Kenosha County

Senator Bob Wirch has been representing the southeastern area of Wisconsin in the state Legislature for over 30 years. A lifelong resident of Kenosha, he believes strongly in access to affordable healthcare, quality public education, and mental health treatment. He is deeply committed to improving workers’ rights and building positive economic development. Wirch is running unopposed in this race and is the progressive choice.

Michael Dhindsa has declared job creation to be his number one priority if elected to the Legislature. He also plans to fight for increased K-12 education funding, healthcare access, and environmental stability. Dhindsa believes his youth will be an important asset to bringing new perspectives to the statehouse, and has vowed to meet regularly with constituents. Dhindsa is opposed by Republican Representative Amanda Nedweski, who has been endorsed by an anti-abortion group seeking to ban the procedure even in cases of rape or incest. Michael Dhindsa is the progressive choice in this race.

LuAnn Bird is a former school board member and education professional, former League of Women Voters director, and former nonprofit development professional who is running for the 84th Assembly District to continue using her skills and experience to serve her community. Bringing enthusiasm and determination to every challenge she faces, Bird's top priorities in the Assembly would include working to restore faith in our democracy and ensuring all eligible voters - including voters with disabilities - can vote, addressing the challenge of rising costs, restoring reproductive freedom for all Wisconsinites, working toward safer schools and public spaces, and addressing mental health needs in our community. A grandmother of three, mother of two, and wife of a Vietnam veteran who has been paralyzed for 32 years, Bird knows that the policy decisions made in the State Capitol have a real life impact on Wisconsin families. LuAnn Bird is the progressive choice in this race.

State Representative Tip McGuire is running for re-election to represent the 64th Assembly District. In his first two terms, McGuire helped introduce multiple pieces of important progressive legislation, including the Healthcare Heroes Act, which would provide paid sick leave, hazard pay, and no-cost COVID-19 healthcare coverage for frontline healthcare workers, and the Safer Wisconsin proposal, which would invest $115 million of state surplus resources in a broad array of public safety programs to strengthen communities and reduce crime. McGuire has also worked across the aisle to pass key components of his Main Street Recovery package, which provided relief to small business and working families. McGuire supports reproductive rights and promises to continue prioritizing support for the middle class by building a strong pathway to economic security. His opponent is Republican candidate Ed Hibsch. McGuire is the progressive choice in this race.

Kenosha small business owner and former educator Ben DeSmidt wants to see Wisconsin become the home of progressive policies once again. He wants to work toward creating more affordable housing, legalizing medical marijuana, and protecting the right to choose an abortion. DeSmidt is also passionate about green energy and safeguarding Wisconsin’s natural resources. Opposing DeSmidt is Republican candidate Brian Gonzales, who has appeared at events for Donald Trump and JD Vance. Ben DeSmidt is the clear progressive choice in this race.

Kenosha County native Carli McNeill has been serving her community for over 13 years, first as an Assistant District Attorney and currently as the Deputy District Attorney. In 2019, she was recognized as a “Rising Star” by the Wisconsin District Attorneys Association, and in 2023, was awarded Deputy District Attorney of the Year. McNeill knows what it takes to be district attorney and plans to adapt to new technologies and advancements in criminal justice like facial recognition, artificial intelligence, and drones. She has prosecuted thousands of criminal cases and is also a proponent of the county’s diversion programs, which give individuals accused of low-level offenses the opportunity to make things right with those affected by their actions, instead of putting more people in jail. These diversion and treatment programs make it possible for McNeill and others to prosecute the most dangerous criminals to the fullest extent of the law. Also running for Kenosha County District Attorney is Xavier Solis. Carli McNeill is the progressive choice in this race.