US Gay Republican Todd Novak Seeks Reelection to Wisconsin Assembly

In the US state of Wisconsin, openly gay Republican Todd Novak will seek reelection on November 3, 2026, to the Assembly, the lower chamber of the state Legislature. Wisconsin Public Radio (WPR), in an October 19 roundup, identifies his 51st District as one of the key contests for control of the chamber.

Republicans have held an Assembly majority since 2011. They enter the election with 54 seats to Democrats’ 45. All 99 seats are up for election; Democrats need a net gain of five to win a majority, taking into account any losses in districts they currently hold.

Novak was first elected in 2014 and has served in the chamber since 2015. He became Wisconsin’s first openly gay Republican state legislator. As Wisconsin Watch notes, his district voted for both him and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris in 2024.

In his WPR interview, Novak described himself as a moderate and emphasized that he helps constituents from both parties. He highlighted funding for roads and local projects, along with support for making the Office of School Safety permanent, as achievements of his work. His campaign website also stresses cooperation with local governments.

His Democratic challenger, Ben Gruber, is a conservation warden in state parks. He proposes revising the school funding formula and increasing transfers to local governments, arguing that current funding falls short of communities’ needs. Nathan Tataje is also running for the American Solidarity Party.

According to the roll call published by Bill Sponsor, on March 20, 2025, Novak voted for AB 104, a bill to ban gender-transition medical interventions for people under 18, with specified exceptions. Democratic Gov. Tony Evers vetoed the bill on March 31, 2026, opposing restrictions on transgender children. The bill did not become law.

Uránia previously covered Wisconsin Republican US Rep. Derrick Van Orden’s remarks about a gay candidate’s chances of becoming president.