# Wisconsin's 26th Senate district

The 26th Senate district of Wisconsin is one of 33 districts in the Wisconsin Senate. Located in south-central Wisconsin, the district comprises Downtown Madison, Wisconsin as well as most of the city's near west, south, east and north sides. The 26th also includes the suburban cities of Monona, the villages of Maple Bluff and Shorewood Hills, and most of the village of McFarland, in central Dane County. The district contains landmarks such as the Wisconsin State Capitol, the University of Wisconsin–Madison campus, the University of Wisconsin Arboretum, historic Forest Hill Cemetery, Edgewood College, Monona Terrace, Camp Randall Stadium, and the Kohl Center.

## Current elected officials

Kelda Roys is the senator representing the 26th district. She was first elected in the 2020 general election. Before serving as a senator, she was a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from 2009 to 2013.
Each Wisconsin State Senate district is composed of three Wisconsin State Assembly districts. The 26th Senate district comprises the 76th, 77th, and 78th Assembly districts. The current representatives of those districts are:
* Assembly District 76: Francesca Hong (D–Madison)
* Assembly District 77: Renuka Mayadev (D–Madison)
* Assembly District 78: Shelia Stubbs (D–Madison)
The district is located entirely within Wisconsin's 2nd congressional district, which is represented by U.S. Representative Mark Pocan.
* Wisconsin State Capitol viewed over Monona Terrace from Lake Monona
* Warner Park
* Lake View Sanatorium
* Bascom Hall on Bascom Hill, on the University of Wisconsin–Madison campus
* Camp Randall arch
* Lake Mendota viewed from Observatory Drive
* Wisconsin State Capitol viewed from State Street
* Wisconsin Historical Society
* Exhibition Hall at the Alliant Energy Center
* Capital Springs State Recreation Area
* Sunset over Lake Monona

## Past senators

Previous senators include:
Note: the boundaries of districts have changed repeatedly over history. Previous politicians of a specific numbered district have represented a completely different geographic area, due to redistricting.
| Senator | Party | Notes | Session | Years | District Definition |
| District created by 1856 Wisc. Act 109. | District created by 1856 Wisc. Act 109. | District created by 1856 Wisc. Act 109. | District created by 1856 Wisc. Act 109. | 1856 | Western Dane County |
| Hiram C. Bull | Rep. | | 10th | 1857 | Western Dane County |
| Andrew Proudfit | Dem. | | 11th | 1858 | Western Dane County |
| Andrew Proudfit | Dem. | | 12th | 1859 | Western Dane County |
| John B. Sweat | Dem. | | 13th | 1860 | Western Dane County |
| John B. Sweat | Dem. | | 14th | 1861 | Western Dane County |
| Benjamin F. Hopkins | Rep. | | 15th | 1862 | Western Dane County Town of Berry Town of Black Earth Town of Blue Mounds Town of Dane Town of Fitchburg Town of Madison Town of Mazomanie Town of Montrose Town of Oregon Town of Perry Town of Primrose Town of Roxbury Town of Springdale Town of Verona City of Madison |
| Benjamin F. Hopkins | Rep. | | 16th | 1863 | Western Dane County Town of Berry Town of Black Earth Town of Blue Mounds Town of Dane Town of Fitchburg Town of Madison Town of Mazomanie Town of Montrose Town of Oregon Town of Perry Town of Primrose Town of Roxbury Town of Springdale Town of Verona City of Madison |
| Thomas Hood | Natl. Union | | 17th | 1864 | Western Dane County Town of Berry Town of Black Earth Town of Blue Mounds Town of Dane Town of Fitchburg Town of Madison Town of Mazomanie Town of Montrose Town of Oregon Town of Perry Town of Primrose Town of Roxbury Town of Springdale Town of Verona City of Madison |
| Thomas Hood | Natl. Union | | 18th | 1865 | Western Dane County Town of Berry Town of Black Earth Town of Blue Mounds Town of Dane Town of Fitchburg Town of Madison Town of Mazomanie Town of Montrose Town of Oregon Town of Perry Town of Primrose Town of Roxbury Town of Springdale Town of Verona City of Madison |
