Greta Neubauer

Greta Neubauer is an American politician affiliated with the Democratic Party, currently serving as a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly representing the 66th Assembly district. Born on September 13, 1991, in Racine, Wisconsin, she has been an active figure in state politics since her election in 2018. Neubauer has held various leadership roles, including her current position as the minority leader of the Assembly, a role she has occupied since January 2022.

Early life and career

Greta Neubauer was raised in Racine, Wisconsin, where she completed her high school education at The Prairie School, graduating in 2010. During her high school years, she demonstrated an early interest in political activism by helping to organize a student group that supported Barack Obama during the 2008 presidential campaign. This involvement in political matters laid the groundwork for her future career in public service.

Following her high school graduation, Neubauer attended Middlebury College in Vermont, where she earned a degree in history. Her academic pursuits were complemented by her commitment to environmental issues, which she pursued as the director of the Fossil Fuel Divestment Student Network, an organization that later evolved into the Sunrise Movement. This role allowed her to engage with pressing environmental concerns and advocate for sustainable practices among educational institutions.

Neubauer's political career began to take shape in 2017 when she worked as a legislative aide for Cory Mason, who was then a state representative. Her previous experience as an intern in Mason's office provided her with valuable insights into the legislative process. During her tenure as an aide, Neubauer was involved in significant discussions regarding the state budget and the controversial $2.85 billion incentive package aimed at attracting Foxconn to Racine County. This experience not only deepened her understanding of legislative dynamics but also connected her to key issues affecting her community.

The political landscape shifted for Neubauer following the election of Donald Trump in 2016, which she cited as a catalyst for her return to electoral politics. In November 2017, after Mason announced his resignation to become the mayor of Racine, Neubauer declared her candidacy for the 66th Assembly district. She faced a competitive primary against John Tate II, a first-term alderman, where both candidates emphasized the importance of the Foxconn project and its potential benefits for Racine residents. Neubauer's campaign was marked by her willingness to diverge from her former boss's position on the project, which helped her secure the Democratic nomination.

Neubauer won the primary election in December 2017 and subsequently ran unopposed in the special election, officially taking her oath of office on January 27, 2018. Her swearing-in ceremony was notable for its public nature, held at the Racine Public Library and officiated by a Wisconsin Supreme Court justice. Shortly before her inauguration, Neubauer gained national attention when her portrait was featured in a collage on the cover of TIME magazine, which highlighted the rise of first-time female candidates in the wake of the 2016 election.

Legislative service

Since her election, Neubauer has quickly advanced within the Democratic caucus in the Wisconsin State Assembly. She was appointed to the Governor's Task Force on Climate Change in the fall of 2019, reflecting her commitment to environmental issues. After winning a second full term in 2020, she secured a position on the Joint Finance Committee, which plays a crucial role in shaping the state budget. This committee's work was particularly significant during a time when Wisconsin was receiving substantial federal funds from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.

In December 2021, following the announcement that the then-minority leader Gordon Hintz would step down, Neubauer expressed her interest in the leadership position. She formally declared her candidacy for minority leader and was elected to the role on December 20, 2021, without facing opposition from her colleagues. At the age of 30, Neubauer became the youngest caucus leader in Wisconsin's history since John W. Byrnes held a similar position in 1943. Her election was notable not only for her age but also for the fact that she was joined in leadership by Kalan Haywood, who was 22 at the time, making their team the youngest legislative leadership duo in the state's history.

As minority leader, Neubauer faced significant challenges during the 2023–2024 legislative session. The Democratic Party had been in the minority in both the Assembly and the Senate since the implementation of gerrymandered maps in 2011. However, the 2022 redistricting process, overseen by the Wisconsin Supreme Court, resulted in an even more pronounced Republican majority. Following the 2022 elections, Republicans gained a supermajority in the Senate and came close to achieving the same in the Assembly, raising concerns about the potential for overriding the governor's vetoes.

In her leadership role, Neubauer prioritized the protection of the governor's vetoes, which involved unifying her caucus against any attempts to override these vetoes. This required careful coordination of schedules and attendance to ensure that Democratic members were present for critical votes. Throughout the regular legislative session, Neubauer and her caucus successfully defended the governor's vetoes, remaining vigilant against any extraordinary sessions that might be called in the later months of the term.

Policy focus and district

Neubauer represents Wisconsin's 66th Assembly district, which encompasses parts of Racine. The district has undergone significant changes due to redistricting, particularly in 2024, when the boundaries were reconfigured. Previously, the district included most of Racine, making it heavily Democratic. However, the new map has divided Racine between two districts, creating a more competitive political landscape while still leaning Democratic.

Neubauer's policy focus reflects her background in environmental advocacy and her commitment to progressive values. Her involvement in the Governor's Task Force on Climate Change underscores her dedication to addressing environmental issues at the state level. Additionally, her work on the Joint Finance Committee indicates her engagement with fiscal matters and the allocation of state resources, particularly in light of federal funding opportunities.

As a legislator, Neubauer has navigated a complex political environment marked by partisan divisions and changing demographics within her district. Her leadership as minority leader has been characterized by efforts to maintain party unity and effectively respond to the challenges posed by a Republican supermajority. Through her legislative service, Neubauer continues to advocate for the interests of her constituents while addressing broader issues affecting the state of Wisconsin.