I have affectionately dubbed them “The Core Four”, but what they will deliver for the districts they are running to represent is even greater than their kitschy name.
Republicans currently hold an 18-15 majority in the Wisconsin State Senate, but the slate of candidates up for election this cycle promises to deliver an even stronger majority than the caucus already holds. While midterm election cycles tend to be their own type of animal, 2026 will be unlike anything we have seen before. Thanks to the hyper-liberal state supreme court, which is supposed to be focused on justice and not acting as a super-legislature, constituents in odd-numbered state senate districts will be voting for their state senator in districts that looked drastically different in 2018, 2022, and 2026 – courtesy of the supreme court and their decision to overrule the legislature’s constitutional duty to craft district maps only once a decade.
Members of the senate’s minority caucus have been living in la-la-land, thinking that they will simply walk into the majority this November. Democratic leaders should probably spend less time measuring the drapes in the Majority Leader’s office and focus more on actually helping their constituents – as senate Republicans continue to work for Wisconsinites, which is what really matters.
In terms of which party controls the senate, next session will be no different. Thanks to the “Core Four”, senate Republicans will hold a strong majority that works to reduce costs, lower property taxes and invest in the priorities of families across the state. In order to maintain the majority, Republicans need to win two of the four “toss-up” seats in the state senate. However, the candidates running in those seats are likely to deliver four solid wins. So, who are the “Core Four”?
Mike Roberts is a physical therapist, small business owner, husband and father from the 5th state senate district who is running to fix the root cause of issues like affordability and access to healthcare.
Howard Marklein is the sitting senator for Wisconsin’s 17th state senate district and a CPA. In the legislature, he has made it his mission to protect Wisconsin’s checkbook and is a fierce advocate for the rural communities that he represents in the southwest corner of our state.
Jim Croft is a small business owner, IT professional, husband and father who lives in the 21st state senate district. He is going to be a valuable member of our caucus and will focus on practical solutions to the issues that people in his district face, ensuring the next generation of Wisconsinites have access to the same opportunities that he did.
Michele Skinner, our candidate in the 31st state senate district, is an Eau Claire county board supervisor, former news anchor, community leader and mother. Michele’s commonsense agenda resonates with the people of western Wisconsin who want to keep more of their hard earned money, and lower property taxes so they can afford the basics like gas and groceries.
As you can see, senate Republicans are on track to maintain the majority and continue our fight for Wisconsinites who want relief from rising costs, reduced property taxes and elected officials who truly understand what matters most to them. Senate Democrats’ maneuver to tank the bipartisan state surplus deal that would have returned over a billion dollars to working Wisconsinites is proof that they are only out for power and partisan gain.
You can support these candidates and the Republican senate majority by donating today:
● Mike Roberts
● Howard Marklein
● Jim Croft
● Michele Skinner
● Committee to Elect a Republican Senate
I am confident that this group of truly exceptional candidates will lead us to victory in November, allowing us to continue supporting families, businesses and individuals in all corners of the state. On, Wisconsin!
Sen. Patrick Testin is the Wisconsin Senate President Pro Tempore. The Committee to Elect a Republican Senate (CERS) is the only campaign committee in Wisconsin with the mission of protecting and recruiting Republican members of the State Senate.