| James K. Proudfit | Natl. Union | | 19th | 1866 | Western Dane County Town of Berry Town of Black Earth Town of Blue Mounds Town of Dane Town of Fitchburg Town of Madison Town of Mazomanie Town of Montrose Town of Oregon Town of Perry Town of Primrose Town of Roxbury Town of Springdale Town of Verona City of Madison |
| James K. Proudfit | Natl. Union | | 20th | 1867 | Western Dane County Town of Berry Town of Black Earth Town of Blue Mounds Town of Cross Plains Town of Dane Town of Fitchburg Town of Madison Town of Mazomanie Town of Middleton Town of Montrose Town of Oregon Town of Perry Town of Primrose Town of Roxbury Town of Springdale Town of Springfield Town of Vermont Town of Verona City of Madison |
| Carl Habich | Dem. | | 21st | 1868 | Western Dane County Town of Berry Town of Black Earth Town of Blue Mounds Town of Cross Plains Town of Dane Town of Fitchburg Town of Madison Town of Mazomanie Town of Middleton Town of Montrose Town of Oregon Town of Perry Town of Primrose Town of Roxbury Town of Springdale Town of Springfield Town of Vermont Town of Verona City of Madison |
| Carl Habich | Dem. | | 22nd | 1869 | Western Dane County Town of Berry Town of Black Earth Town of Blue Mounds Town of Cross Plains Town of Dane Town of Fitchburg Town of Madison Town of Mazomanie Town of Middleton Town of Montrose Town of Oregon Town of Perry Town of Primrose Town of Roxbury Town of Springdale Town of Springfield Town of Vermont Town of Verona City of Madison |
| Romanzo E. Davis | Rep. | | 23rd | 1870 | Western Dane County Town of Berry Town of Black Earth Town of Blue Mounds Town of Cross Plains Town of Dane Town of Fitchburg Town of Madison Town of Mazomanie Town of Middleton Town of Montrose Town of Oregon Town of Perry Town of Primrose Town of Roxbury Town of Springdale Town of Springfield Town of Vermont Town of Verona City of Madison |
| Romanzo E. Davis | Rep. | | 24th | 1871 | Western Dane County Town of Berry Town of Black Earth Town of Blue Mounds Town of Cross Plains Town of Dane Town of Fitchburg Town of Madison Town of Mazomanie Town of Middleton Town of Montrose Town of Oregon Town of Perry Town of Primrose Town of Roxbury Town of Springdale Town of Springfield Town of Vermont Town of Verona City of Madison |
| Romanzo E. Davis | Rep. | | 25th | 1872 | Western Dane County Town of Berry Town of Black Earth Town of Blue Mounds Town of Cross Plains Town of Dane Town of Fitchburg Town of Madison Town of Mazomanie Town of Middleton Town of Montrose Town of Oregon Town of Perry Town of Primrose Town of Roxbury Town of Rutland Town of Springdale Town of Springfield Town of Vermont Town of Verona Town of Vienna Town of Westport 1870 population: 26,154 |
| Romanzo E. Davis | Rep. | | 26th | 1873 | Western Dane County Town of Berry Town of Black Earth Town of Blue Mounds Town of Cross Plains Town of Dane Town of Fitchburg Town of Madison Town of Mazomanie Town of Middleton Town of Montrose Town of Oregon Town of Perry Town of Primrose Town of Roxbury Town of Rutland Town of Springdale Town of Springfield Town of Vermont Town of Verona Town of Vienna Town of Westport 1870 population: 26,154 |
| Romanzo E. Davis | Lib. Rep. | | 27th | 1874 | Western Dane County Town of Berry Town of Black Earth Town of Blue Mounds Town of Cross Plains Town of Dane Town of Fitchburg Town of Madison Town of Mazomanie Town of Middleton Town of Montrose Town of Oregon Town of Perry Town of Primrose Town of Roxbury Town of Rutland Town of Springdale Town of Springfield Town of Vermont Town of Verona Town of Vienna Town of Westport 1870 population: 26,154 |
| Romanzo E. Davis | Lib. Rep. | | 28th | 1875 | Western Dane County Town of Berry Town of Black Earth Town of Blue Mounds Town of Cross Plains Town of Dane Town of Fitchburg Town of Madison Town of Mazomanie Town of Middleton Town of Montrose Town of Oregon Town of Perry Town of Primrose Town of Roxbury Town of Rutland Town of Springdale Town of Springfield Town of Vermont Town of Verona Town of Vienna Town of Westport 1870 population: 26,154 |
