Assembly Minority Leader Greta Neubauer joins DLCC's board as Dems looks to win majorities in 2026
Wisconsin Assembly Minority Leader Greta Neubauer is joining the Board of Directors for the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC) — the national organization dedicated to electing Democrats to state legislatures.
The Racine Democrat, who has been in the Legislature since 2018 and has led Assembly Democrats since 2021, joins the board as Wisconsin Democrats seek majorities in both chambers for the first time in many years in 2026.
Neubauer said DLCC President Heather Williams asked her to join the board and it's a sign of the organization's 'deep commitment' to Wisconsin and understanding that a trifecta could be possible in 2026.
'They want to be a part of helping us flip this state blue,' Neubauer said. 'DLCC of course is focused on the national strategy of supporting democratic legislatures to win majorities in legislative chambers. They have had great success in the last few years… so I'm excited to be part of that national strategy work.'
Williams said in a statement that 'all eyes should be on the states in 2025' and Neubauer is a leader to watch.
'As state Democrats continue to overperform in special elections and counter the chaos in Washington, we are laying the foundation for Democratic success up and down the ticket,' Williams said. 'Our board members represent some of the sharpest minds in politics, and I'm excited to partner with them to build our plan for victory for cycles to come.'
In the past, the DLCC has invested in helping Wisconsin Democrats win and outlined strategies for winning targeted seats.
Neubauer said it has been helpful getting to know leaders in other states where Democrats have successfully flipped control of their legislative chambers including Michigan, Minnesota, Pennsylvania. She said she has learned a lot from those leaders and is trying to bring those lessons back to Democrats in Wisconsin, especially when it comes to preparing to be in the majority.
'When we do win, we want to take advantage of the opportunity and pass policy that is going to materially improve people's lives very quickly, so that's been really helpful to me to speak with them about how they prepared to govern, how they worked with their caucuses,' Neubauer said, adding that Democrats have 10 new Assembly members this year and hope to grow that number now that the Legislature has passed new maps that no longer overwhelmingly favor Republicans. 'The level of program that we run during the campaign cycle, the amount of money we need to raise and candidates we're supporting has grown significantly since we got the fair maps. I'm getting all sorts of advice from those leaders both about governing and about effectively campaigning, winning majorities.'
When it comes to its targets for 2025-26, Wisconsin is one of five of the DLCC's 'battleground' states where legislative majorities are determined by the slimmest of margins.
New legislative maps were put in place last year by the state Legislature and Gov. Tony Evers after the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled the old maps were an unconstitutional gerrymander. Democrats in Wisconsin haven't held a legislative majority in the Senate or Assembly since 2010, and under the old maps, Senate Republicans were able to win two-thirds of the seats, while Republicans held a 64-35 majority.
Under the new maps, Democrats in 2024 were able to pick up 10 Assembly seats and now hold 45 of 99 seats. They also added four Senate seats and now hold 15 seats out of 33 in that chamber.
Wisconsin's 2026 elections will be the first time that control of the Senate will be in play as only half of the body was up in the last election and Assembly Democrats will again be working to try to win a majority.
'It is absolutely doable, but it is going to take quite a bit of work,' Neubauer said.
Democratic lawmakers, she said, are taking a few approaches to getting things done for voters ahead of the next elections. This includes working across the aisle in the budget process to get investment into programs that Wisconsinites rely on, including child care and public schools and ensuring 'Republican attacks on our rights and freedoms are not successful' by upholding the governor's veto.
Neubauer said her party is also 'focused on that long-term vision and communicating what we will do when we have a Democratic trifecta — how we will change the state, how we will make Wisconsin a place where everyone has the ability to thrive, wants to live, raise a family, retire.' She noted that Democrats introduced a package of bills in January to address prescription drug access, ensure students have access to food in school and help improve housing, but Republicans haven't shown interest in them.
'We have a big and deep policy agenda that we've been working on for over a decade that we are ready to implement, and so we just have to get out and communicate about it,' Neubauer said. 'And that of course looks like fanning out across the state, both in districts we represent and other communities, and talking about the work that we need to get done.'
Neubauer said they are going to continue to work to lower costs, especially as 'Trump engages in reckless, irresponsible trade wars and weakens the economy for no good reason.' She said state legislatures are essential in pushing back on his agenda.
The first part of Trump's term in office could have an effect on Wisconsin Democrats' chances as well, Neubauer said.
'We have a number of Republican legislators who have really tried to position themselves as being moderate. They go home to their districts and they emphasize the bipartisan proposals that they've signed on to or tried to get passed, but what they don't talk about is their voting record being in line with Republican leadership almost 100% of the time,' Neubauer said.
Neubauer said that Wisconsin Republicans haven't distanced themselves from Trump's agenda.
