Wisconsin has 24 contested state legislative primaries in 2026, 10% of all possible primaries and the second-smallest percentage since 2010. Fifteen of the primaries are for Democrats, and nine are for Republicans.
In 2026, 6% of the state legislative incumbents running for election in Wisconsin will face primary contests, down from a record high of 32% in 2024.
In total, six incumbents face contested primaries across the Wisconsin Assembly and Senate. The average number of incumbents contested each year from 2010 to 2024 was 11. Four of the contested incumbents are Democrats, and two are Republicans.
In total, 254 major party candidates—127 Democrats and 127 Republicans—filed to run. All of the state’s 99 Assembly seats and 17 of its 33 Senate seats are up for election. Eighteen of those seats are open, meaning no incumbents filed. The average number of open seats each election from 2010 to 2024 was 23.
Republicans have a 45-54 majority in the Assembly and an 18-15 majority in the Senate. Wisconsin has had a divided government since Gov. Tony Evers (D) assumed office in 2019.
Wisconsin’s state legislative primaries are scheduled for Aug. 11.
