Assembly Democrats reelect Greta Neubauer as minority leader

Rep. Greta Neubauer, D-Racine, will once again lead Assembly Democrats as the party takes up a larger share of the chamber going into the next legislative session.

Neubauer was elected to serve as minority leader during a party caucus meeting Tuesday at the state Capitol.

The selection came two weeks after an election that saw Democrats take up a larger share of seats in the Legislature after new legislative maps carved out district lines less favorable to Republicans. Democrats now hold 45 of 99 seats, up from their previous 35 seats.

It’s the slimmest majority that Republicans have held in the chamber in years.

In a letter requesting her colleagues’ support, Neubauer said the new makeup of the chamber “will better reflect the will of the people.”

“Together, our Assembly Democratic Caucus will have the chance to advocate for popular policies that will improve peoples’ lives, work collaboratively with our partners and colleagues across the aisle, and do what’s right for the people of Wisconsin,” she wrote.

Rep. Kalan Haywood, D-Milwaukee, was reelected as assistant minority leader.

The election was the last of the chamber and party leadership elections, after Senate Democrats and Republicans and Assembly Republicans made their own selections in recent weeks.

Last week, Assembly Republicans reelected Rep. Robin Vos, R-Rochester, to continue on as the powerful Assembly speaker, a role that determines much of what ultimately comes before lawmakers for a final vote. Vos has said the election means Republicans get to set the agenda for the state.