The midterm elections aren’t until November, and the many contested races will determine control of the state Legislature.
Most of the state Assembly races, which are for two-year terms, are competitive with only six seats uncontested. One of those competitive races is District 21 which has a Democratic primary on Aug. 11 with former Catholic priest David Liners facing Oak Creek Mayor Dan Bukiewicz.
Rep. Jessie Rodriguez represented southern Milwaukee County’s District 21 in the Assembly for nearly 13 years. She is not seeking reelection and Republican Dylan Pfaffenbach is uncontested for the November ballot.
Heading into the primary, both Democrats have received support from individuals and organizations.
Liners highlighted endorsements from State Sen. Chris Larson, Citizen Action Wisconsin, gubernatorial candidate Francesca Hong, Rep. Ryan Clancy and the American Federation of Teachers.
Bukiewicz noted endorsements from U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, Congresswoman Gwen Moore, the AFL-CIO, and his own union, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 494.
But the biggest endorsement will be a vote from a registered Democrat in the primary. To help voters decide, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel asked each candidate a series of questions, limiting answers to 100 words each.
How important is this election for Wisconsin, and more specifically, for Democrats and control of the state Legislature?
DAVID LINERS: This election can finally bring the Scott Walker era to an end. When Democrats win the Governor’s office and both houses of the legislature, we will finally be able to fix some things that have been broken in the past 16 years. We can overturn Act 10; we can raise the minimum wage; we can fix the school funding formula; we can make sure the wealthy and corporations are paying their share of taxes again. The Republicans made, then maintained some huge shifts in Wisconsin’s governance. This is the year we can shift back.
DAN BUKIEWICZ: This election is pivotal for the future of Wisconsin. This cycle gives Democrats a real chance to win majorities in the Assembly and the State Senate. With a Democratic trifecta – control of the State Senate, the Assembly, and the Governor’s office – we can focus on making things more affordable for working Wisconsin families, as well as fully funding public education, raising the minimum wage, and restoring workers’ rights.
What was the deciding factor for you to run for Assembly?
LINERS: I have watched our schools get squeezed financially, especially in paying for Special Education. Our property taxes have soared, not because of school spending but because the state has reduced its level of support. I’ve watched the rich get much richer while working people have gotten left behind. We keep incarcerating too many low level and non-violent offenders. Childcare is unaffordable. I want Democrats to show what we can actually make things better for regular people if we get a chance. And, if we get the chance, we’d better get it right.
BUKIEWICZ: The opportunity to help build a Democratic majority in the Assembly was absolutely a factor in my decision. As the Mayor of Oak Creek for almost a decade, I understand how the Republican policies in Madison have impacted local governments. For instance, the decreasing support for public education at the state level has forced many municipalities to sharply increase property taxes. When Democrats have the majority in Madison, we will fully fund public education, taking pressure off of the local school districts to cover the shortfall.
What experience do you have that will help you win the seat in the Assembly?
LINERS: I’ve had interesting experiences in my life, as a pastor of big Spanish-speaking parishes on the South Side of Chicago, and as a Community Organizer/Executive Director (with a stint unloading trucks at UPS in between). I’ve had to learn how to listen to different kinds of people and to help them find ways to work together. In MICAH and WISDOM, I became very familiar with how the legislature works as we organized people to advocate for themselves and their communities around a variety of issues. I know about a lot of state policy, and I know a lot about people.
Note: MICAH is the Milwaukee Inner-City Congregations Allied for Hope, an interfaith organization in Milwaukee. WISDOM is a multi-faith, statewide community organizing network.
BUKIEWICZ: My experiences as the current president of the Milwaukee Building and Construction Trade Council and as the current Mayor of Oak Creek has given me insight into issues facing both working families and local governments. As a union leader, I have negotiated many contracts involving thousands of good-paying, family-supporting jobs. As Mayor, I’ve had to work with the Common Council to pass balanced budgets, provide public safety that keeps our streets safe, and help local businesses thrive. I feel like working families have not had a voice in state government and I am eager to bring that voice to Madison.
Rodriguez held the seat as a Republican for nearly 13 years, and Pfaffenbach is pushing a younger, ‘fresh perspective’ in his campaign. How do you respond and what makes you the best Democratic candidate to flip the seat?
LINERS: I am coming [in] as an outsider. My campaign motto is, “We can’t afford business as usual.” I do not have the support of the Democratic Party establishment because I have never been part of that club. Instead, I am coming with strong values and a clear perspective. My campaign is centered on listening to the people of the 21st Assembly District. I want to know their hopes, fears and needs, and I want them to know what I care about. I intend to represent the district and I intend to stand for the values I have lifted up.
BUKIEWICZ: I have been a member of IBEW Local 494 for 39 years. I came up through the ranks as an electrician, eventually becoming a supervisor on big projects, then a union leader and an elected official. These diverse experiences have given me a unique understanding on the issues facing our state. Additionally, these opportunities have allowed me to lead teams of people with different ideas together to solve real problems, both in the workplace and in city government. I believe that these experiences make me the best Democratic candidate to flip the 21st Assembly District.
The 21st District leaned toward Kamala Harris by roughly 4 points in the last presidential election. Do you see the district continuing that leftward shift, and could that be a deciding factor for your campaign?
LINERS: The people I have met are really angry with President Trump and his irresponsible leadership. They are frustrated by the gridlock on the state level. They want something different, not just some tweaks around the edges. People are upset that data centers just seem to have happened without any oversight and with a big tax incentive. They are upset that nobody seems to have any control over rising utility bills. They are upset that big corporations and billionaires get their way while working people are struggling. It’s less about partisanship and more a frustration with the status quo.
BUKIEWICZ: As I talk to voters throughout the district, I hear less talk about ideology and more about the frustration that the concerns of most people are being ignored. People really feel like they can’t afford the basics – paying their rent or mortgage, buying groceries, and covering medical expenses. The candidates that can speak to these concerns will win here and across the state.
Some have pointed to intra-party rifts between Gov. Tony Evers and some Democrats in the Legislature. In the spirit of unity, what is something positive you can say about your primary opponent?
LINERS: Dan Bukiewicz is a very good person. He does a wonderful job as the president of the Building Trades Council. He very clearly has the best interest of the tradesmen and tradeswomen he represents in his heart and he fights for them. Dan is very committed to helping young people get into good-paying careers, and he works hard to make that happen.
BUKIEWICZ: My opponent is an honorable man who spent much of his career advocating for worthy causes.
Editor’s note, 7/15/2026: This story has been amended to provide U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin’s correct title.
Contact Erik at erik.hanley@jrn.com. Follow his Facebook page, The Redheadliner Erik S. Hanley, and follow him on X @Redheadliner.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Former priest faces current mayor in Assembly Democratic primary
Reporting by Erik S. Hanley, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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By Erik S. Hanley, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | USA TODAY Network