| Romanzo E. Davis | Reform | | 29th | 1876 | Western Dane County Town of Berry Town of Black Earth Town of Blue Mounds Town of Cross Plains Town of Dane Town of Fitchburg Town of Madison Town of Mazomanie Town of Middleton Town of Montrose Town of Oregon Town of Perry Town of Primrose Town of Roxbury Town of Rutland Town of Springdale Town of Springfield Town of Vermont Town of Verona Town of Vienna Town of Westport 1870 population: 26,154 |
| Romanzo E. Davis | Reform | | 30th | 1877 | Western Dane County Town of Berry Town of Black Earth Town of Blue Mounds Town of Cross Plains Town of Dane Town of Fitchburg Town of Mazomanie Town of Middleton Town of Montrose Town of Perry Town of Primrose Town of Roxbury Town of Springdale Town of Springfield Town of Vermont Town of Verona Town of Westport 1875 population: 20,435 |
| Matthew Anderson | Dem. | | 31st | 1878 | Western Dane County Town of Berry Town of Black Earth Town of Blue Mounds Town of Cross Plains Town of Dane Town of Fitchburg Town of Mazomanie Town of Middleton Town of Montrose Town of Perry Town of Primrose Town of Roxbury Town of Springdale Town of Springfield Town of Vermont Town of Verona Town of Westport 1875 population: 20,435 |
| Matthew Anderson | Dem. | | 32nd | 1879 | Western Dane County Town of Berry Town of Black Earth Town of Blue Mounds Town of Cross Plains Town of Dane Town of Fitchburg Town of Mazomanie Town of Middleton Town of Montrose Town of Perry Town of Primrose Town of Roxbury Town of Springdale Town of Springfield Town of Vermont Town of Verona Town of Westport 1875 population: 20,435 |
| Matthew Anderson | Dem. | | 33rd | 1880 | Western Dane County Town of Berry Town of Black Earth Town of Blue Mounds Town of Cross Plains Town of Dane Town of Fitchburg Town of Mazomanie Town of Middleton Town of Montrose Town of Perry Town of Primrose Town of Roxbury Town of Springdale Town of Springfield Town of Vermont Town of Verona Town of Westport 1875 population: 20,435 |
| Matthew Anderson | Dem. | | 34th | 1881 | Western Dane County Town of Berry Town of Black Earth Town of Blue Mounds Town of Cross Plains Town of Dane Town of Fitchburg Town of Mazomanie Town of Middleton Town of Montrose Town of Perry Town of Primrose Town of Roxbury Town of Springdale Town of Springfield Town of Vermont Town of Verona Town of Westport 1875 population: 20,435 |
| John Adams | Dem. | | 35th | 1882 | Western Dane County Town of Berry Town of Black Earth Town of Blue Mounds Town of Cross Plains Town of Dane Town of Fitchburg Town of Mazomanie Town of Middleton Town of Montrose Town of Perry Town of Primrose Town of Roxbury Town of Springdale Town of Springfield Town of Vermont Town of Verona Town of Westport 1875 population: 20,435 |
| John Adams | Dem. | | 36th | 1883–1884 | Dane County 1880 population: 53,234 1885 population: 58,400 |
| James Conklin | Dem. | | 37th | 1885–1886 | Dane County 1880 population: 53,234 1885 population: 58,400 |
| James Conklin | Dem. | | 38th | 1887–1888 | Dane County 1880 population: 53,234 1885 population: 58,400 |
| Willett Main | Rep. | | 39th | 1889–1890 | Dane County 1880 population: 53,234 1885 population: 58,400 |
| Willett Main | Rep. | | 40th | 1891–1892 | Dane County 1880 population: 53,234 1885 population: 58,400 |
| Robert McKee Bashford | Dem. | | 41st | 1893–1894 | Most of Dane County 1890 population: 45,093 |
| Robert McKee Bashford | Dem. | | 42nd | 1895–1896 | Most of Dane County 1890 population: 45,093 |
| Chauncey B. Welton | Rep. | | 43rd | 1897–1898 | WI Senate District 26, 1896-1954 Dane County 1895 population: 65,669 1900 population: 69,435 1910 population: 77,435 |
| Chauncey B. Welton | Rep. | | 44th | 1899–1900 | WI Senate District 26, 1896-1954 Dane County 1895 population: 65,669 1900 population: 69,435 1910 population: 77,435 |
| George P. Miller | Rep. | | 45th | 1901–1902 | WI Senate District 26, 1896-1954 Dane County 1895 population: 65,669 1900 population: 69,435 1910 population: 77,435 |
