MADISON, Wis. (Civic Media) – Senator Dianne Hesselbein (D-Middleton) was elected Friday as the state Senate’s new minority leader. 

Hesselbein is replacing Senator Melissa Agard (D-Madison) for the role of top Senate Democrat. Senator Agard announced last week that she was stepping down from the position of minority leader to run for Dane County Executive.

Hesselbein was first elected to the Senate last year after serving over a decade in the state Assembly. Before that, Hesselbein had served on the Dane County Board.

Hesselbein was elected by fellow Senate Democrats in the closed Zoom vote Friday evening, beating out Senators Kelda Roys (D-Madison) and Jeff Smith (D-Brunswick) for the position. 

In a statement, Hesselbein said she is honored to be elected to the position, and will make sure that all voices in the caucus are heard. 

I am beyond honored to have earned the confidence of this inspirational, hard-working and talented group of Senators. I am proud to lead such a strong group the rest of this session and into the year ahead.

Working together we have great opportunities ahead of us. As leader I… pic.twitter.com/T7rwH4eM76

— State Senator Dianne H. Hesselbein (@SenHesselbein) December 1, 2023

“Working together we have great opportunities ahead of us,” Hesselbein says. “As leader, I will ensure that everyone has a voice. I pledge to make every member of our caucus – and the people we represent — a priority.”

Hesselbein is taking leadership at a pivotal time for state Democrats. While they only hold 11 of the 33 seats in the state Senate, the Wisconsin Supreme Court is expected to strike down the state’s legislative maps by the end of the year. If that happens, every legislative seat will be on the ballot next year, giving Democrats a chance to close the partisan gap in the legislature.

If the maps get redrawn, Hesselbein will be tasked with having a significant role in recruiting Democratic candidates to run for office across the entire state.