The selections, made by their respective caucuses, come after Democrats won midterm elections that ended 16 years of Republican control of the Legislature. Neubauer, first elected in a January 2018 special election, has led Assembly Democrats since 2021 and will now preside over a 53-member caucus. She succeeds Republican Robin Vos, who held the speaker's post for 13 years.

Hesselbein, elected to the Senate in 2022, took charge of Senate Democrats in December 2023 when the caucus had just 11 members. She will now lead an 18-member majority.

"It, of course, is a historic moment, and we hope to use our positions to make life better for women, for families, and for people across the state," Neubauer said.

At a press conference, Neubauer struck a personal note. "I do not take this responsibility lightly. At this moment, I am thinking about my own 5-month-old daughter and every child here in Wisconsin, and what the future holds for them," she said. "Our responsibility is to do right for them. That will take a tremendous amount of work, but we are up for it."

Hesselbein, speaking before the Senate Democratic caucus vote, said the party has been preparing for this moment. "We know the assignment. We've been working towards this for years, and we are going to get it done," she said.

Senate Democrats also elected Sen. Mark Spreitzer (D-Beloit) as Senate president. Spreitzer outlined priorities including placing guardrails on data centers, lowering the cost of everyday essentials, making healthcare and medications more affordable, fully funding schools, restoring the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program, and reining in artificial intelligence.

"After years of Republican inaction, there is so much that we must get done for the people of Wisconsin," Spreitzer said in a statement.

Neubauer said Democrats plan to meet over the coming months to finalize their agenda. She mentioned free school meals, investing in public schools, and regulating prescription drug costs as bills under consideration, but said the caucus still needs to decide what comes first. "We have a lot that's ready to go," she said.

She also emphasized restoring collective bargaining rights and addressing the school funding formula. "We need to be thoughtful about how we approach these pretty challenging issues," Neubauer said. "We want to invest in schools in a serious way that sets them on a different trajectory and stops the endless cycle of referendum."

Hesselbein, asked about marijuana legalization, the National Popular Vote Compact, and artificial intelligence, said her caucus needs open discussions first. Senate Democrats will meet through November and December, she said. "I understand everyone has a sense of urgency, but just for the first time today, we welcomed three new senators-elect to our caucus," Hesselbein said. "We really want to bring those voices from those districts that really didn't have any good representation in this building until this moment."

Gov.-elect David Crowley and Lt. Gov.-elect Sarah Godlewski spoke to lawmakers in closed caucus meetings Tuesday. Crowley has expressed interest in a blue ribbon commission to examine the state's tax system, including school funding and Act 10. Hesselbein said she would need to speak with Crowley about that proposal.

Republicans, meanwhile, are preparing for minority status. Assembly Republicans elected Rep. Tyler August (R-Walworth) as minority leader. Sen. Julian Bradley (R-New Berlin) was elected Senate minority leader, becoming the first Black person to hold that position and only the second Black Republican in the Senate.

"I was born in the minority, so it's a little bit easier for me," Bradley said. "While being in the minority is new, representing the people that hired us to do this job is not, and we're going to come here to Madison. We're going to fight tooth and nail every day when there's areas to work together like on tax cuts and affordability, putting money back in people's pockets."

Bradley said he did not expect the new Democratic leadership to be "punitive or vindictive," but he criticized Crowley on redistricting. "It's going to be really difficult to take him at his word when he's already flip-flopped on something as big as mid-cycle redistricting," Bradley said. He also vowed to oppose the National Popular Vote Compact, calling it "absolutely absurd and ridiculous."

Hesselbein said Democrats will not shut Republicans out of the process. "I assured him that we will hear Republican bills. My door has always been open for the best ideas going forward," she said. "I think people are really sick of the terrible stuff... and they just want some sense of normalcy in our state of Wisconsin."

Outgoing Sen. Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green), who lost his reelection bid to Sen.-elect Jenna Jacobson (D-Oregon), presided over one of the final meetings of the Joint Finance Committee under his leadership. The committee approved a $124,000 transition budget for Crowley, covering staff, equipment, travel, and legal support. Marklein noted Democrats will now decide how to use the state's $3 billion budget surplus. "It's a big responsibility," he said. "It's great to have the majority. Now, you have to have the government. That's not always easy."

Crowley and lawmakers will be sworn in on Jan. 4, 2027.

Other Senate Democratic leaders elected Tuesday include Sen. Kristin Dassler-Alfheim (D-Appleton) as assistant majority leader, Sen. Dora Drake (D-Milwaukee) as president pro tempore, Sen. Melissa Ratcliff (D-Cottage Grove) as caucus chair, and Sen. Jeff Smith (D-Brunswick) as vice caucus chair.

Assembly Democratic leaders include Rep. Lisa Subeck (D-Madison) as speaker pro tempore, Rep. Kalan Haywood (D-Milwaukee) as majority leader, Rep. Mike Bare (D-Verona) as assistant majority leader, Rep. Clinton Anderson (D-Beloit) as caucus chair, Rep. Karen DeSanto (D-Baraboo) as caucus vice-chair, Rep. Ann Roe (D-Janesville) as caucus secretary, and Rep. Margaret Arney (D-Wauwatosa) as caucus sergeant-at-arms.

Assembly Republican leaders include Rep. Nate Gustafson (R-Ormo) as assistant minority leader, Rep. Mark Born (R-Beaver Dam) as caucus chair, Rep. Joy Goeben (R-Hobart) as caucus vice-chair, Rep. Barbara Dittrich (R-Oconomowoc) as caucus secretary, and Rep. Will Penterman (R-Hustisford) as caucus sergeant-at-arms.