Wisconsin State Assembly
District 40
Election Results
Race overview
Rep. Karen DeSanto, D-Baraboo, faces Republican Julie Helmer. DeSanto was first elected to the Assembly in 2024, defeating Helmer’s husband, Jerry, by 8 percentage points. Neither DeSanto nor Helmer faced a primary opponent.
Campaign funds raised
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Data reflects monetary and in-kind contributions reported to the Wisconsin Ethics Commission with 2026 transaction dates. Personal loans are excluded. Data was retrieved on Aug. 4, 2026.What does this position 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.