2024 Wisconsin State Legislature Voter Guide: Assembly District 65

This is part of The Recombobulation Area and Civic Media’s 2024 Wisconsin State Legislature Voter Guide. Read the first part of the series, “New Board, New Game,” here. See the full district-by-district breakdown of the Wisconsin State Senate here. See the comprehensive Voter Guide here.

D: Ben DeSmidt

R: Brian Gonzales

This is an open seat in the Kenosha area, following the pending retirement of Democrat Todd Ohnstad. 

Democrat Ben DeSmidt won the primary election over Kyle Flood, gaining nearly 70% of the vote. DeSmidt is the owner of Union Park Tavern and Pavle’s Lounge in Kenosha, and is a former teacher at Carthage College. He also serves on the Gateway Technical College Board of Trustees. This is his first time running for elected office.

He’s running against Albert Brian Gonzales, a political newcomer who is a former police officer in Kenosha. Gonzales is the police officer who shot and killed Michael Bell Jr. in 2004, a controversial case that led to changes in the way fatal police shootings are investigated in Wisconsin. Gonzales was the subject of a $1.75 million wrongful death settlement. 

CNalysis: Very Likely D

• Proj. margin: D+15

Modeled 2022 outcome: D+11.9