Voters in Wisconsin’s 51st Assembly District are preparing for a decisive November 3 election that could tip the balance of power in the State Assembly. The district, which historically votes Democratic for president, has repeatedly re‑elected Republican Rep. Todd Novak, who is now running for a sixth term. His challenger, Democrat Ben Gruber, a conservation warden from Arena, is making his first bid for office.
Candidate backgrounds
Rep. Todd Novak first won the seat in 2014 after serving 12 years as mayor of Dodgeville and as editor of the Dodgeville Chronicle. He describes his governing style as centrist, saying, “I have my own brand… I’m kind of hard to put in a box. 25% very Republican, 25% very Democrat and the rest are in the middle… that’s pretty much where I try to govern.” Novak’s name recognition and long‑standing ties to the community give him a solid base.
Ben Gruber, the Democratic nominee, grew up in Arena and has worked as a firefighter, EMT, police officer, and now as a state conservation warden. He emphasizes his community roots over party affiliation, stating, “I just have never identified as a political party. I’m running as a Democrat… I identify with my neighbors in our community, not as a political party.” Gruber’s first‑time candidacy is built on personal experience with local issues, especially education and transportation.
Key issues: schools and affordability
Both candidates agree that school funding is the top concern for voters. Novak wants to overhaul the current funding formula and reduce the declining‑enrollment cushion that has left districts like Dodgeville short‑changed after losing 161 students over the past decade. He supported a recent budget that added $604 per pupil, totaling $7.5 million for districts, but warns that inflationary pressures from the Doyle era may force future referendums.
Gruber proposes indexing school funding to inflation at a minimum and keeping voucher dollars within rural towns. He points to the 2018 closure of Arena Community Elementary, which forced his daughter to endure a 90‑minute bus ride, and the subsequent loss of Arena’s village police department as examples of the real‑world impact of funding decisions. “Day one is public school funding. Day two is shared revenue,” Gruber said.
Local perspectives
Residents are split. Melvin Lipska, a Dodgeville voter who usually supports Democratic candidates, praised Novak’s long‑term service but said affordability remains the biggest issue. James Kostohrys, an Army veteran from Darlington, said he will vote for Gruber because the candidate “speaks to me” on issues like high gas prices, unharvested crops, and rising property taxes.
Bob Page, a longtime Dodgeville resident, noted that Novak has been a fixture in local politics and that Gruber presents a strong challenge, making the decision “hard for everyone locally.” Lafayette County also faces a nursing‑home referendum, which Novak expects will boost turnout comparable to a presidential election.
Election logistics
Polling places across the state will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day. The race is one of a handful of true toss‑ups that could decide which party controls the 99‑member Assembly. Republicans currently hold a 54‑45 edge; Democrats need to flip five seats to claim the majority.
While the Republican Party of Iowa County declined to comment, the district’s split‑ticket voting pattern—supporting Democrats for president but Republicans for state office—underscores the importance of local issues over national partisan cues.
What’s at stake
If Novak retains his seat, the GOP maintains its current advantage, allowing the party to continue its agenda on fiscal responsibility and limited government. A Gruber victory would signal a shift toward increased education funding and could energize Democratic efforts to gain control of the Assembly.
Voters are urged to consider how each candidate’s approach to school funding, local infrastructure, and affordability will affect their daily lives. The outcome will shape the legislative direction of Wisconsin for the next two years.
Original reporting: NBC15 WMTV (Gray) – local — read the source article.
