JoCasta ZamarripaCandidate

JoCasta Zamarripa

Secretary of StateDemocrat

WI-Statewide Secretary of State

Age 49·Mexican-American·Milwaukee Common Council District 8 Alderperson (2020-present)

Why This Race Matters

JoCasta Zamarripa is running against Collin McNamara (D); Lorenzo Southall (D); Pete Karas (Green).

Open-seat race after incumbent Sarah Godlewski announced she is running for Lieutenant Governor instead. If elected, Zamarripa would become the first Latina to hold statewide office in Wisconsin. The Secretary of State sits on the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands, which manages over $1.3 billion in public trust funds for school libraries.

Three-way Democratic primary on August 11, 2026 against Collin McNamara (Stevens Point) and Lorenzo Southall. Green Party candidate Pete Karas also running. Zamarripa endorsed by U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin and the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund. Won 2024 Common Council reelection with 63.6% of the vote. Has 18+ current and former state legislator endorsements.

Key dates to watch: Primary on August 11, 2026 and General Election on November 3, 2026.

About

JoCasta Zamarripa is a Milwaukee Common Council Alderperson and former five-term State Representative running for Wisconsin Secretary of State. Born and raised on Milwaukee's near south side, she was the first in her family to graduate from college. In 2010, she made history as the first Latina elected to the Wisconsin State Legislature. In 2020, she became the first Latina and first openly bisexual member of the Milwaukee Common Council. If elected Secretary of State, she would be the first Latina to hold statewide office in Wisconsin.

Family & Heritage

Raised by a single mother as the oldest of four children on Milwaukee's south side. Her grandmother, Alicia, was a migrant farmworker from Eagle Pass, Texas, who moved her family to Wisconsin seeking better economic opportunities. First in her family to graduate from college.

Political Career

Before Politics

Educator and community outreach coordinator for Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin; Community organizer at Southside Organizing Committee; Organizer for Fair Wisconsin (LGBTQ+ advocacy); Board member, Equality Wisconsin; Board member, 9 to 5 National Association of Working Women

Education

BFA, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 2005; St. Joan Antida High School

Key Issues & Priorities

*Protecting Wisconsin's $1.3 billion public lands trust fund for school libraries
*Affordable housing and renter protections
*Childcare investment as essential infrastructure
*Fully funding public schools without relying on referenda
*Economic relief for working families
*Small business licensing reform

Endorsements

U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin
U.S. Representative Mark Pocan
LGBTQ+ Victory Fund
State Senators Tim Carpenter
Jodi Habush Sinykin
Mark Spreitzer
State Representatives Clinton Anderson
Margaret Arney
Ben DeSmidt
Steve Doyle
Alex Joers
Tara Johnson
Karen Kirsch
Priscilla Prado
Christine Sinicki
Ryan Spaude
Lisa Subeck
Former State Representatives Peter Barca
Chris Danou
Evan Goyke
Gordon Hintz
Andy Jorgensen
Nick Milroy
Daniel Riemer
Amanda Stuck

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