Ben Wikler, who shepherded the state Dem Party through an unprecedented run of financial success, announced today he won’t seek another two-year term as chair this summer.
Wikler’s decision comes after he unsuccessfully ran for national party chair. That February loss prompted speculation he wouldn’t seek reelection as leader of the state party.
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Wikler wrote in a letter to Wisconsin Dems that the state party is in “extraordinarily strong shape” after helping secure a liberal majority on the state Supreme Court through at least 2028, adding Dems are poised to retain the guv’s office and win control of the Legislature in 2026 to give them a trifecta.
His announcement comes a week after Susan Crawford’s victory in the state Supreme Court race as the party transferred $11.4 million to her campaign.
“Now is the right time for me to take a breath, and to find new ways to advance the fight for a country that works for working people, and one that honors every person’s fundamental freedom and dignity,” Wikler wrote, adding he will “take some time to figure out what’s next.”
The party will elect his successor at its June convention in the Wisconsin Dells. WisPolitics reported in January that operative Joe Zepecki and 3rd CD Chair William Garcia had been making calls on a possible run if Wikler decided against seeking another term. State Sen. Kelda Roys, D-Madison, also said at the time she had been encouraged to consider a bid if the seat were open.
Since Wikler took office, Dems have won 10 of the past 13 statewide races with his only losses the 2024 presidential campaign and the 2022 contests for U.S. Senate and state treasurer. His wins include flipping control of the state Supreme Court to a 4-3 liberal majority from the 5-2 edge conservatives had when he took office and then locking that edge in until at least 2028.
The party has also been on an unprecedented financial run. The state party says it has raised $206 million since Wikler took office in early June 2019 through its state and federal accounts.
