Wisconsin Assembly District 65
Tue, Nov 3 · Represented by Ben DeSmidt Democratic · Member list as of Oct 28
Ben DeSmidtDemocratic · Incumbent2 years since first winValerie KretchmerRepublican
No published poll names both candidates.Last result · 2024 general: Ben DeSmidt (D) 53.3, Brian Gonzales (R) 46.6
- Last election
- Ben DeSmidt (Democratic) won by 6.7 points, 2024
- On the 2026 ballot
- 2 candidates
Side by side
Left column: DeSmidtRight column: Kretchmer
- Races
- Won 1 of 1
- None listed
- Years since first win
- 2
- Not available
How these are counted
Wins and losses count the races in our results files, the same as each profile.
More about this race
Candidates on the ballot
- Ben DeSmidtIncumbentDemocratic
- Valerie KretchmerRepublican
Source: elections.wi.gov, dated Oct 6
All Assembly districts
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- Democratic
- Republican
- Independent
- Nonpartisan
- More than one party
- No member listed
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Official results for Wisconsin
History (27 elections for this seat)
- Votes for listed candidates
- 28,283
- Election day
- November 5, 2024
- District map
- Older district map (2024)
Wisconsin Assembly District 65, 1972 to 2024, 2024, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share DemocraticBen DeSmidtWon Democratic 15,06553.3% RepublicanBrian Gonzales Republican 13,16646.5% Scattered write-ins Write-in 520.2% - Votes for listed candidates
- 17,863
- Election day
- November 8, 2022
- District map
- Older district map (2022)
Wisconsin Assembly District 65, 1972 to 2024, 2022, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share DemocraticTod OhnstadWon(incumbent) Democratic 11,03561.8% RepublicanFrank Petrick Republican 6,80338.1% Scattered write-ins Write-in 250.1% - Votes for listed candidates
- 23,829
- Election day
- November 3, 2020
- District map
- Older district map (2012 to 2021)
Wisconsin Assembly District 65, 1972 to 2024, 2020, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share DemocraticTod OhnstadWon(incumbent) Democratic 14,35660.3% RepublicanCrystal J. Miller Republican 9,44439.6% Scattered write-ins Write-in 290.1% - Votes for listed candidates
- 14,931
- Election day
- November 6, 2018
- District map
- Older district map (2012 to 2021)
Wisconsin Assembly District 65, 1972 to 2024, 2018, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share DemocraticTod OhnstadWon(incumbent) Democratic 14,45696.8% Scattered write-ins Write-in 4753.2% - Votes for listed candidates
- 16,467
- Election day
- November 8, 2016
- District map
- Older district map (2012 to 2021)
Wisconsin Assembly District 65, 1972 to 2024, 2016, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share DemocraticTod OhnstadWon(incumbent) Democratic 16,11297.8% Scattered write-ins Write-in 3552.2% - Votes for listed candidates
- 11,966
- Election day
- November 4, 2014
- District map
- Older district map (2012 to 2021)
Wisconsin Assembly District 65, 1972 to 2024, 2014, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share DemocraticTod OhnstadWon(incumbent) Democratic 11,59996.9% Scattered write-ins Write-in 3673.1% - Votes for listed candidates
- 18,750
- Election day
- November 6, 2012
- District map
- Older district map (2012 to 2021)
Wisconsin Assembly District 65, 1972 to 2024, 2012, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share DemocraticTod OhnstadWon Democratic 18,37398.0% Scattered write-ins Write-in 3772.0% - Votes for listed candidates
- 12,172
- Election day
- November 2, 2010
- District map
- Older district map (2002 to 2011)
Wisconsin Assembly District 65, 1972 to 2024, 2010, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share DemocraticJohn P. SteinbrinkWon(incumbent) Democratic 11,76296.6% Scattered write-ins Write-in 4103.4% - Votes for listed candidates
- 29,087
- Election day
- November 4, 2008
- District map
- Older district map (2002 to 2011)
Wisconsin Assembly District 65, 1972 to 2024, 2008, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share DemocraticJohn SteinbrinkWon(incumbent) Democratic 18,09362.2% RepublicanAlex Tiahnybok Republican 10,99437.8% - Votes for listed candidates
