The Ballot Brief
Grant County, Wisconsin

Wisconsin Assembly District 51

Tataje, Novak and Gruber are on the November 3, 2026 ballot. Names follow official Grant County election filings.

About this race

Nathan Tataje (American Solidarity), Todd Novak (Republican), Ben Gruber (Democratic) meet on the November 3 ballot; Todd Novak 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.

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. The sitting officeholder, Todd Novak, is on the ballot.

We use AI to research and write election information. Errors are possible. Verify important details with official sources.

Wisconsin › Grant County › Wisconsin Assembly District 51

Nathan Tataje

American Solidarity

Top priorities

From the campaign site

  • Permanent property tax relief through a dedicated Rural School Endowment
  • Protecting local zoning authority from state and corporate overreach
  • Environmental stewardship regarding large-scale data centers' impact on property values and aquifers
Biography

Nathan Tataje is a first-generation American whose parents immigrated from Peru and Nicaragua, and he lives in rural Arena, per his American Solidarity Party candidate page. He serves as Grand Knight of Knights of Columbus Council 7811 and describes his campaign as rooted in working-class experience rather than a political career.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Todd Novak

RepublicanIncumbent

Biography

Todd Novak is a candidate for re-election to the Wisconsin State Assembly in the 51st District, per the campaign site. Novak is a lifelong Iowa County resident who worked as an associate editor at the Dodgeville Chronicle and served as Mayor of Dodgeville for 12 years, per the campaign site. Novak was named chair of the Assembly task force on water quality formed after the Southwest Wisconsin Groundwater and Geology Study, per the campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Ben Gruber

Democratic

Top priorities

From the campaign site

  • Lowering everyday costs for families
  • Rebuilding rural communities and protecting natural resources
  • Strengthening workers' right to organize
Biography

Ben Gruber has worked as a volunteer EMT, firefighter, paramedic, police officer and conservation warden, per his campaign website. He grew up in a rural, working-class family as the oldest of three children.

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

Who is running for Wisconsin Assembly District 51 in 2026?

3 candidates are tracked for Wisconsin Assembly District 51 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Nathan Tataje, Todd Novak and Ben Gruber. Candidate information follows official Grant County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

When is the Wisconsin Assembly District 51 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 Grant 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 Grant 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 Grant County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Grant County ballot

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

Also on your ballot
Wisconsin Assembly District 49See all 3 Grant County races
Candidate profiles
Nathan Tataje, full profileTodd Novak, full profileBen Gruber, full profileOfficial Wisconsin election office