Ismael Luna
Case manager
Democrat
Milwaukee
Elected Experience
None
Q&A with the Candidate
Why should voters elect you?
I grew up right here on the South Side, and I know what life in District 8 actually looks like. Raised by a working-class immigrant family, I was unhoused at 14 and worked my way to becoming a first-generation college graduate and earning a master's in public policy. Today I work as a caseworker at a homeless shelter, helping people navigate systems and find stable housing. I am not a career politician. I am a neighbor who understands the challenges facing this community, and I will bring that lived experience to Madison to fight for working families every day.
What is the top issue in your district? How would you address it?
The cost of living is the biggest challenge facing District 8. Too many families are one unexpected expense away from a crisis. As someone who experienced housing instability growing up and now works as a caseworker helping people find stable housing, I understand how quickly rising costs can derail a family's future. I will fight to expand affordable housing, strengthen tenant protections, invest in homelessness prevention, and make healthcare more affordable. Wisconsin should be a place where working families can afford a home, access quality healthcare, and build a better future for themselves and their children.
How should Wisconsin government operate differently than in the past?
Wisconsin government should be more responsive, transparent, and grounded in the needs of working people. Too often, decisions in Madison are made without meaningful input from the communities most affected, especially working-class neighborhoods in Milwaukee. I believe government works best when it listens first, builds coalitions, and stays accountable to the people—not just in election years. In my work helping people navigate housing instability, I see every day how disconnected systems can fail the people they are meant to serve. As a legislator, I will hold regular listening sessions, remain present and accessible in District 8, and focus on delivering results. District 8 deserves a representative who understands these struggles firsthand and brings that urgency to Madison.
What is your favorite fun Wisconsin history fact?
One of my favorite Wisconsin history facts is that Wisconsin has long been a national leader in progressive ideals. In 1895, the state passed one of the earliest civil rights laws in the country prohibiting discrimination in public accommodations. Later, Wisconsin led the nation again by adopting the first constitutional workers’ compensation system and the first state income tax in 1911. I love that our state has a history of trying new ideas that make government work better for working people. It reflects a belief that progress doesn’t happen by accident—it happens when people organize, vote, and demand better.