| George P. Miller | Rep. | | 46th | 1903–1904 | WI Senate District 26, 1896-1954 Dane County 1895 population: 65,669 1900 population: 69,435 1910 population: 77,435 |
| Albert M. Stondall | Rep. | | 47th | 1905–1906 | WI Senate District 26, 1896-1954 Dane County 1895 population: 65,669 1900 population: 69,435 1910 population: 77,435 |
| Albert M. Stondall | Rep. | | 48th | 1907–1908 | WI Senate District 26, 1896-1954 Dane County 1895 population: 65,669 1900 population: 69,435 1910 population: 77,435 |
| John S. Donald | Rep. | | 49th | 1909–1910 | WI Senate District 26, 1896-1954 Dane County 1895 population: 65,669 1900 population: 69,435 1910 population: 77,435 |
| John S. Donald | Rep. | | 50th | 1911–1912 | WI Senate District 26, 1896-1954 Dane County 1895 population: 65,669 1900 population: 69,435 1910 population: 77,435 |
| Henry Huber | Rep. | | 51st | 1913–1914 | WI Senate District 26, 1896-1954 Dane County 1895 population: 65,669 1900 population: 69,435 1910 population: 77,435 |
| Henry Huber | Rep. | | 52nd | 1915–1916 | WI Senate District 26, 1896-1954 Dane County 1895 population: 65,669 1900 population: 69,435 1910 population: 77,435 |
| Henry Huber | Rep. | | 53rd | 1917–1918 | WI Senate District 26, 1896-1954 Dane County 1895 population: 65,669 1900 population: 69,435 1910 population: 77,435 |
| Henry Huber | Rep. | | 54th | 1919–1920 | WI Senate District 26, 1896-1954 Dane County 1895 population: 65,669 1900 population: 69,435 1910 population: 77,435 |
| Henry Huber | Rep. | | 55th | 1921–1922 | WI Senate District 26, 1896-1954 Dane County 1895 population: 65,669 1900 population: 69,435 1910 population: 77,435 |
| Henry Huber | Rep. | | 56th | 1923–1924 | WI Senate District 26, 1896-1954 Dane County 1895 population: 65,669 1900 population: 69,435 1910 population: 77,435 |
| Harry Sauthoff | Rep. | | 57th | 1925–1926 | WI Senate District 26, 1896-1954 Dane County 1895 population: 65,669 1900 population: 69,435 1910 population: 77,435 |
| Harry Sauthoff | Rep. | | 58th | 1927–1928 | WI Senate District 26, 1896-1954 Dane County 1895 population: 65,669 1900 population: 69,435 1910 population: 77,435 |
| Glenn D. Roberts | Rep. | | 59th | 1929–1930 | WI Senate District 26, 1896-1954 Dane County 1895 population: 65,669 1900 population: 69,435 1910 population: 77,435 |
| Glenn D. Roberts | Rep. | | 60th | 1931–1932 | WI Senate District 26, 1896-1954 Dane County 1895 population: 65,669 1900 population: 69,435 1910 population: 77,435 |
| Alvin C. Reis | Rep. | Resigned 1934. | 61st | 1933–1934 | WI Senate District 26, 1896-1954 Dane County 1895 population: 65,669 1900 population: 69,435 1910 population: 77,435 |
| Harold Groves | Prog. | Won 1934 special election. | 62nd | 1935–1936 | WI Senate District 26, 1896-1954 Dane County 1895 population: 65,669 1900 population: 69,435 1910 population: 77,435 |
| Fred E. Risser | Prog. | | 63rd | 1937–1938 | WI Senate District 26, 1896-1954 Dane County 1895 population: 65,669 1900 population: 69,435 1910 population: 77,435 |
| Fred E. Risser | Prog. | | 64th | 1939–1940 | WI Senate District 26, 1896-1954 Dane County 1895 population: 65,669 1900 population: 69,435 1910 population: 77,435 |
| Fred E. Risser | Prog. | | 65th | 1941–1942 | WI Senate District 26, 1896-1954 Dane County 1895 population: 65,669 1900 population: 69,435 1910 population: 77,435 |
| Fred E. Risser | Prog. | | 66th | 1943–1944 | WI Senate District 26, 1896-1954 Dane County 1895 population: 65,669 1900 population: 69,435 1910 population: 77,435 |
| Fred E. Risser | Prog. | | 67th | 1945–1946 | WI Senate District 26, 1896-1954 Dane County 1895 population: 65,669 1900 population: 69,435 1910 population: 77,435 |
| Fred E. Risser | Prog. | | 68th | 1947–1948 | WI Senate District 26, 1896-1954 Dane County 1895 population: 65,669 1900 population: 69,435 1910 population: 77,435 |
