Winnebago County Sample Ballot & Voter Guide 2026
Who is running for County Sheriff, County Clerk of Circuit Court and Wisconsin Assembly and more, and where they stand on health care, schools and jobs.
County offices
SheriffDarin M. Rice (R) · Jason W. Rippl (D) · Danielle Falesnik (Independent)
Darin M. Rice (Republican), Jason W. Rippl (Democratic) and Danielle Falesnik (Independent) are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Winnebago County Sheriff.
Darin M. Rice
Top priorities
- Building a sheriff's office focused on customer service and positive community engagement
- Safeguarding children, seniors, crime victims and people facing mental health or substance abuse challenges
- Modernizing technology in a fiscally responsible way and exploring inter-agency collaboration
Per the campaign site.
About Darin M. Rice
Rice is a captain overseeing the Field Services Division of the Winnebago County Sheriff's Office, with a more than 20-year department career beginning in 2004 that has included corrections, patrol, investigations, training and special operations, per his campaign site and Fox11. He was endorsed by outgoing Sheriff John Matz, per Fox11.
Jason W. Rippl
Rippl is a patrol officer with the Winnebago County Sheriff's Office, with a more than 20-year department career beginning in 1998, per Fox11. He has said he plans to hold regular town halls and attend community events to build direct relationships with residents, per Fox11.
Danielle Falesnik
Top priorities
- Improving how law enforcement responds to mental health, addiction and family-conflict crisis calls
- Evidence-based policing that balances public safety with civil liberties
Per the campaign site.
About Danielle Falesnik
Falesnik qualified for the November ballot as an independent candidate by nomination papers, but on August 30, 2026 she announced she was ending her active campaign and endorsing Democrat Jason Rippl; because Wisconsin's ballot-withdrawal statute does not cover county offices, her name is still expected to appear on the ballot, per Wisconsin law and Yahoo News/Oshkosh Northwestern's coverage of her announcement. She is a licensed professional counselor with 15 years of experience in mental health and administration, including as owner and director of an outpatient psychotherapy practice, per her campaign site.
Darin M. Rice was the only candidate to file in the Republican column and Jason W. Rippl the only candidate to file in the Democratic column, so both advanced to the November 3 ballot without a contested primary, per the Winnebago County Clerk's official August 11, 2026 primary election information packet listing candidates by party and office. Independent Danielle Falesnik separately qualified for the November ballot by nomination papers; on August 30, 2026 she announced she was ending her active campaign and endorsing Rippl, but county offices are not among the offices Wisconsin law (Wis. Stat. sec. 8.35(1) and (1m)) allows to withdraw from the ballot after qualifying, so her name is expected to still appear on the ballot despite the announcement, per the Wisconsin statutes and Oshkosh Northwestern/Yahoo News coverage of her announcement. All three candidates are running for the seat held by retiring Sheriff John Matz.
Full race pageClerk of Circuit CourtDesiree Bongers (D)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Desiree Bongers
Bongers has served as Winnebago County Clerk of Circuit Court since September 23, 2024, per the county's staff directory. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026.
Desiree Bongers was the only candidate who filed for the office, in the Democratic column; no Republican, Constitution, Libertarian or Wisconsin Green candidate filed, so she is unopposed on the November 3 ballot, per the Winnebago County Clerk's official August 11, 2026 primary election information packet.
Full race pageBy address
These seats are elected by district; only the district covering your address is on your ballot.
Winnebago County is split across 7 Wisconsin Assembly and Senate districts.
Find your districts by addressWisconsin Assembly: 5 districtsDistricts 39, 53, 54, 55, 57
Wisconsin Assembly District 39Alex Dallman (R) · Michael Skivington (D)
Alex Dallman
Top priorities
- Education and workforce
- Agriculture
- Safe and fair elections
Per the campaign site.
About Alex Dallman
Alex Dallman is serving his third term as the state representative for the 39th Assembly District and sits on the Joint Committee on Finance, per the campaign site. Dallman was born and raised in Markesan and holds a bachelor's degree in political science from Edgewood College, per the campaign site.
Michael Skivington
Top priorities
- Increase state funding for public education
- Strengthen rural public health networks and expand mental health access
- Support conservation grants and small-business incentives
Per the campaign site.
About Michael Skivington
Skivington is a Green Lake County Board Supervisor and a former public school teacher and university professor who holds a PhD in special education from UW-Madison, per his campaign site. He and his wife co-own Free Spirit Yoga and work in real estate.
Alex Dallman (Republican), Michael Skivington (Democratic) meet on the November 3 ballot; Alex Dallman 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.
Full race pageWisconsin Assembly District 53Rachael Dowling (Independent) · David Daniels (R) · Becky Nichols (D)
Rachael Dowling
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.
About Rachael Dowling
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.
David Daniels
Top priorities
- Address rising costs
- Healthcare affordability
- Empowering parents and putting kids first
Per the campaign site.
About David Daniels
David Daniels is an Air Force veteran who has lived in Neenah since 1993 and owns Radon Safe Homes and Compassion Homes, per the campaign site. Daniels earlier owned Radon Specialists of WI, sold in 2019, and served as vice president and president of the American Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists, per the campaign site.
Becky Nichols
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.
About Becky Nichols
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.
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.
Full race pageWisconsin Assembly District 54Tim Paterson (R) · Lori Palmeri (D)
Tim Paterson
Top priorities
- Addressing rising costs and reducing the tax burden
- Keeping Oshkosh safe
- Empowering parents and putting kids first
Per the campaign site.
