Madison alder Dina Nina Martinez-Rutherford running for Assembly in the 76th District

MADISON, Wis. (WMDX) – A Madison alder is running to become Wisconsin’s first openly trans member of the Legislature. 

State Rep. Francesca Hong (D – Madison) announced Wednesday that she’s running for governor. Hong represents Wisconsin’s 76th district, which is entirely within the boundaries of Dane County. That leaves her seat open. 

Now, Dina Nina Martinez-Rutherford is running for the seat. In 2023, Martinez-Rutherford became Madison’s first trans woman on the Common Council. 

If she wins the 76th district, she’d be the first trans person elected to the State Legislature. 

“I keep looking at the impact of being the first trans alder, and how queer people, and families who have queer siblings, or children, or friends, are feeling more comfortable because they can see a way forward,” she said in an interview with Civic Media before publicly announcing her candidacy. 

Her platform includes affordable housing as a human right, and public policy lifting people out of poverty. 

Earlier this year, Martinez-Rutherford suspended her campaign for reelection, saying she wanted to focus on finding affordable housing, and her own health. But it was too late to take her name off the ballot. Voters reelected her anyway. 

She knows what kind of work goes into holding public office. She said she carefully considered whether to take on a bigger role, but knows so many people outside the political system are just as burnt out. 

“I think all of us are exhausted,” she said. “Most Americans are exhausted with this fight against each other, with this taking over of our rights. And further marginalizing people who can barely get a hand up.” 

This kicks off a year of campaigning. The election is in Nov. 2026. If more than two candidates from the same party run, there would be a primary in August. So far, Martinez-Rutherford is the only candidate who’s running for the seat.