight of the state's 261 circuit court seats will be on the ballot for the general election on April 1, 2025. Only eight seats will see a contested election; five incumbent judges are facing a challenger.[6]
- In Jefferson County's branch 1 race, incumbent judge Will Gruber faces a challenge from attorney Jack Chavez.
- In Jefferson County's branch 2 race, incumbent judge Theresa Beck faces a challenge from attorney Jennifer Weber
- In La Crosse County, family court commissioner Eric Sanford and attorney Joe Veenstra will compete for the seat being vacated by the retirement of judge Ramona Gonzalez.
- In Marinette County, incumbent judge Peggy Miller faces a challenge from district attorney DeShea Morrow.[7]
- In Racine County, incumbent judge Jon Fredrickson faces a challenge from public defender Jamie McClendon.[8]
- In St. Croix County, county corporation counsel Heather Amos and deputy district attorney Brian Smestad will compete for the seat being vacated by the retirement of judge Edward Vlack. Attorney James Johnson was eliminated in the primary.[9]
- In Waukesha County's branch 4 race, incumbent judge Bridget Schoenborn faces a challenge from assistant district attorney David Maas.
- In Waukesha County's branch 6 race, former circuit judge Fred Strampe and assistant district attorney Zach Wittchow will compete for the seat being vacated by the retirement of judge Brad Schimel.
| Circuit | Branch | Incumbent | Notes | Candidate(s) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Entered office | ||||
| Brown | 3 | Tammy Jo Hock | 2012 | Appointed by Scott Walker | Tammy Jo Hock |
| 4 | Samantha Wagner | 2024 | Appointed by Tony Evers | Samantha Wagner | |
| 7 | Timothy A. Hinkfuss | 2007 | Timothy A. Hinkfuss | ||
| Crawford | Lukas Steiner | 2024 | Appointed by Tony Evers | Lukas Steiner | |
| Dane | 2 | Payal Khandhar | 2024 | Appointed by Tony Evers | Payal Khandhar |
| 16 | Rhonda L. Lanford | 2013 | Rhonda L. Lanford | ||
| Dodge | 3 | Joseph G. Sciascia | 2013 | Incumbent retiring. | Chad Wozniak |
| Eau Claire | 2 | Douglas Hoffer | 2024 | Appointed by Tony Evers | Douglas Hoffer |
| Green | 2 | Jane Bucher | 2024 | Appointed by Tony Evers | Jane Bucher[10] |
| Jefferson | 1 | William V. Gruber | 2018 | Appointed by Scott Walker | William V. Gruber John A. Chavez |
| 2 | Theresa Beck | 2024 | Appointed by Tony Evers | Theresa Beck Jennifer L. Weber | |
| La Crosse | 1 | Ramona A. Gonzalez | 1995 | Incumbent retiring. | Joe Veenstra Eric S. Sanford |
| 2 | Elliott Levine | 2007 | Elliott Levine | ||
| 4 | Scott L. Horne | 2007 | Scott L. Horne | ||
| Lafayette | Jenna Gill | 2024 | Appointed by Tony Evers | Jenna Gill | |
| Lincoln | 2 | Robert Russell | 2013 | Incumbent retiring. | Jessica Fehrenbach |
| Manitowoc | 1 | Mark R. Rohrer | 2013 | Mark R. Rohrer | |
| Marinette | 1 | Peggy Miller | 2024 | Appointed by Tony Evers | Peggy L. Miller DeShea D'aun Morrow |
| 2 | James A. Morrison | 2012 | Appointed by Scott Walker | James A. Morrison | |
| Marquette | Chad A. Hendee | 2019 | Chad A. Hendee | ||
| Milwaukee | 6 | John Remington | 2024 | Appointed by Tony Evers | John Remington |
| 11 | David C. Swanson | 2013 | David C. Swanson | ||
| 26 | William S. Pocan | 2006 | Appointed by Jim Doyle | William S. Pocan | |
| 36 | Laura A. Crivello | 2018 | Appointed by Scott Walker | Laura A. Crivello | |
| 40 | Danielle L. Shelton | 2019 | Danielle L. Shelton | ||
| 41 | Lena Taylor | 2024 | Appointed by Tony Evers | Lena Taylor | |
| Monroe | 1 | Todd L. Ziegler | 2007 | Todd L. Ziegler | |
| Ozaukee | 1 | Adam Y. Gerol | 2024 | Appointed by Tony Evers | Adam Y. Gerol |
| 2 | Steve Cain | 2019 | Steve Cain | ||
| Racine | 4 | Scott Craig | 2024 | Appointed by Tony Evers | Scott Craig |
| 7 | Jon E. Fredrickson | 2018 | Appointed by Scott Walker | Jon E. Fredrickson Jamie McClendon | |
| Rock | 1 | Karl R. Hanson | 2018 | Appointed by Scott Walker | Karl R. Hanson |
| 2 | Derrick A. Grubb | 2018 | Appointed by Scott Walker | Derrick A. Grubb | |
| St. Croix | 2 | Edward F. Vlack III | 2001 | Appointed by Scott Walker Incumbent retiring. |
Heather M. Amos James Jamie Johnson Brian T. Smestad |
| Waukesha | 1 | Michael O. Bohren | 2000 | Appointed by Tommy Thompson Incumbent retiring. |
Scott Wagner[11] |
| 4 | Bridget Schoenborn | 2024 | Appointed by Tony Evers | David Maas Bridget Schoenborn | |
| 6 | Brad D. Schimel | 2018 | Appointed by Scott Walker Incumbent retiring. |
Fred Strampe Zach Wittchow[12] | |
| Wood | 1 | Gregory James Jerabek | 2024 | Appointed by Tony Evers | Gregory James Jerabek |
Ballot measures
[edit]Spring Question 1
[edit]
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Photographic identification for voting. Shall section 1m of article III of the constitution be created to require that voters present valid photographic identification verifying their identity in order to vote in any election, subject to exceptions which may be established by law? | ||
One constitutional amendment will appear on the ballot at the Spring general election, April 1, 2025. The amendment deals with the issue of voter ID in Wisconsin. Currently Wisconsin law requires that an active form of identification must be submitted to vote.[13]
The question reads:
Photographic identification for voting. Shall section 1m of article III of the constitution be created to require that voters present valid photographic identification verifying their identity in order to vote in any election, subject to exceptions which may be established by law?
