Who is running for State Senate District 17 in Wisconsin in 2026?

Howard Marklein (R), Jenna Jacobson (D)

When is the Wisconsin 2026 general election?

Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Polls are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Wisconsin › Races › State Senate District 17

State Senate District 17 — Wisconsin 2026

2 candidates on the November 3, 2026 general election ballot (official Wisconsin Elections Commission list, as of October 6, 2026). Grades reflect each candidate's public record on life, family, religious liberty, the Second Amendment, limited government and fiscal responsibility.

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Candidates

AHoward MarkleinRepublican

Incumbent state senator, District 17; Republican.

LifeAFamilyAReligious libertyA2nd AmendmentALimited gov’tAFiscalA

Voted yes on all captured 2023-26 conservative priority roll calls (abortion, gender/parental-rights, Freedom to Gather, firearms, partial-veto and tax-cut measures). Endorsed by AFP-Wisconsin (2026). iVoterGuide rates Conservative.

Life: Voted yes on SB 343 (2023) (abortion-definition clarification), SB 344 (2023) (child tax credit for unborn children), SB 553 (2025) (abortion-definition exclusions), SB 384 (2025) (born-alive care requirements), SB 371 (2025) (fetal-development instruction).
Family: Voted yes on AB 377 (2023) (K-12 girls' sports), AB 465 (2023) (ban on sex-reassignment surgery for minors), AB 510 (2023) (Parents' Bill of Rights), AB 100 (2025) (K-12 girls' sports), AB 102 (2025) (college girls' sports), AB 104 (2025) (ban on gender-transition surgery for minors), SB 799 (2025) (parental access to minors' health records).
Religious liberty: Voted yes on SJR 54 (2023) ('Freedom to Gather' worship amendment), AJR 10 (2025) ('Freedom to Gather' worship amendment), SB 687 (2023) (religious-society property).
2nd Amendment: Voted yes on SB 466 (2023) (ban on firearm merchant codes), SB 641 (2023) (repeal of electric-weapon regulation).
Limited gov’t: Voted yes on AJR 112 (2023) (partial-veto limit amendment), SJR 116 (2025) (partial-veto limit amendment), AJR 109 (2023) (anti-preferential-treatment amendment), AJR 102 (2025) (anti-preferential-treatment amendment), AB 602 (2025) (scholarship tax-credit school choice). Endorsed by AFP-Wisconsin (2026).
Fiscal: Voted yes on AB 386 (2023) (income tax cut), AB 1020 (2023) (income tax cut), SB 36 (2025) (tip income tax exemption), SB 344 (2023) (child tax credit for unborn children), AB 602 (2025) (scholarship tax-credit school choice). Endorsed by AFP-Wisconsin (2026).

Sources: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]

Ballotpedia

FJenna JacobsonDemocratic

Sitting state representative (Assembly District 50) running for State Senate, District 17; Democratic.

LifeFFamilyFReligious libertyD2nd AmendmentFLimited gov’tFFiscalD

Voted against most captured conservative priority bills (gender/parental-rights, partial-veto, school choice), with yes votes on SB 36 (2025), AB 1 (May 2026 special session). Endorsed by EMILY's List (2026). Moms Demand Action Gun Sense Candidate (2026). iVoterGuide rates Verified Liberal.

Life: Voted no on AB 975 (2023, 14-week abortion-limit referendum), with the Democratic caucus; pro-life groups also opposed that bill, so it is not treated as decisive. Endorsed by EMILY's List (pro-choice), 2026.
Family: Voted no on AB 377 (2023) (K-12 girls' sports), AB 378 (2023) (college girls' sports), AB 465 (2023) (ban on sex-reassignment surgery for minors), AB 510 (2023) (Parents' Bill of Rights), AB 100 (2025) (K-12 girls' sports), AB 102 (2025) (college girls' sports), AB 104 (2025) (ban on gender-transition surgery for minors), SB 405 (2025) (civil remedies for minors harmed by gender-transition procedures), SB 799 (2025) (parental access to minors' health records).
Religious liberty: Voted no on SJR 54 (2023) ('Freedom to Gather' worship amendment), AJR 10 (2025) ('Freedom to Gather' worship amendment).
2nd Amendment: Voted no on SB 466 (2023) (ban on firearm merchant codes). Designated a Moms Demand Action Gun Sense Candidate (2026).
Limited gov’t: Voted no on AJR 112 (2023) (partial-veto limit amendment), SJR 116 (2025) (partial-veto limit amendment), AJR 109 (2023) (anti-preferential-treatment amendment), AJR 102 (2025) (anti-preferential-treatment amendment), AJR 66 (2023) (tax-increase supermajority amendment), AB 602 (2025) (scholarship tax-credit school choice).
Fiscal: Voted yes on SB 36 (2025) (tip income tax exemption), AB 1 (May 2026 special session) (property tax relief/school funding); voted no on AB 386 (2023) (income tax cut), AB 1020 (2023) (income tax cut), AJR 66 (2023) (tax-increase supermajority amendment), AB 602 (2025) (scholarship tax-credit school choice).

Sources: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]

Ballotpedia

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