- 13,893
- Election day
- November 7, 2006
- District map
- Older district map (2002 to 2011)
Wisconsin Assembly District 65, 1972 to 2024, 2006, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share DemocraticJohn P. SteinbrinkWon(incumbent) Democratic 13,893100.0% - Votes for listed candidates
- 18,522
- Election day
- November 2, 2004
- District map
- Older district map (2002 to 2011)
Wisconsin Assembly District 65, 1972 to 2024, 2004, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share DemocraticJohn P. SteinbrinkWon(incumbent) Democratic 18,522100.0% - Votes for listed candidates
- 10,233
- Election day
- November 5, 2002
- District map
- Older district map (2002 to 2011)
Wisconsin Assembly District 65, 1972 to 2024, 2002, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share DemocraticJohn P. SteinbrinkWon(incumbent) Democratic 10,233100.0% - Votes for listed candidates
- 16,051
- Election day
- November 7, 2000
- District map
- Older district map (1992 to 2001)
Wisconsin Assembly District 65, 1972 to 2024, 2000, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share DemocraticJohn P. SteinbrinkWon(incumbent) Democratic 16,051100.0% - Votes for listed candidates
- 18,169
- Election day
- November 3, 1998
- District map
- Older district map (1992 to 2001)
Wisconsin Assembly District 65, 1972 to 2024, 1998, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share DemocraticJohn P. SteinbrinkWon(incumbent) Democratic 11,97965.9% RepublicanJoe Robinson Jr. Republican 6,19034.1% - Votes for listed candidates
- 19,824
- Election day
- November 5, 1996
- District map
- Older district map (1992 to 2001)
Wisconsin Assembly District 65, 1972 to 2024, 1996, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share DemocraticJohn P. SteinbrinkWon Democratic 13,00765.6% RepublicanJeff Toboyek Republican 6,81734.4% - Votes for listed candidates
- 15,463
- Election day
- November 8, 1994
- District map
- Older district map (1992 to 2001)
Wisconsin Assembly District 65, 1972 to 2024, 1994, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share DemocraticRobert W. WirchWon(incumbent) Democratic 10,72269.3% RepublicanWalter E. Velden Republican 4,74130.7% - Votes for listed candidates
- 20,430
- Election day
- November 3, 1992
- District map
- Older district map (1992 to 2001)
Wisconsin Assembly District 65, 1972 to 2024, 1992, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share DemocraticRobert W. WirchWon Democratic 15,14474.1% RepublicanDarnell Mason Republican 5,28625.9% - Votes for listed candidates
- 11,060
- Election day
- November 6, 1990
- District map
- Older district map (1984 to 1991)
Wisconsin Assembly District 65, 1972 to 2024, 1990, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share DemocraticJohn M. AntaramianWon(incumbent) Democratic 7,52468.0% RepublicanCynthia Johnson Republican 3,53632.0% - Votes for listed candidates
- 15,439
- Election day
- November 8, 1988
- District map
- Older district map (1984 to 1991)
Wisconsin Assembly District 65, 1972 to 2024, 1988, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share DemocraticJohn Martin AntaramianWon(incumbent) Democratic 15,438100.0% Scattered write-ins Write-in 10.0% - Votes for listed candidates
- 12,370
- Election day
- November 4, 1986
- District map
- Older district map (1984 to 1991)
Wisconsin Assembly District 65, 1972 to 2024, 1986, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share DemocraticJohn M. AntaramianWon(incumbent) Democratic 9,62877.8% RepublicanGraham Republican 2,74222.2% - Votes for listed candidates
- 15,691
- Election day
- November 6, 1984
- District map
- Older district map (1984 to 1991)
Wisconsin Assembly District 65, 1972 to 2024, 1984, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share DemocraticJohn M. AntaramianWon(incumbent) Democratic 15,688100.0% Scattered write-ins Write-in 30.0% - Votes for listed candidates
- 13,377
- Election day
- November 2, 1982
- District map
- Older district map (1982 to 1983)