| Gaylord Nelson | Dem. | | 69th | 1949–1950 | WI Senate District 26, 1896-1954 Dane County 1895 population: 65,669 1900 population: 69,435 1910 population: 77,435 |
| Gaylord Nelson | Dem. | | 70th | 1951–1952 | WI Senate District 26, 1896-1954 Dane County 1895 population: 65,669 1900 population: 69,435 1910 population: 77,435 |
| Gaylord Nelson | Dem. | | 71st | 1953–1954 | WI Senate District 26, 1896-1954 Dane County 1895 population: 65,669 1900 population: 69,435 1910 population: 77,435 |
| Gaylord Nelson | Dem. | | 72nd | 1955–1956 | Part of Dane County |
| Horace W. Wilkie | Dem. | Resigned June 1962 after appointment to Wisconsin Supreme Court. | 73rd | 1957–1958 | Part of Dane County |
| Horace W. Wilkie | Dem. | Resigned June 1962 after appointment to Wisconsin Supreme Court. | 74th | 1959–1960 | Part of Dane County |
| Horace W. Wilkie | Dem. | Resigned June 1962 after appointment to Wisconsin Supreme Court. | 75th | 1961–1962 | Part of Dane County |
| Part of Dane County |||
| Fred A. Risser | Dem. | Won 1962 special election. | 76th | 1963–1964 | Part of Dane County |
| Fred A. Risser | Dem. | Won 1962 special election. | 77th | 1965–1966 | Part of Dane County |
| Fred A. Risser | Dem. | Won 1962 special election. | 78th | 1967–1968 | Part of Dane County |
| Fred A. Risser | Dem. | Won 1962 special election. | 79th | 1969–1970 | Part of Dane County |
| Fred A. Risser | Dem. | Won 1962 special election. | 80th | 1971–1972 | Part of Dane County |
| Fred A. Risser | Dem. | Won 1962 special election. | 81st | 1973–1974 | Part of Dane County |
| Fred A. Risser | Dem. | Won 1962 special election. | 82nd | 1975–1976 | Part of Dane County |
| Fred A. Risser | Dem. | Won 1962 special election. | 83rd | 1977–1978 | Part of Dane County |
| Fred A. Risser | Dem. | Won 1962 special election. | 84th | 1979–1980 | Part of Dane County |
| Fred A. Risser | Dem. | Won 1962 special election. | 85th | 1981–1982 | Part of Dane County |
| Fred A. Risser | Dem. | Won 1962 special election. | 86th | 1983–1984 | Part of Dane County |
| Fred A. Risser | Dem. | Won 1962 special election. | 87th | 1985–1986 | Part of Dane County |
| Fred A. Risser | Dem. | Won 1962 special election. | 88th | 1987–1988 | Part of Dane County |
| Fred A. Risser | Dem. | Won 1962 special election. | 89th | 1989–1990 | Part of Dane County |
| Fred A. Risser | Dem. | Won 1962 special election. | 90th | 1991–1992 | Part of Dane County |
| Fred A. Risser | Dem. | Won 1962 special election. | 91st | 1993–1994 | Part of Dane County |
| Fred A. Risser | Dem. | Won 1962 special election. | 92nd | 1995–1996 | Part of Dane County |
| Fred A. Risser | Dem. | Won 1962 special election. | 93rd | 1997–1998 | Part of Dane County |
| Fred A. Risser | Dem. | Won 1962 special election. | 94th | 1999–2000 | Part of Dane County |
| Fred A. Risser | Dem. | Won 1962 special election. | 95th | 2001–2002 | Part of Dane County |
| Fred A. Risser | Dem. | Won 1962 special election. | 96th | 2003–2004 | Part of Dane County |
| Fred A. Risser | Dem. | Won 1962 special election. | 97th | 2005–2006 | Part of Dane County |
| Fred A. Risser | Dem. | Won 1962 special election. | 98th | 2007–2008 | Part of Dane County |
| Fred A. Risser | Dem. | Won 1962 special election. | 99th | 2009–2010 | Part of Dane County |
| Fred A. Risser | Dem. | Won 1962 special election. | 100th | 2011–2012 | Part of Dane County |
| Fred A. Risser | Dem. | Won 1962 special election. | 101st | 2013–2014 | Central Dane County |
| Fred A. Risser | Dem. | Won 1962 special election. | 102nd | 2015–2016 | Central Dane County |
| Fred A. Risser | Dem. | Won 1962 special election. | 103rd | 2017–2018 | Central Dane County |
| Fred A. Risser | Dem. | Won 1962 special election. | 104th | 2019–2020 | Central Dane County |
| Kelda Roys | Dem. | Elected 2020. Re-elected 2024. | 105th | 2021–2022 | Central Dane County |
| Kelda Roys | Dem. | Elected 2020. Re-elected 2024. | 106th | 2023–2024 | Central Dane County |
| Kelda Roys | Dem. | Elected 2020. Re-elected 2024. | 107th | 2025–2026 | Central Dane County |