'The first several months of the legislative session here in Wisconsin, we saw Republicans focused on culture wars rather than lowering costs for working families, making their lives easier, investing in our schools — the things that we all hear about when we run into our constituents at the grocery store,' Neubauer said. 'Republicans are going to have to answer for Donald Trump and his attacks on Wisconsin families next year, and that is going to be difficult for them to do in extremely purple districts.'
Wisconsin's gubernatorial election is also coming up in November 2026. Evers hasn't said whether he'll run for a third term, saying he'll likely decide after the next budget is done. Republican Josh Schoemann, who serves as the county executive of Washington, is the first candidate to announce his campaign.
'We're all eagerly awaiting that decision,' Neubauer said of Evers' choice whether to make a re-election bid. '[I] always look forward to working with the governor.'
Neubauer is one of seven legislative leaders joining the DLCC board alongside California Speaker of the Assembly Robert Rivas, Colorado Senate President James Coleman, Illinois Speaker Pro Tempore Kam Buckner, Michigan Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks, Oregon Speaker of the House Julie Fahey and Virginia Speaker of the House Don Scott.
New York Senate President Pro Tempore and Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, who also serves as the DLCC chair, said in a statement that she is thrilled Neubauer is joining.
'There has never been a more important time to ensure we have battle-tested, experienced leaders at the helm of Democratic strategy in the states as Donald Trump upends Washington and our economy,' Stewart-Cousins said, adding that Neubauer 'embodies the diverse expertise needed to drive and elevate our strategy to build durable state power through the end of the decade.'
SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Fox News
12 minutes ago
- Fox News
Fox News Poll: Support for deportation depends on who is being targeted
As the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency, or ICE, continues to crackdown on illegal immigration, about half of voters say the department is too aggressive in its deportation efforts. Furthermore, while support for deportation is high, it depends on who is being targeted. The latest Fox News survey, released Monday, finds 3 in 10 back deporting all illegal immigrants, while 6 in 10 supports only deporting those charged with crimes but would allow others to stay and apply for citizenship. One in 10 favors letting all illegal immigrants remain in the U.S. Since 2015, a majority has generally favored the deportation of illegal immigrants. Republicans (54%) are about eight times more likely than Democrats (7%) to say all illegal immigrants should be deported, and one-quarter of independents agree (25%). Roughly 8 in 10 Democrats, 6 in 10 independents, and 4 in 10 Republicans agree that at least illegal immigrants charged with crimes should be deported, while others should be offered a path to stay. On the current approach to deportation, however, views are divided. Half, 49%, feel ICE has been too aggressive in its efforts to deport illegal immigrants while a quarter (24%) say it has not been aggressive enough. Nearly 3 in 10 say deportation efforts are about right (27%). Most Democrats think ICE is too aggressive (81%), while Republicans are split between saying its actions are about right (43%) or not aggressive enough (40%). Some 17% of Republicans think ICE has been too aggressive. Independents are more likely to say the agency is too aggressive (49%) than about right (28%) or not aggressive enough (23%). When asked what concerns them about illegal immigration, the largest number of voters say that it overburdens government programs (39%). Fewer worry whether it leads to an increase in crime (16%) or terrorism (10%), takes jobs from U.S. citizens (14%), or changes the country's culture (9%). Concerns about illegal immigration have shifted somewhat compared to 15 years ago. At that time, by a 10-point margin, a greater share were worried about economic issues like overburdening government programs or taking away jobs from citizens (63% in 2010 vs. 53% now), and fewer were concerned about increasing crime (6% in 2010 vs. 16% now). Meanwhile, majorities oppose immigration-related elements included in the new budget legislation, the "One Big Beautiful Bill," as 55% are against increasing spending on the border wall and 59% oppose spending more on immigrant detention centers. By a 6-point margin, voters think the Republican Party is better able to handle immigration than the Democratic Party, and President Donald Trump's best job ratings are on border security (56% approve, 44% disapprove) and immigration (48%, 51%). Fewer voters approve on foreign policy (45%, 54%), the economy (44%, 55%), and inflation and tariffs (36%, 62% for both). Overall, 46% approve of his job performance, while 54% disapprove. One reason Trump does so well on border security is that 1 in 5 Democrats approve of the job he's doing – their highest rating on any issue tested. The same is true of independents as more than half approve, making border security his best issue. A look at Hispanic voters… On illegal immigration, attitudes among Hispanic voters look similar to those among voters overall: 60% support deporting illegal immigrants charged with crimes while 15% support deporting all those here illegally (23% say let all stay). The majority thinks ICE has been too aggressive (57%) with a quarter (24%) saying about right, and 1 in 5 not aggressive enough (19%). More than half of Hispanic voters like Trump's performance on border security (54% approve) but dislike it on immigration (60% disapprove). Overall, 42% approve and 58% disapprove. And like voters overall, the biggest concern on illegal immigration among Hispanic voters is overburdening government (35%). Otherwise, concern spreads across other issues such as crime (15%), jobs (14%), culture (14%), and terrorism (11%). Conducted July 18-21, 2025, under the direction of Beacon Research (D) and Shaw & Company Research (R), this Fox News survey includes interviews with a sample of 1,000 registered voters randomly selected from a national voter file. Respondents spoke with live interviewers on landlines (114) and cellphones (636) or completed the survey online after receiving a text (250). Results based on the full sample have a margin of sampling error of ±3 percentage points. Sampling error for results among subgroups is higher (among Hispanic voters it is ±9 percentage points). In addition to sampling error, question wording and order can influence results. Weights are generally applied to age, race, education, and area variables to ensure the demographics of respondents are representative of the registered voter population. Sources for developing weight targets include the American Community Survey, Fox News Voter Analysis and voter file data.


