Hesselbein Elected Wisconsin Senate Majority Leader

Wisconsin Senate Democrats elected Sen. Dianne Hesselbein of Middleton as majority leader for the 2027-28 legislative session, as the party prepares to take control of the chamber for the first time in years with an 18-15 majority. The caucus also chose Mark Spreitzer as Senate president, Kristin Dassler-Alfheim as assistant majority leader, Dora Drake as president pro tempore, Melissa Ratcliff as caucus chair and Jeff Smith as vice chair. Hesselbein says Democrats will focus on affordability and public services, including school funding, child care, health care and prescription costs; plans discussed by party leaders also include ending Act 10, which restricts public-sector union bargaining. Republicans have cited estimates that repealing the law could increase costs for schools and municipalities. The new leaders take office when lawmakers return in January.