The Ballot Brief
Winnebago County, Wisconsin

Wisconsin Assembly District 53

3 candidates are tracked for Wisconsin Assembly District 53 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Rachael Dowling, David Daniels and Becky Nichols. Candidate information follows official Winnebago County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Rachael Dowling (Independent), David Daniels (Republican), Becky Nichols (Democratic) meet on the November 3 ballot. The seat is open: Dean R. Kaufert filed a notification of noncandidacy, per the Wisconsin Elections Commission. Wisconsin has no runoffs; the August 11 partisan primary set each party's nominee, and unopposed nominees still print. The field is the Wisconsin Elections Commission's certified Candidates on Ballot list for the November 3, 2026 general election (read September 7, 2026). This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.

What this office does

State legislator. State legislators write and vote on state laws and the state budget, which fund schools, roads, prisons, universities and health programs, and set the rules for local governments and elections. Each member represents one district and serves on committees that shape bills before a floor vote. Terms are two years in most state houses and four in most state senates.

This race. Elected by district: only voters who live in the district see this race on their ballot.

Wisconsin › Winnebago County › Wisconsin Assembly District 53

Rachael Dowling

Independent

Top priorities
  • Lower costs for gas, groceries, housing, utilities, and health care
  • Require environmental review of large-scale developments such as data centers before approval
  • Increase government transparency, including single-issue bills and public recording of government meetings

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Rachael Dowling has served as a Winnebago County Board Supervisor since 2022 and is a multi-small-business owner with nearly two decades of experience in operations and project management, per her campaign site. She is also an FAA Part 107 licensed drone pilot and lives in Menasha. She is running as an independent for Wisconsin's 53rd Assembly District in the November 3, 2026 general election.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

David Daniels

Republican

Biography

David Daniels of Neenah is a husband, father, and small business owner, per Wisconsin Public Radio. He is the Republican nominee for Wisconsin's 53rd Assembly District in the November 3, 2026 general election, running for the open seat left by retiring Rep. Dean Kaufert. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026.

Becky Nichols

Democratic

Top priorities
  • Protect and expand affordable health care
  • Fully fund public schools and support teachers
  • Lower everyday costs, from groceries to childcare

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Becky Nichols is a public school teacher and longtime Menasha resident who served 12 years on the Menasha City Council, per her campaign site. She is the Democratic nominee for the open seat in Wisconsin's 53rd Assembly District in the November 3, 2026 general election.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)
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Questions about this race

Who is running for Wisconsin Assembly District 53 in 2026?

3 candidates are tracked for Wisconsin Assembly District 53 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Rachael Dowling, David Daniels and Becky Nichols. Candidate information follows official Winnebago County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

When is the Wisconsin Assembly District 53 election in Wisconsin?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Wisconsin are on the Wisconsin election hub at theballotbrief.com.

How do I see my exact Winnebago County ballot?

Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official Winnebago County and state election office filings, last verified September 25, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official Wisconsin election office, or see the full Winnebago County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Winnebago County ballot

9 tracked races in Winnebago County, Wisconsin. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot
Wisconsin Assembly District 55Wisconsin Assembly District 57Wisconsin Senate District 13See all 9 Winnebago County races
Candidate profiles
Rachael Dowling, full profileDavid Daniels, full profileBecky Nichols, full profileOfficial Wisconsin election office