Polling Average
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16%
8%
7%
7%
Wisconsin Democratic Governor nominee?
$2.2M
AUG 12, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current rolePolitical organizer
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyProgressive Democrat
Age45 years old (Feb 3, 1981)
GenderMale
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LocationWisconsin
BackgroundPolitical organizer
EducationHarvard University (B.A., Economics)
Notable personal detailsBenjamin McDonald Wikler is an American political organizer who served as chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin from 2019 to 2025. He has worked in progressive advocacy and online organizing, including as a senior adviser at MoveOn and an executive vice president at Change.org. He was raised in Madison, Wisconsin, and is a Harvard University graduate.
SourcesShowHide
en.wikipedia.orgwisdems.orgwikidata.orgbenwikler.comnotus.orgspectrumnews1.comsalon.comeverything.explained.todaythenation.comwisconsinexaminer.comwpr.orgwtmj.comapnews.comaxios.comdemocrats.orgurbanmilwaukee.comwispolitics.comnonprofitquarterly.orgtmj4.comsecure.avaaz.orghillheat.newsadvancetitan.comtheguardian.comwisn.comweau.comleadershipnowproject.orgwashingtonpost.comabcnews.go.comcaptimes.comnewrepublic.comrollingstone.comthehill.comdailykos.compolitico.comchannel3000.comisthmus.compbs.orgsemafor.cominstagram.comfacebook.comhistory.house.govdemocrats.senate.govhouse.govjayapal.house.govsenate.govfec.govclerk.house.govgovinfo.govcommerce.senate.govdocquery.fec.govcdn.ballotpedia.org
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Supports policies that shift tax burdens toward wealthy individuals and corporations while lowering costs for working- and middle-class families, and backs Democratic proposals to expand social programs and investments (e.g., Build Back Better). Criticizes Republican tax-cut plans as benefiting the wealthy and advocates making billionaires pay a fairer share to fund public services.
Healthcare
Supports protecting and strengthening the Affordable Care Act and health-care protections for people with pre-existing conditions; prioritizes expanding access to quality, affordable care and opposing efforts to roll back coverage. Emphasizes making health care a central Democratic issue in campaigns and defending COVID-era public-health responses.
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Immigration & Border
Has advocated for expanding refugee admissions and increased federal funding for refugee resettlement and has organized advocacy in favor of admitting more Syrian refugees. Public record shows work leading MoveOn campaigns supporting refugee resettlement and urging greater humanitarian response, with no prominent record of supporting expanded enforcement or restrictionist border measures.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Supports protecting and expanding abortion access and opposes restrictive abortion bans. Describes abortion as health care, calls for congressional action to protect abortion access, and has urged repeal or blocking of Wisconsin’s 1849 abortion ban and other restrictive laws.
Climate & Energy
The candidate has a history of active climate campaigning and has supported rapid transitions to clean energy, including organizing for 100% clean energy goals and public climate advocacy. Past roles include climate campaign work with Avaaz and public statements emphasizing urgent action on climate and building Democratic capacity to enact progressive policy.
Public Safety & Guns
Supports expanded background checks and 'red flag' (extreme risk) laws and advocates for common-sense gun safety legislation while acknowledging respect for lawful gun ownership. Has publicly criticized the NRA and called for laws to keep firearms out of the hands of people deemed a danger to themselves or others.
Polls
Wisconsin Democratic Governor nominee?
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
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