Wisconsin Democrats elect Devin Remiker as next state party chair

Wisconsin Democrats have picked a new leader to replace outgoing chair Ben Wikler, who is credited with transforming the Democratic Party of Wisconsin into a fundraising juggernaut.

At the Democrats’ state convention in Wisconsin Dells on Sunday, party activists elected former Democratic Party of Wisconsin Executive Director Devin Remiker to a two-year term as chair. He defeated La Crosse County Democratic Party Chair William Garcia and Democratic consultant Joe Zepecki.

When Remiker’s victory was announced, the convention hall erupted with cheers. He took the stage alongside Garcia and Zepecki and told delegates it’s time to “hit the gas” heading into the November 2026 midterm elections.

“The Democratic Party of Wisconsin works,” Remiker said. “We take on the big fights and we win. And at this moment, every second counts. We’ve got to get back to work. We are just 18 months away from a trifecta.”

The prospect of a Democratic trifecta in Wisconsin, where the party would control both chambers of the state Legislature and the governor’s office, was a common theme throughout the convention.

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Despite Republican Donald Trump winning Wisconsin in November, Democrats flipped key Wisconsin Senate seats, which could give them a chance to flip the chamber next year. In April, Democrats fought off an attempt by Republicans to retake control of the state Supreme Court.

A group of people stand on stage in front of a purple backdrop with WISDEMS and a Wisconsin outline; one person is at a podium raising their right hand. — Outgoing Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Ben Wikler was joined by his family on stage, Sunday, at the party’s state convention in Wisconsin Dells. *Rich Kremer/WPR*

Much of the recent success of the Democrats in Wisconsin has been credited to Wikler, who has led the party since 2019. During his three-term tenure, he helped raise $200 million in five years by taking advantage of a Republican-authored law allowing political parties to raise and transfer unlimited funds to candidates. That helped the party support former President Joe Biden’s 2020 win in Wisconsin, Gov. Tony Evers’ reelection in 2022 and the reelection of U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin in 2026.

Wikler has been coy about his future plans, though he told convention delegates he plans to spend more time with his family and will remain engaged with politics. Wikler was up for Democratic National Committee chair in February, but was defeated by former Minnesota Democratic Party Chair Ken Martin.

State Democratic party delegates also passed a series of platform resolutions Sunday, calling for the impeachment of President Donald Trump, ending Wisconsin’s school voucher program and restricting weapon sales to Israel.