2026 preview: Top Senate Democrat says affordability key to winning majority, won't talk Dugan impeachment

MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- 2026 has the potential to be one of the most consequential years in Wisconsin politics during the 21st century. Voters here will elect a new governor, and Democrats believe they can win control of at least one of the two legislative chambers for the first time since 2010.

The Democrats' best shot at a majority is in the state Senate, where Republicans currently hold an 18-15 majority. Through new voting maps enacted after the Wisconsin Supreme Court struck down Republican-drawn boundaries, Democrats believe they're in position to flip the two seats necessary to hold a majority in the Senate.

Senate Minority Leader Dianne Hesselbein (D-Middleton) said she was confident Democrats' message will resonate with voters because it will revolve around affordability.

"I would say the biggest problem facing Wisconsin is rising costs," she said.

Hesselbein said Senate Democrats will focus on three areas, in particular: lowering prescription drug costs, expanding the homestead tax credit and providing free breakfast and lunch in public schools.

"We know what [free meals] would do for students," Hesselbein said. "It would improve their behavior, improve their test scores. It would be good for families, and the added bonus is we found out it would save families about $1,800 a year on grocery costs."

In Wisconsin, the Homestead Tax Credit is currently eligible for households with an income of $24,680 or less. Democrats introduced a bill in January that would've raised that income cap to $35,000.

On the issue of affordability, many homeowners across Wisconsin have expressed shock at significant property tax increases on their 2025 bills.

Property taxes are influenced by a number of different variables, including local assessments and school district levies. Republicans have focused on the latter, blaming a 2023 partial budget veto from Democratic Gov. Tony Evers that gave school districts that ability to raise their property tax levy by $325 per student for the next 400 years, which the state Supreme Court's liberal majority upheld as legal back in April.

Hesselbein said the real culprit for the higher taxes was Republicans' refusal to increase general K-12 school funding in the current two-year state budget, forcing school districts to turn to taxpayers either through referendums or raising their tax levies.

"I think we are seeing consequences of the Republicans' inaction of funding K-12 schools like they should be," Hesselbein said.

Instead of increasing general school aid, the current budget raised special education reimbursements, going from covering 33% of a district's special ed costs to 42% this year and 45% next year.

When asked if she supports Evers' 400-year partial veto allowing annual property tax hikes, Hesselbein said, "Yes, I do."

Nothing to say on possible Dugan impeachment

Democratic bills on the homestead credit, prescription drug costs and free school meals all have gone nowhere with Republicans in control of the Legislature.

However, Republicans in the Assembly have signaled they'll look to move forward with articles of impeachment against Milwaukee Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan, who was convicted by a jury last month on a felony charge of interfering with a federal agency.

Dugan was accused of helping an undocumented migrant evade ICE agents when he appeared in her courtroom for a hearing last April. 

In her federal trial, the jury acquitted Dugan of a misdemeanor charge of helping an individual avoid arrest. Dugan's legal team is asking the judge to review the jury's split decision while it also prepares to appeal the verdict to a higher court. 

Assembly Republicans would need a simple majority to impeach Dugan, but in the Senate, a two-thirds majority vote would be needed to convict and remove the judge.

When asked how Senate Democrats would respond if Assembly Republicans voted to impeach Dugan, Hesselbein declined to offer much comment.

"We haven't talked about that," she said. "But I also know there's an appeal process going on, so I'm not gonna second-guess or talk about legal matters."

Hesselbein said she followed Dugan's trial "a little bit" and declined to offer an opinion when asked if she felt the judge had done anything wrong.

"Once again, I'm not gonna weigh in on legal matters," she said.

No endorsement coming in primary for governor

In addition to seeking a majority in at least part of the Legislature, Democrats hope to hold onto the governor's office. Evers announced last summer he will not seek a third term.

Since Evers' announcement, more than half a dozen Democrats have declared their candidacy for governor. The field so far includes Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, State Sen. Kelda Roys, State Rep. Francesca Hong, former WEDC Secretary Missy Hughes and former Department of Administration Secretary Joel Brennan.

2018 was the last time Wisconsin Democrats had a contested primary race for governor. That year, Hesselbein endorsed former State Rep. Dana Wachs. 

This time around, Hesselbein said she will not issue an endorsement in the party's gubernatorial primary.

"I have a lot of friends running for the governor's position right now, so I will not be endorsing in this race," she said. "I've served in caucuses with them, either in the Senate or the Assembly."

Hesselbein added she did not believe a drawn-out primary campaign would hurt the party's chances in next fall's general election. When asked if she was comfortable with the idea of seven or more candidates on the primary ballot in August, Hesselbein said she was.

"Oh, absolutely," Hesselbein said. "I think the people in the state of Wisconsin are gonna have a nice time voting in that race, and we'll see who comes out of it."

The party's steepest path to power is in the Assembly. While Democrats made gains in 2024, they still need to flip five more seats in order to win control of that chamber.