Lafayette County Sample Ballot & Voter Guide 2026

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.

• Nathan Tataje · American Solidarity▾

  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.

  Priorities: 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 (per the campaign site)

  Full profile →Campaign site →
• Todd Novak · RepublicanIncumbent▾

  Todd Novak has served as Mayor of Dodgeville since 2012 and previously worked as government and associate editor of the Dodgeville Chronicle, per his official legislator biography. He was appointed to the Southwest Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission and was first elected to the Assembly in 2014. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 7, 2026.

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• Ben Gruber · Democratic▾

  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.

  Priorities: Lowering everyday costs for families · Rebuilding rural communities and protecting natural resources · Strengthening workers' right to organize (per the campaign site)

  Full profile →Campaign site →

Howard Marklein (Republican), Jenna Jacobson (Democratic) meet on the November 3 ballot; Howard Marklein 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.

• Howard Marklein · RepublicanIncumbent▾

  Howard Marklein is a certified public accountant and certified fraud examiner who has been a partner at the accounting firm now known as Baker Tilly, per his official legislator biography. He served two terms in the Assembly before his election to the Senate and has co-chaired the Legislature's Joint Committee on Finance since 2021. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 7, 2026.

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• Jenna Jacobson · Democratic▾

  Jenna Jacobson has provided volunteer budgeting and credit counseling services in Oregon, Wisconsin, and previously served as a village trustee focused on housing issues, per her official Assembly biography. She holds a degree in consumer financial planning from Purdue University after transferring from UW-River Falls, and currently represents the 50th Assembly District. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 7, 2026.

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