The Wisconsin State Capitol will have a different feel for state Rep. Joel Kitchens and state Sen.-elect Nic Cravillion when they begin their new terms next year. Tuesday’s election not only kept Wisconsin’s constitutional offices under Democratic control but also saw the Assembly and Senate change hands. It marks the first time Democrats have held a political “trifecta” since Gov. Jim Doyle was in office in 2010.

Kitchens says he has worked well with his Democratic colleagues since he was first elected to the 1st Assembly District seat, even serving alongside Gov.-elect David Crowley for two terms beginning in 2016. He considers Crowley a friend from that time but also knows that party politics can take over, making it difficult to find willing partners for bipartisan legislation.

Cravillion is new to the role but not new to Madison after years of serving under outgoing state Sen. Andre Jacque. He says he will not shy away from finding common ground with those across the aisle, but he also will not forget about the people who put him in office.

Kitchens, Cravillion, and the other winners of Tuesday’s state legislative elections will be sworn into office Jan. 4, 2027.