Renuka Mayadev
State representative
Democrat
Madison
Elected Experience
Wisconsin State Assembly (2025-present)
Q&A with the Candidate
Why should voters elect you?
Throughout my career, I have advocated for the urgent needs of women, children, and working families. Now, as a legislator, during a time when our long-standing public programs and benefits are vanishing, I am standing up to protect Wisconsinites and sustain our state's democratic institutions. I have authored bills to strengthen our public schools, prevent gun violence, prioritize our environment, increase access to childcare, and reduce healthcare costs. After years of stalling in the Assembly, I delivered on my campaign promise that Wisconsin must provide vulnerable mothers with a year of postpartum healthcare coverage after delivering a baby. As your State representative, I deliver results.
What is the top issue in your district? How would you address it?
Fully funding our public schools. Currently, school districts across the state have to rely on local referenda to make their district budgets work. This places a heavy tax burden on Wisconsinites. We must once and for all fix our school funding and provide districts with predictable long term support. Recently, given the state surplus, I, along with my Democratic Assembly Caucus, authored AB 1176, which increased general school aid and raised the state’s reimbursement rate for special education costs to ease the burden on local property taxpayers and provide greater financial stability for school districts. We must act. Strong public schools are essential to a thriving democracy and future economic growth.
How should Wisconsin government operate differently than in the past?
Wisconsin government is not protecting the state's beautiful lands. The long-standing Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program was not reauthorized this past legislative session, leaving it to end in June 2026. The Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program has a long tradition of protecting land, water, natural spaces for wildlife habitat, and outdoor recreation. The state must return to our deep roots of conservation and environmental protection.
What is your favorite fun Wisconsin history fact?
It is a great honor to work in the Wisconsin State Capitol. The building's grand architecture and large scale art are breathtaking. For a fun fact: The Capitol's construction took over 10 years, commencing on Oct. 12, 1906 and ending sometime in 1917, making the Capitol building 109 years old.