Wisconsin Assembly District 53
2026 VOTER & CANDIDATE GUIDE
Distrcit 53 Overview
The November 3, 2026 General Election will determine who represents Wisconsin's 53rd Assembly District in the Wisconsin State Assembly. Whether you're looking for information about the candidates, an upcoming candidate forum, voter registration, polling locations, or ways to get involved, I've put the information together here in one place.
My name is Rachael Dowling, and I'm running as an Independent candidate for Wisconsin State Assembly District 53.
I'm currently a Winnebago County Board Supervisor, multi-small business owner, wife, and mom of four from Menasha.
This page isn't just about my campaign, though. I want District 53 residents to have an easy place to find the information they need to participate in this election.
Who Is Running for Wisconsin Assembly District 53?
There are three candidates running for Wisconsin State Assembly District 53 in the November 3, 2026 General Election:
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David Daniels, Republican
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Rachael Dowling, Independent
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Rebecca Nichols, Democrat
Incumbent Representative Dean Kaufert is not seeking reelection.
I obviously hope you'll take the time to learn more about why I'm running and what I stand for, but I also encourage you to research all three candidates before casting your vote.
I am running for the WI Assembly District 53 because problems don't get solved by talking louder. Problems get solved by doing the work.
What Communities Are in Wisconsin Assembly District 53?
Wisconsin Assembly District 53 includes the City of Menasha, portions of Neenah, portions of Fox Crossing, the Town of Neenah, and portions of Appleton.
Because legislative boundaries don't always follow municipal boundaries, the easiest way to determine whether you live in Assembly District 53 is to check your voter information through Wisconsin's official MyVote website.
Wisconsin Assembly District 53 Candidate Forum
Want to hear directly from the candidates?
The League of Women Voters of Winnebago County is hosting an Assembly District 53 Candidate Forum:
Thursday, September 10, 2026
6:30 PM
Neenah City Hall / City of Neenah Council Chambers
Candidates for Assembly District 53 have been invited to participate and answer questions from the public. Candidates will address questions submitted by the audience or emailed to: wclwvinfo@gmail.com
I will be there, and I'd love to see a packed room.
Candidate forums are one of the best opportunities to hear candidates answer the same questions, in the same room, without campaign advertisements or carefully edited social media videos doing the talking for us.
Come listen. Ask questions. And decide for yourself who you believe will best represent our community.
What Are the Main Issues in the District 53 Election?
One of the biggest issues I'm hearing about right now is data centers.
Residents have a lot of questions about what large-scale data center development could mean for our communities. They're concerned about Wisconsin's water and natural resources, enormous electricity demands, potential impacts on utility costs, noise, and the tax exemptions being offered to qualifying data centers.
I share many of those concerns.
I'm not anti-technology. I'm actually an FAA-certified drone pilot, and I believe technology and innovation are important to Wisconsin's future. But there's a big difference between supporting technology and giving giant corporations a blank check to build whatever they want without asking who ultimately pays the price.
My position is pretty simple: Yes to innovation. No to cutting corners.
If a massive data center wants to build in Wisconsin, I believe we should be asking serious questions before approving it. How much electricity will it require? Who pays for the new infrastructure necessary to provide that power? What are the impacts on our water and environment? How will noise affect neighboring properties? What tax exemptions or incentives are being provided, and what does the community actually receive in return?
Those aren't anti-business questions.
They're responsible-government questions.
Affordability is another major issue throughout District 53. Residents continue to talk with me about property taxes, housing costs, utility bills, fuel, groceries, and the everyday cost of raising a family. Housing availability also comes up frequently, particularly how land-constrained communities like Menasha, Neenah, and Fox Crossing can create more housing choices while using the land we already have responsibly.
Government transparency continues to be important to me as well. Whether we're talking about data centers, surveillance technology, development, taxes, or state spending, I believe residents deserve to know what their government is doing, how decisions are being made, and who ultimately benefits from those decisions.
You don't have to agree with me on every issue. I don't expect you to.