Local offices
[edit]Dane County
[edit]There will be a regularly scheduled county executive election in Dane County, Wisconsin, concurrent with the general election on April 1, 2025. The incumbent is Melissa Agard, who was first elected in the 2024 special election, she will face Stephen Ratzlaff in the general election. Ratzlaff was previously a candidate for state assembly in 2020 and 2021.[14]
Sheboygan County
[edit]There will be a regularly scheduled mayoral election in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, concurrent with the general election on April 1, 2025. The incumbent mayor Ryan Sorenson, first elected in 2021, will face city councilmember John Belanger in the general election.[15]
Winnebago County
[edit]Oshkosh mayor
[edit]There will be a regularly scheduled mayoral election in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, concurrent with the general election on April 1, 2025. The incumbent mayor Matt Mugerauer, first elected in 2023, is running unopposed for re-election.[16]
Winnebago County executive
[edit]There will be a regularly scheduled county executive election in Winnebago County, Wisconsin, concurrent with the general election on April 1, 2025. Incumbent county executive Jon Doemel is running for re-election.[17] He will face former state Assembly minority leader Gordon Hintz.[18] Winnebago County sheriff John Matz was eliminated in the primary election.[19]
See also
[edit]- Elections in Wisconsin
- Clarke v. Wisconsin Elections Commission
- Bilingual elections requirement for Wisconsin (per Voting Rights Act Amendments of 2006)[20]
- Political party strength in Wisconsin
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Justice Ann Walsh Bradley won't seek reelection in '25, when liberal majority will be on the line". WisPolitics.com. April 11, 2024. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
- ^ Kaska, Jimmie (November 29, 2024). "Spring Election dates and deadlines: Dec. 1 first date to circulate paperwork". Civic Media. Archived from the original on February 23, 2025. Retrieved November 30, 2024.
- ^ "Underly campaign: Announces re-election campaign". WisPolitics. September 11, 2024. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
- ^ "Jeff Wright announces candidacy for Wisconsin State Superintendent of Public Instruction". WEAU 13 News. October 7, 2024. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
- ^ "Wisconsin Superintendent of Public Education Primary Election Results". The New York Times. February 18, 2025. Retrieved February 20, 2025.
- ^ a b Candidate Tracking by Office - 2025 Spring Election - 4/1/2025 (Report). Wisconsin Elections Commission. January 27, 2025. p. 1. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
- ^ Meyer, Ann (December 28, 2024). "Candidates for judge say drugs are biggest crime issue". Peshtigo Times. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
- ^ Asiyanbi, Heather (January 9, 2025). "April 2025 Election: Candidates who hope to earn your vote for municipal office and school board seats". Racine County Eye. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
- ^ White, Jack (February 19, 2025). "Spring Primary Unofficial Election Results: Smestad, Amos move on in Circuit Court Judge Primary". Hudson Star-Observer. Retrieved February 20, 2025.
- ^ "Bucher campaign: Announces election campaign". WisPolitics. November 4, 2024. Retrieved December 28, 2024.
- ^ "Wagner campaign: Scott Wagner launches campaign for Waukesha Circuit Court, Branch 01". WisPolitics. May 17, 2024. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
- ^ "Wittchow campaign: Waukesha County Prosecutor announces campaign for judge". WisPolitics. May 29, 2024. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
- ^ Van Wagtendonk, Ayna (January 14, 2025). "Voters to decide whether to enshrine voter ID law into Wisconsin Constitution". Wisconsin Public Radio. Retrieved January 24, 2025.
- ^ DuClos, Danielle (January 10, 2025). "Melissa Agard and Steinhafels salesman vie for Dane County executive". The Capital Times. Retrieved January 21, 2025.
- ^ Garner, Alex (December 9, 2024). "Candidates, including Ryan Sorenson, declare they're running for mayor in the spring". Sheboygan Press. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
- ^ April 2025 Common Council Election (PDF) (Report). City of Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
- ^ Hale, Lisa M. (November 13, 2024). "John Matz announces bid for Winnebago County Executive". Civic Media. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
- ^ "Hintz campaign: Announces candidacy for Winnebago County Exec". WisPolitics. November 18, 2024. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
- ^ Moore, Landen (November 12, 2024). "Winnebago County sheriff running for county executive". WHBY Real. Local. Radio. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
- ^ "Covered Areas for Voting Rights Bilingual Election Materials—2015", Voting Rights Act Amendments of 2006, Determinations Under Section 203, Federal Register, December 5, 2016, retrieved October 13, 2020,
A Notice by the Census Bureau on 12/05/2016
External links
[edit]- Wisconsin Elections Commission
- Wisconsin at Ballotpedia
- Government Documents Round Table of the American Library Association, "Wisconsin", Voting & Elections Toolkits
- "Wisconsin: Election Tools, Deadlines, Dates, Rules, and Links", Vote.org, Oakland, CA
- "League of Women Voters of Wisconsin". September 7, 2017. (state affiliate of the U.S. League of Women Voters)