About Tim Paterson
Tim Paterson is a retired Army National Guard and Army Reserve lieutenant colonel with 33 years of service and a former Blackhawk pilot, per the campaign site. Paterson earned a bachelor's degree in business from Excelsior College in 2001, worked for Alta Resources from 1999 to 2021 and has lived in Oshkosh for 35 years, per the campaign site.
Lori Palmeri
Lori Palmeri works as an international medical courier and previously served on the Oshkosh Common Council before completing two terms as Oshkosh Mayor, per her official legislator page. She holds a bachelor's degree in Urban and Regional Studies from UW-Oshkosh and a master's degree in Urban Planning from UW-Milwaukee. She is the Democratic incumbent seeking reelection to the 54th Assembly District in the November 3, 2026 general election. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026.
Tim Paterson (Republican), Lori Palmeri (Democratic) meet on the November 3 ballot; Lori Palmeri 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.
Full race pageWisconsin Assembly District 55Nate Gustafson (R) · Alex Corrigan (D)
Nate Gustafson
Nate Gustafson is the state representative for Wisconsin's 55th Assembly District, serves on the Winnebago County Board and is vice chair of the Committee on Regulatory Licensing Reform, per the campaign site. Gustafson co-founded Glacier Valley Applications in 2022 and chairs the Speaker's Task Force on Artificial Intelligence, per the campaign site.
Alex Corrigan
Alex Corrigan is the Democratic candidate for Wisconsin Assembly District 55 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Wisconsin Elections Commission's certified Candidates on Ballot list. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026.
Nate Gustafson (Republican), Alex Corrigan (Democratic) meet on the November 3 ballot; Nate Gustafson 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.
Full race pageWisconsin Assembly District 57Kevin Krentz (R) · Joey Marschall (D)
Kevin Krentz
Top priorities
- Reduce regulatory burden and taxes on small business
- Cut property taxes and address housing and energy affordability
- Increase funding and legal protections for law enforcement
Per the campaign site.
About Kevin Krentz
Krentz is a farmer operating a multi-generational family farm in Waushara County that has been in his family since 1958, per his campaign site. He served as Aurora Town Board chairperson from 2010 to 2014 and as president of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation from 2020 to 2023.
Joey Marschall
Top priorities
- Treat health care as a basic right, not a luxury
- Bring jobs, infrastructure and broadband investment to rural communities
- Protect family farms in rural areas
Per the campaign site.
About Joey Marschall
Marschall has worked in factory positions at Baker Cheese and Mercury Marine, in property management, and currently in custodial and bartending roles, per his campaign site. He attended UW-Oshkosh, studying criminal justice, and founded the first Gay-Straight Alliance at Fond du Lac High School.
Kevin Krentz (Republican), Joey Marschall (Democratic) meet on the November 3 ballot. The seat is open: Kevin Petersen 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.
Full race pageWisconsin Senate: 2 districtsDistricts 13, 19
Wisconsin Senate District 13John Jagler (R) · Sasha Ripley (D)
John Jagler
Jagler is a realtor who also owns a family-run natural dog treat company and a communications consulting business, per his official legislator page. A former radio morning show host and news anchor, he served as communications director for Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald before his election to the Legislature. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026.
Sasha Ripley
Top priorities
- Data center regulations and transparency
- Worker protection and opportunities
- Restructure funding for public schools
Per the campaign site.
About Sasha Ripley
Sasha Ripley is a teacher who has taught GED and HSED classes to low-income adults and holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, per the campaign site. Ripley worked at a small local pharmacy for eight years while in college and has a degree in medical coding, per the campaign site.
John Jagler (Republican), Sasha Ripley (Democratic) meet on the November 3 ballot; John Jagler 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.
Full race pageWisconsin Senate District 19Rachael Ann Cabral-Guevara (R) · Emily Daniels Tseffos (D)
Rachael Ann Cabral-Guevara
Cabral-Guevara is a board-certified family nurse practitioner who founded Nurse Practitioner Health Services, LLC, in Appleton in 2014, per her official legislator page. She holds nursing degrees from UW-Oshkosh and UW-Milwaukee and chairs the Senate Committee on Health. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026.
Emily Daniels Tseffos
Tseffos is chair of the Outagamie County Democratic Party and an active community organizer in the Fox Valley, per Civic Media. She ran for Assembly District 56 in 2024, losing to Republican David Murphy. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026.
Rachael Ann Cabral-Guevara (Republican), Emily Daniels Tseffos (Democratic) meet on the November 3 ballot; Rachael Ann Cabral-Guevara 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.
Full race pageVoting info and more
Voting info and more
Verify your ballot with the official election office.
Cross-check every race and candidate with the official election office. Official sources are the final word.
Wisconsin nominees were set by the August 11 partisan primary (plurality, no runoffs) and meet on the November 3 ballot; unopposed nominees still print. All 99 Assembly seats and the odd-numbered Senate districts are up, along with sheriff, clerk of circuit court and coroner in each county; county clerk, treasurer, register of deeds and district attorney were elected in 2024 and county executives, boards and judges are elected at the spring election, per the Wisconsin Elections Commission.
Who is on the ballot in Winnebago County, Wisconsin on November 3, 2026?
Winnebago County sample ballot 2026: see where the county sheriff, clerk of circuit court and wisconsin senate candidates stand on health care and schools. Every candidate profile on this page names the official filing or campaign source it came from.
When is the 2026 general election in Wisconsin?
Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Wisconsin are listed on the Wisconsin election hub. Wisconsin election hub →
How do I see my exact Winnebago County ballot?
Enter your ZIP code in the lookup for the statewide and congressional races on every ballot in the county, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location. Look up your ballot →
Sample ballot by ZIP code in Winnebago County11 ZIP codes
Candidate roster last updated Sep 25, 2026 from official election sources.