Helmer and DeSanto are on the November 3, 2026 ballot. Names follow official Columbia County election filings.
Julie Helmer (Republican), Karen DeSanto (Democratic) meet on the November 3 ballot; Karen DeSanto is the sitting member, per the Wisconsin Elections Commission's incumbent listing and the Legislature's roster. 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.
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. The sitting officeholder, Karen DeSanto, is on the ballot.
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Wisconsin › Columbia County › Wisconsin Assembly District 40
Top priorities
From the campaign site
Helmer works as a customer service representative at a local insurance agency and previously worked in administration for a tax and accounting firm in Madison, per her campaign site. She has served as vice chair of the 2nd Congressional District GOP, secretary of the Sauk County GOP, and as one of Wisconsin's presidential electors in 2024.
Top priorities
From the campaign site
Karen DeSanto is the State Representative for Wisconsin's 40th Assembly District, per the campaign site. DeSanto was CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of West Central Wisconsin and was named National Chief Executive Officer of the Year by Boys & Girls Clubs of America, per the campaign site. DeSanto has worked more than 30 years as a touring circus performer and educator, including as Director of Clowning for Feld Entertainment, per the campaign site.
Who is running for Wisconsin Assembly District 40 in 2026?
2 candidates are tracked for Wisconsin Assembly District 40 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Julie Helmer and Karen DeSanto. Candidate information follows official Columbia County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.
When is the Wisconsin Assembly District 40 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 Columbia 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.
Candidate roster from official Columbia County and state election office filings. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.
Cross-check with the official Wisconsin election office, or see the full Columbia County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.
5 tracked races in Columbia County, Wisconsin. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.