State Sen. Rachael Cabral-Guevara was elected Republican Caucus Chair for the 2027-28 session this week, stepping into a leadership post as her party enters its first Senate minority in 16 years and a full Democratic trifecta under Governor-elect David Crowley.
The Fox Crossing Republican, a nurse practitioner and mother of four who won re-election on Nov. 3, released a statement after the caucus vote. “I am honored that my colleagues chose me to serve as caucus chair for the next session,” she said. “Together with the rest of the new leadership team, we must offer a plan that reflects where voters’ priorities are.”
She noted the political shift ahead. “Next session, Wisconsin will have a Democratic trifecta for the first time in 16 years,” Cabral-Guevara said. “While I remain hopeful the new Democratic majorities will resist the extremes of their caucuses, I am concerned that their proposals from previous sessions lay out a dangerous blueprint: new taxes, anti-business regulations driving jobs out of state, billions in new spending we cannot afford, and an affordability crisis made worse.”
Democrats flipped three Republican-held Senate seats on Nov. 3 and defended their own, reversing the chamber to an 18-15 Democratic majority. They also took the Assembly 53-46. Combined with Crowley’s win, the party will hold the governorship and both legislative chambers for the first time since 2010.
Cabral-Guevara framed the Republican response as essential. “The common-sense reforms Republicans fought for—to control spending, rein in government, and let you keep more of your hard-earned money—are all on the line,” she said. “Our caucus must offer a better path forward, and I look forward to working as a team to do exactly that.”
The new Senate Republican leadership team also includes Julian Bradley of New Berlin as minority leader and Romaine Quinn of Birchwood as assistant minority leader. Dan Feyen of Fond du Lac will serve as caucus vice chair. Cabral-Guevara previously held the majority caucus vice-chair post.
A former state assemblywoman who entered the Senate in 2023, Cabral-Guevara has focused on health care access, tax relief, and regulatory restraint in Madison. She owns a nurse practitioner practice in the Fox Valley and previously taught nursing.
With a projected multi-billion-dollar surplus and Democratic leaders already signaling priorities around school funding, labor measures, and expanded government programs, the new minority caucus will face immediate tests on spending and tax policy. Cabral-Guevara’s statement makes clear that Republicans intend to treat prior Democratic proposals—not campaign rhetoric—as the baseline for what voters should expect, and to counter it with a platform centered on affordability and limited government.
