Dear Friends,

Another election has come and gone with some major changes for Wisconsin. While Democrats captured the Governor's mansion, Republicans still control both the State Senate and the State Assembly.

While I wish some of the results were different, I'm very encouraged that so many people participated in the recent election. If you don't vote, you voice isn't heard. Millions of voters made sure their voice was heard and that's good for our state.

I look forward to working with Governor-elect Tony Evers. I'm hoping we can find common ground to keep growing our economy, continue to build an environment to create family-supporting jobs, and lower the tax burden.

After the election, Republicans announced our leadership team for the upcoming legislative session. Senator Scott Fitzgerald of Juneau will continue to serve as Majority Leader, Roger Roth of Appleton was re-elected as Senate President, Senator Dan Feyen of Fond du Lac will be our new Assistant Majority Leader, Senator Van Wanggaard of Racine will be the Senate Majority Caucus Chair, Senator Patrick Testin of Stevens Point will be the Assistant Senate Majority Caucus Chair, and Howard Marklein of Spring Green will be Senate President Pro Tempore. We have a great team working for you in Madison!

As always, if you have any concerns or ideas on how to improve our great state, please do not hesitate to contact me by phone at 608-266-5830 or by email at Sen.Darling@legis.wi.gov .

On, Wisconsin!
Veterans Day is Sunday
Thank you to all the brave men and women who have protected our freedom! 
Darling to Co-Chair Budget-Writing Committee
I am happy to report that I will return as the Senate Co-Chair of the budget-writing Joint Committee on Finance. This week, State Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau) announced he was appointing me for the next legislative session beginning in January.

Senator Fitzgerald had some very kind words about my appointment:

“Alberta has done a fantastic job presiding over the Joint Finance Committee. Her leadership and principled approach have left Wisconsin on a sound financial footing with each budget she has been involved in," Fitzgerald said, "I am proud to appoint her again and look forward to working with her."

Thank you Senator Fitzgerald!

I'm honored to have served in this role since 2011. In fact, I'm have co-chaired this committee longer than any other woman lawmaker. I'm also very proud of the work we did in the last state budget. Republicans delivered the largest real-dollar investment in K-12 education in state history. Taxpayers saw more than $11 billion in relief and the elimination of the state portion of their property tax bill. 

My goal remains the same; protect taxpayers and build on the economic success Wisconsin is experiencing. I will not back from our principles. I’m looking forward to working with my colleagues and the new governor to build on the remarkable turnaround our state has experienced since 2010.
Thank You, Governor Walker!
I want to take a moment to thank Governor Scott Walker for his leadership over the years for our state. Not only is Scott a great governor, I'm proud to count he and his wife Tonette as friends.

When my husband Bill passed away, Scott took the time to reach out to me and give me support during that difficult time. That's a part of him people didn't see, but it's one the many ways he is a remarkable man. I will miss him and wish him the best as he moves on to the next great chapter of his life.

Thank you, Scott!

I also want to thank Lieutenant Governor Rebecca Kleefisch and all of the Governor's cabinet members and staff. We had a great team in the East Wing of the Capitol. I know great things are ahead for all of them.
Thank You Leah Vukmir
I also want to thank State Senator Leah Vukmir for her dedication to Wisconsin. I will miss her friendship and leadership in the State Senate. Good luck and God Bless, Leah!
Get the Facts
  • Wisconsin ranks second in the nation and best in the Midwest for manufacturing jobs created over the past year.
  • Wisconsin ranks number one in the Midwest for Health Care Access and Patient Safety.
  • Wisconsin's unemployment rate remained at 3% or below for seven consecutive months.
  • Over the last three months, Wisconsin added more manufacturing jobs than any other state.
  • Business Insider ranked Wisconsin's economy as the 10th best in the nation.
  • Fifty of Wisconsin's 72 counties met or broke their all-time low unemployment rates in May.
  • CNBC ranks Wisconsin as the 17th best state in the nation for business.
  • All 12 of the state's metro areas and all our 32 largest cities have seen a year-over-year drop in unemployment. 
  • The number of people employed in Wisconsin is at an all-time high of 3,090,200, and the unemployment rate is at all-time low at 2.8% for May.
  • Construction wages in Wisconsin are up 7.5% from 2016-2017.
Around the 8th...
Do you know a remarkable young person who is interested in government? 

The Senate Scholar program is a week-long program, where students get to see first-hand how the State Senate operates. Only 33 students are picked for the program and applications are due by November 21st. You can read more about the program here.