Three Appleton-area Republican legislators didn’t seek reelection in the fall 2026 election, clearing the way for a new slate of candidates.
State Sen. André Jacque, R-New Franken, and state Rep. Dean Kaufert, R-Neenah, filed declarations of noncandidacy and will exit the Legislature.
State Rep. Dave Murphy, R-Hortonville, will join them on the way out, but Murphy failed to file a declaration of noncandidacy by the May 22 deadline, according to a report by the Wisconsin Elections Commission.
“I mailed it before the deadline, but whether they got it or not, I don’t know,” Murphy told The Post-Crescent on June 1. “I don’t have a lot of faith in the U.S. mail. That could be why it didn’t get in there.”
Under Wisconsin statute 8.15, an incumbent’s failure to file a timely declaration of noncandidacy extends the deadline to file nomination papers for the seat by 72 hours, or until 5 p.m. June 4, for all candidates other than the incumbent.
The Wisconsin fall election covers the offices of governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state, state treasurer, U.S. House, Wisconsin Senate (odd-numbered districts) and Wisconsin Assembly. County offices of sheriff, coroner and clerk of courts and constitutional amendments also are at stake.
The deadline to file nomination papers was 5 p.m. June 1. The partisan primary election will be held Aug. 11, and the general election will be held Nov. 3.
Here is the list of candidates for the Fox Cities area. Candidates whose nomination papers are still under review by the Wisconsin Elections Commission are listed as pending.
6th Congressional District (two-year term)
The district includes Menasha, Neenah, Oshkosh, Fond du Lac, Sheboygan and Manitowoc.
8th Congressional District (two-year term)
The district includes Appleton, Kaukauna, De Pere, Green Bay and Sturgeon Bay.
Wisconsin Senate District 1 (four-year term)
The district includes Calumet, Door and Kewaunee counties and parts of Outagamie, Manitowoc and Brown counties.
Incumbent André Jacque did seek reelection.
Wisconsin Senate District 19 (four-year term)
The district includes parts of Outagamie, Winnebago and Waupaca counties.
Assembly District 2 (two-year term)
The district covers Kimberly, Combined Locks, parts of Kaukauna, Wrightstown, Denmark, Mishicot and Reedsville.
The race is a rematch of the 2024 election.
Assembly District 3 (two-year term)
The district encompasses Calumet County and parts of Manitowoc County.
Assembly District 5 (two-year term)
The district covers parts of Outagamie and Brown counties, including Kaukauna, Little Chute, Freedom and Seymour.
Assembly District 52 (two-year term)
The district is centered on Appleton and includes parts of Grand Chute.
Assembly District 53 (two-year term)
The district covers the Neenah and Menasha area and south Appleton.
Incumbent Dean Kaufert didn’t seek reelection.
Assembly District 54 (two-year term)
The district is centered on Oshkosh and extends west along the north shore of Lake Butte des Morts and north to southwest Neenah.
The race is a rematch of the 2024 election.
Assembly District 55 (two-year term)
The district covers areas of Grand Chute, Fox Crossing, Clayton, Vinland, Winneconne and Omro.
Assembly District 56 (two-year term)
The district covers sections of Outagamie and Waupaca counties, including Black Creek, Hortonville, New London and Shiocton.
Incumbent Dave Murphy didn’t seek reelection and didn’t file a declaration of noncandidacy, extending the filing deadline to 5 p.m. June 4.
Calumet County clerk of courts (four-year term)
Calumet County sheriff (four-year term)
Outagamie County clerk of courts (four-year term)
Incumbent Barb Bocik, a Republican, didn’t seek reelection.
Outagamie County sheriff (four-year term)
Winnebago County clerk of courts (four-year term)
Winnebago County sheriff (four-year term)
Incumbent John Matz, a Republican, didn’t seek reelection after 16 years in office.
Contact Duke Behnke at 920-993-7176 or dbehnke@usatodayco.com. Follow him on X at @DukeBehnke.
This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Appleton-area races set for Congress and Wisconsin Senate and Assembly
Reporting by Duke Behnke, Appleton Post-Crescent / Appleton Post-Crescent
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