Targeting a trifecta: Both parties set sights on Wisconsin State Capitol control

CBS 58

MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- It’s been less than 72 hours since the August partisan primary election in Wisconsin, but already, both Democrats and Republicans have visions of victory in this November’s general election, with each side targeting a trifecta: control of both houses in the state Legislature as well as the governor’s mansion.

Both parties want full control of the Capitol to move their agendas forward. Democrats are confident with David Crowley atop the ticket, while Republicans say Tom Tiffany is energizing their party.

The last time Republicans held all three was under Gov. Scott Walker, a hold on power the party hopes to restore.

“Our trifecta will be less taxes and less regulation and really a corporative atmosphere between the governor’s office and the legislature that’s how things get done at the capitol,” Brian Schimming, Wisconsin State GOP chair, said.

As for Democrats, their last trifecta was from 2009-10, when Jim Doyle was still governor.

“We are confident about all the districts that are on our target list in the senate and the assembly we of course need to flip 5 within the state assembly these are also all districts where Kamala Harris won plurality and we are hearing voters really frustrated,” Representative Greta Neubauer (D), minority leader, said.

Democratic leadership at the Capitol says it’s focusing on western Wisconsin near Congressional District 3, where they feel they can pick up both state Assembly and Senate seats.

“I think that district wants change, and I think they want different people representing them whether that be in Wisconsin or Washington D.C. that I think is where a lot of the enthusiasm is happening in the state of Wisconsin,” State Sen. Dianne Hesselbein (D), minority leader, said.

Both parties say their bases are energized, but Republicans say they are focused on getting people to the polls, saying turning out their supporters to vote is what helps them win elections.

“Turn out helps republicans in this state we saw that with President Trump's victory in 2024: big turnout helps, we have about three and a half million that time, so the bigger turn out we get as, as many voters we get to the polls, Tom Tiffany is going to be sworn in as the next governor,” Schimming said.

The chair of the GOP says he will welcome President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance to come and campaign with Tom Tiffany and other candidates to help boost enthusiasm.

Democrats say they are focused on sharing their policy plans, which they say will help all Wisconsinites thrive.

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