Dianne Hesselbein
State senator, Democratic Leader
Democrat
Middleton
Elected Experience
Wisconsin State Senate (2023-present); Wisconsin State Assembly (2013-2023); Dane County Board (2008-2012); Middleton Cross Plains Area School Board (2005-2008)
Q&A with the Candidate
Why should voters elect you?
For the last 14 years, I have dedicated myself to serving the people, my friends and neighbors, in the 79th AD and 27th SD. Now, we are on the verge of retaking the Wisconsin State Senate for the first time in over a decade. From being in a super minority to now, I have advocated for my constituents, achieved fair maps, drafted legislation to regulate PFAS, and fought for women's right to access healthcare. 2026 presents us with a new opportunity. Instead of playing defense, I can focus on creating the change that people in the 27th District have been waiting for: free school meals for K-12 students, building affordable housing, and ensuring affordable access to quality healthcare.
What is the top issue in your district? How would you address it?
As I’ve spoken to hundreds of constituents in the 27th SD, the issue I hear about most consistently is underfunded public education. Right now, the Middleton Cross Plains Area School District is weighing whether to place an operational referendum on the 2026 ballot. As with nearly all of the hundreds of referendums across Wisconsin for the last few years, this is not intended to enrich teachers or administrators, but to keep the doors open and ensure every child receives an adequate education. As we look forward to a Democratic majority, I pledge to work toward making up for lost dollars under Republican leadership. That starts with adjusting the funding formula, focusing on public rather than private education, and guaranteeing every K-12 student a free lunch.
How should Wisconsin government operate differently than in the past?
As I have said before, a long-overdue adjustment is simply changing the faces at the table. For a decade, there have been entrenched voices that have acted as a bulwark against forward-thinking change. With new faces at the table, our range of legislative options opens up significantly. That being said, when we retake the majority, I intend to continue following the mantra, disagree without being disagreeable. We live in a state with diverse opinions, and respecting those who represent Wisconsinites who disagree with you is necessary to produce effective change.
What is your favorite fun Wisconsin history fact?
A personal favorite centers on one of Wisconsin's most prolific legislators, Robert La Follette. As a Senator, he brought “the Wisconsin Idea” with him to Washington, D.C., specifically the State’s Legislative Reference Bureau, founded in 1901, which became the country's first agency dedicated to fact-finding and legislative research. In 1914, Senator La Follette led the effort to fund the creation of the Special Reference Unit within the Library of Congress, now known as the Congressional Research Service. His aspiration to promote informed legislators is the heartbeat of modern lawmaking.