But I will tell you where I stand, explain why, listen when you disagree... and keep asking questions.
How Do I Register to Vote in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin residents can check their voter registration, register to vote, request an absentee ballot, and find other election information through MyVote Wisconsin.
For the November 3, 2026 General Election, Wisconsin allows several methods of voter registration, including online registration for eligible voters, registration through your municipal clerk, and registration at your polling place on Election Day.
Because election deadlines and individual circumstances can vary, I recommend using the State of Wisconsin's official MyVote website rather than relying on campaign information for your registration status.
Where Do I Vote in Wisconsin Assembly District 53?
Your polling location depends on your home address and municipality.
Instead of guessing based on a district map, enter your address into Wisconsin's official MyVote system to find your current polling location.
Polls for the November 3 General Election are open from 7:00 AM until 8:00 PM.
Where Can I Learn More About the District 53 Candidates?
There are several ways to research the candidates before Election Day.
The League of Women Voters provides nonpartisan candidate information through VOTE411, and local news organizations may publish candidate interviews, questionnaires, and election coverage as November approaches.
You can also visit each candidate's campaign website and social media pages.
Most importantly, look beyond the letter next to someone's name.
Read what they've written. Watch how they answer difficult questions. Look at their experience. Ask them questions directly.
Then make your own decision.
What Does a Wisconsin State Assembly Representative Do?
Wisconsin has a bicameral state legislature consisting of the State Assembly and State Senate. Assembly representatives introduce, debate, amend, and vote on legislation affecting people throughout Wisconsin.
But I believe there's another part of the job that's just as important: representing the people who live in your district.
That means listening to residents, helping constituents navigate state government, attending community meetings, asking questions, communicating what is happening in Madison, and making yourself accessible to the people you're supposed to represent.
I've said this throughout my campaign:
I answer to my community, not a party.
How Can I Contact Rachael Dowling?
Call me. Text me.
Seriously.
One of the reasons I originally ran for local office was because I couldn't reach my own representative. I made a simple promise when I ran: if you call me, I'll answer.
That hasn't changed.
Whether you support me, disagree with me, have a question about an issue, or simply want to tell me what's happening in your neighborhood, you're welcome to reach out.
You can also follow my campaign online for Community Conversations, policy discussions, campaign events, and updates from around District 53.
How Can I Volunteer for Dowling for Assembly?
There are several ways to help, and you don't need political campaign experience.
Volunteers can help knock doors, deliver campaign materials, distribute yard signs, attend community events, or simply introduce the campaign to their neighbors.
Even an hour helps.
This is a grassroots campaign, and I'd much rather have neighbors talking to neighbors than build a campaign around political insiders.
How Can I Support or Donate to Dowling for Assembly?
There are plenty of ways to support this campaign that don't involve money.
Put up a yard sign. Share a video. Invite me to your neighborhood. Tell a friend about the campaign. Volunteer for an afternoon. Come to a Community Conversation.
For residents who do want to financially support the campaign, donation information is available directly through the campaign website.
Every small contribution helps a grassroots campaign pay for signs, printed materials, events, and the basic costs of reaching voters throughout District 53.
How Do I Learn More About an Independent Candidate?
Being Independent doesn't mean I automatically agree or disagree with Republicans or Democrats.
It means I don't answer to either party. I answer to you.
There will be issues where I agree with Republicans. There will be issues where I agree with Democrats. And there will probably be times when I think they're both wrong.
That's the autonomy I want to bring to Madison.
I don't expect voters to choose me simply because I'm Independent any more than I think someone should choose another candidate simply because there's an R or D next to their name.
I am running for the WI Assembly District 53 because problems don't get solved by talking louder. Problems get solved by doing the work.
When Is The 2026 Election Day?
The 2026 General Election is Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
Between now and then, I'll continue knocking on doors, holding Community Conversations, attending candidate events, and talking with residents throughout Assembly District 53.
If you see me out in your neighborhood... come say hello.
And if there's something you think I should know about our community, tell me.
That's what this campaign is supposed to be about.