As voters in Milwaukee prepare for the Nov. 3 general election, the roles and responsibilities of those on the ballot are still a mystery to some.
Wonder no more. Our partners at Wisconsin Watch demystified the roles of elected officials as part of its 2026 Voter Guide. We’re sharing that information with you.
From governors and state senators to the secretary of state, here’s what they do.
What do governors do?
Wisconsin’s governor is the state’s top executive. The governor considers all bills approved by the Legislature and has the power to sign, veto or, in the case of appropriation bills, partially veto proposed legislation that comes to their desk. They can also call the Legislature into special sessions and ask lawmakers to consider specific types of legislation.
The governor appoints heads of executive agencies, such as the state Department of Natural Resources, and many state boards and commissions. Most appointees require Senate confirmation.
The governor also can make appointments to vacant judicial seats and county-level offices.
Wisconsin’s governor has the power to pardon or grant clemency to individuals in the state’s criminal justice system.
The governor is the commander in chief of the Wisconsin National Guard and can decide if and when to deploy soldiers.
Here are the candidates: Democrat David Crowley and Republican Tom Tiffany.
Learn more about the governor election from the Wisconsin Watch Voter Guide.
What does the attorney general do?
The attorney general heads the Wisconsin Department of Justice, which provides legal advice and representation, investigates criminal activity and provides various law enforcement services for the state.
The attorney general is one of three members of the state’s Board of Commissioners of Public Lands along with the secretary of state and the state treasurer.
Here are the candidates: Republican Eric Toney and Democrat Josh Kaul (incumbent)
Learn more about the attorney general election from the Wisconsin Watch Voter Guide.
What does the lieutenant governor do?
The lieutenant governor serves as Wisconsin’s governor when there is a vacancy in the state’s top executive office.
The person takes on duties assigned by the governor, which can include serving on statutory or nonstatutory boards, committees or intergovernmental programs and coordinating state programs.
Here are the candidates: Democrat Sarah Godlewski (current secretary of state) and Republican David Varnam.
The candidates who won their primaries form joint tickets with their party’s gubernatorial nominees, which means Godlewski is on the ballot with Democratic nominee David Crowley and Varnam joins Republican nominee Tom Tiffany.
Learn more about the lieutenant governor election from the Wisconsin Watch Voter Guide.
What does the secretary of state do?
The secretary of state is Wisconsin’s official record keeper, which includes keeping track of enrolled laws, resolutions, official acts, fees, positions and appointments. They also maintain the state seal and add it to official acts taken by the governor.
Unlike many other states, the secretary of state does not administer Wisconsin’s elections. That power lies with local governments and the Wisconsin Elections Commission.
The secretary of state is one of three members of the state’s Board of Commissioners of Public Lands along with the attorney general and the state treasurer.
Here are the candidates: Republican Jay Schroeder, Wisconsin Green Party candidate Pete Karas and Democrat JoCasta Zamarripa
Learn more about the secretary of state election from the Wisconsin Watch Voter Guide.
What does the treasurer do?
The treasurer signs checks and oversees the promotion of Wisconsin’s unclaimed property program.
The treasurer is one of three members of the state’s Board of Commissioners of Public Lands along with the attorney general and the secretary of state.
Here are the candidates: Republican John Leiber (incumbent) and Democrat Yee Leng Xiong
Learn more about the treasurer election from the Wisconsin Watch Voter Guide.
What do state representatives do?
State representatives write, review and vote on legislation that becomes state law if approved by the Legislature and signed by the governor.
State representatives serve on one or more of 37 committees that take public testimony on bills and review legislation.
They work on a state budget every other year to determine how tens of billions of dollars are spent.
State representatives also oversee a small staff that helps provide constituent services. Each member of the Assembly represents roughly 59,000 people.
Here are the candidates in Milwaukee races:
District 7: Democrat Karen Kirsch (incumbent) and Republican Lee Whiting
District 8: Republican Angel Sanchez and Democrat Ismael Luna
District 9: Democrat Priscilla Prado (incumbent) and Republican Samuel Guerrero
District 10: Democrat Darrin Madison (incumbent) and Wisconsin Green candidate Robert Longwell-Grice
District 11: Republican Shandowlyon Hendricks Reaves and Democrat Sequanna Taylor (incumbent)
District 16: Democrat Kalan Haywood (incumbent) and Republican Alciro Deacon
District 17: Republican Charlene Abughrin and Democrat Supreme Moore Omokunde (incumbent)
District 18: Democrat Margaret Arney (incumbent) and Republican Joel Richmond
District 19: Republican Yasmine Outlaw and Democrat Ryan Clancy (incumbent)
District 20: Democrat Christine Sinicki (incumbent) and Republican Kyle Cleary
There are other Milwaukee area contests in which candidates are running unopposed.
What do state senators do?
State senators write, review and vote on legislation that becomes state law if approved by the Legislature and signed by the governor.
They vet some political appointees made by the governor, including cabinet secretaries.
Senators serve on one or more of 20 committees that take public testimony on bills and review legislation.
They work on a state budget every other year to determine how tens of billions of dollars are spent.
Senators also oversee a staff that helps provide constituent services. Each member of the state Senate represents roughly 175,000 people.
Here are the candidates in Milwaukee races:
The only opposed state Senate race in Milwaukee is in District 7, which features Democrat Chris Larson (incumbent) and Republican Mike Moeller.
Meredith Melland contributed to this report.
Jonathan Aguilar is a visual journalist at Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service who is supported through a partnership between CatchLight Local and Report for America.
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