Bloomberg
12 minutes ago
- Bloomberg
Trump Administration Continues Cushioning Medicare Drug Premiums
Republicans lambasted Democrats last year for subsidizing monthly payments that seniors pay for prescription drug insurance, but the Trump administration is continuing the policy, it told insurers Monday. The Biden administration overhauled the way Medicare, the US program for the elderly and disabled, pays for prescription drugs. Democrats capped the amount of money seniors would have to spend on drugs they pick up at the pharmacy and allowed the program to negotiate what it would pay for some high-cost medications.


Fox News
12 minutes ago
- Fox News
ICE sit-in 'photo op' by Maryland Dems blasted by DHS chief Noem
The Department of Homeland Security is bashing Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., and other Democrats for attempting to "squeeze" out headlines by demanding to enter and staging a sit-in at an ICE facility in Baltimore on Monday. Van Hollen has been making headlines for much of this year due to his outspoken support for suspected MS-13 gang member Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who is a Salvadoran illegal immigrant currently on trial for human trafficking charges. Van Hollen and several other House and Senate Democrats from Maryland showed up in Baltimore at the Fallon Federal Building on Monday but were denied entry into an ICE detainment facility in the building. The group of lawmakers also included Sen. Angela Alsobrooks and four members of Maryland's House delegation: Reps. Glenn Ivey, Johnny Olszewski, Sarah Elfreth and Kweisi Mfume. In a video captured by the Baltimore Sun, Mfume can be heard telling a federal employee, "We expect, quite frankly, that we will be allowed entrance." After being denied access to the facility, the group held a press conference outside the building in which Mfume said, "We had to stand outside, bang on the door, and ultimately sit in front of the door." After the incident, Olszewski posted on his X, "My Maryland colleagues and I were DENIED ENTRY to the Baltimore ICE detention center—despite following all legal requirements." He claimed that "Congress has a legal right to inspect ICE facilities," adding that "amid reports of inhumane conditions, this refusal is alarming." In response, DHS released a statement saying, "Congressman, if you need a photo op with the violent criminal illegal aliens you are protecting—schedule a TOUR." The agency said that requests to visit detention facilities "should be made with sufficient time to prevent interference with the President's Article II authority to oversee executive department functions." The statement said that a week "is sufficient to ensure no intrusion on the President's constitutional authority" and that "any request to shorten that time must be approved" by DHS Secretary Kristi Noem. The agency released another statement asking: "How much publicity can sanctuary politicians squeeze out of one terrorist and suspected human trafficker?" The statement explained that visits to facilities have to be approved by the secretary due to a "surge in assaults, disruptions and obstructions to enforcement, including by politicians themselves." For her part, Noem posted pictures of several illegal immigrant criminals in Maryland she claimed are charged with heinous crimes such as rape, possession of child pornography, sexual abuse of a minor and conspiracy to commit murder. "These are the monsters that @ChrisVanHollen is protecting over Americans victims," said Noem. In response, Van Hollen's office directed Fox News Digital to a statement he made on social media in which he said, "Noem lies almost as much as her boss." Van Hollen said he supports ICE targeting "the worst of the worst" but he claimed that "ICE's OWN data shows that 72% of people held by ICE have no criminal records and 84% pose NO threat." He also said that the delegation had requested a visit, while adding "but we didn't need to—they're required by LAW to let us conduct oversight." "This is BS, plain and simple," said Van Hollen. According to a DHS statement last week, 70% of U.S. ICE arrests have been of illegal aliens convicted or charged with crimes. This comes as the agency is facing intense criticism for its enforcement of immigration laws and officers are dealing with an 830% increase in assaults. Olszewski's office also directed Fox News Digital to a statement the congressman made on X, in which he said the delegation was "not looking for a 'tour,' nor your permission to do our jobs." "This is oversight. Congress has the legal authority to enter ICE facilities — with or without notice. But to be clear: we gave the week's notice you claim to need. Why move goalposts? What are you hiding? This isn't about any one person, it's about due process — for everyone," he said. Fox News Digital also reached out to the office of Sen. Alsobrooks as well as the offices of Reps. Ivey, Elfreth and Mfume for comment, but did not receive responses by the time of publication.