Wisconsin Assembly District 65, 1972 to 2024, 1982, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share RepublicanJoanne B. HuelsmanWon Republican 6,79650.8% DemocraticRichard Congdon Democratic 6,37747.7% IndependentRobert Flood Independent 2041.5% - Votes for listed candidates
- 19,914
- Election day
- November 4, 1980
- District map
- Older district map (1972 to 1981)
Wisconsin Assembly District 65, 1972 to 2024, 1980, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share DemocraticEugene DorffWon(incumbent) Democratic 11,73959.0% RepublicanNorman C. Guttormsen Republican 8,17541.0% - Votes for listed candidates
- 9,027
- Election day
- November 7, 1978
- District map
- Older district map (1972 to 1981)
Wisconsin Assembly District 65, 1972 to 2024, 1978, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share DemocraticEugene DorffWon(incumbent) Democratic 9,027100.0% - Votes for listed candidates
- 14,995
- Election day
- November 2, 1976
- District map
- Older district map (1972 to 1981)
Wisconsin Assembly District 65, 1972 to 2024, 1976, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share DemocraticEugene DorffWon(incumbent) Democratic 14,994100.0% Scattered write-ins Write-in 10.0% - Votes for listed candidates
- 10,063
- Election day
- November 4, 1974
- District map
- Older district map (1972 to 1981)
Wisconsin Assembly District 65, 1972 to 2024, 1974, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share DemocraticEugene DorffWon(incumbent) Democratic 7,19771.5% RepublicanBradley J. McCrorey Republican 2,86628.5% - Votes for listed candidates
- 16,153
- Election day
- November 7, 1972
- District map
- Older district map (1972 to 1981)
Wisconsin Assembly District 65, 1972 to 2024, 1972, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share DemocraticEugene DorffWon(incumbent) Democratic 10,80866.9% RepublicanArnold J. Esser Republican 5,34533.1%
- 2024: MEDSL 2024 official precinct returns (individual_states zips), retrieved Oct 28, 2026. Compiled by MIT Election Data and Science Lab (MEDSL) from official returns; not an official source
- 1972 to 2022: State Legislative Election Returns, 1967-2022 (Carl Klarner, Harvard Dataverse), retrieved Oct 28, 2026. Compiled by Carl Klarner (Harvard Dataverse) from official returns; not an official source
Last contest in this district on file: 2024.
Download and cite
Cite this page
Election Wrld. (2026). Wisconsin Assembly District 65, election results 1972 to 2024. https://www.electionwrld.com/wi/assembly/65. Retrieved October 31, 2026.
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Sources
Sources: Census TIGERweb Legislative MapServer (120th CDs layer 0, 119th CDs layer 4, 2026 SLD upper layer 1 and lower layer 2) (US Census Bureau, public domain), retrieved Oct 28, 2026; Open Civic Data division identifiers (census_autogenerated us_sldl/us_sldu and openstates state files); also (sld-recent.json): Open Civic Data division identifiers (country-us) (CC0 (repository); also (sld-recent.json): CC0 1.0), retrieved Oct 28, 2026; Open States people (current) CSVs (CC0-1.0 (Open States people data)), retrieved Oct 28, 2026, compiled by Open States volunteers and staff (rosters from state legislature sites) from official returns, not an official source; MEDSL 2024 official precinct returns (individual_states zips) (Not stated in the GitHub repository (an earlier label said "MIT (repo)", which the repository does not support). MEDSL's Harvard Dataverse records are CC0 1.0, but these GitHub files were not checksum-matched to the Dataverse files, so CC0 is not claimed for them.), retrieved Oct 28, 2026, compiled by MIT Election Data and Science Lab (MEDSL) from official returns, not an official source; State Legislative Election Returns, 1967-2022 (Carl Klarner, Harvard Dataverse) (CC0 1.0), retrieved Oct 28, 2026, compiled by Carl Klarner (Harvard Dataverse) from official returns, not an official source.
District id: ocd-division/country:us/state:wi/sldl:65
DataState data (JSON)Sources: State Legislative Election Returns, 1967-2022 (Carl Klarner, Harvard Dataverse), MEDSL 2024 official precinct returnsData as of Oct 28, 2026