AD 53: Nichols, Daniels and Dowling in highly competitive race
Neenah, Menasha and Fox Crossing have a three-way Assembly race worth watching for Wisconsin’s hemp and cannabis industry. Democrat Becky Nichols, Independent Rachael Dowling and Republican David Daniels are all described as supporting a hemp-first approach. Nichols and Dowling are also aligned with broader cannabis legalization, while Daniels is newer to the issue and still developing his public record.
That makes this race an interesting one for an industry that has spent years asking candidates to look beyond prohibition and understand the farmers, retailers, consumers and small businesses affected by Wisconsin’s cannabis policies.
Rachael Dowling: Independent with an established record of engagement
Rachael Dowling entered this race as an independent candidate and Winnebago County Board supervisor. She has been one of the candidates most visibly engaged with hemp and cannabis reform during this campaign.
In earlier discussions, I reported that Dowling and Nichols both supported a local decriminalization initiative, according to the person who brought that proposal forward. Dowling has also been actively discussing the issue with the industry and has expressed support for moving Wisconsin toward broader reform.
Running outside the two major parties gives Dowling a different political path, but her position on hemp and cannabis is an important part of what she is bringing to this race. Her campaign has emphasized practical government and a willingness to work with people across political lines.
Becky Nichols: Democrat supporting broader reform
Democrat Becky Nichols brings local government experience from her years on the Menasha Common Council and Winnebago County Board. Her campaign has focused on schools, working families and responsive local representation.
On cannabis policy, Nichols is not simply approaching the issue as a hemp-regulation question. She has been identified as supporting decriminalization and broader legalization efforts. That puts her in alignment with the position that Wisconsin needs to move beyond a narrow debate over individual hemp products and establish a comprehensive legal framework.
For the hemp and cannabis industry, the distinction matters: protecting the existing legal hemp marketplace is an immediate concern, but it does not resolve the larger problem of Wisconsin continuing to prohibit adult-use cannabis.
David Daniels: A new Republican voice on the issue
Republican David Daniels came into this campaign without a lengthy public record on hemp or cannabis policy. That initially left the industry with questions about where he would stand.
Our first meeting with Daniels took place at a retail dispensary in Menasha. The conversation was initially somewhat guarded, but it developed into a productive discussion about the Wisconsin hemp and cannabis industry and the policy challenges facing legal THC businesses.
Daniels strongly indicated that he would support reform measures intended to protect Wisconsin’s legal THC businesses from federal and state interference. He also received our candidate resources, and the conversation left us with the impression that there was not much disagreement over the basic concepts of what a good regulatory bill should look like.
That is worth reporting, particularly for a Republican candidate who is new to the issue. It is also important to be precise: this was a positive first meeting and an indication of support for reform concepts, not yet a legislative voting record. The next step is seeing how Daniels translates that conversation into specific positions and, if elected, action in Madison.
A hemp-first starting point, with legalization still on the table
One thing that makes AD 53 different from many other Wisconsin Assembly races is that all three candidates are being described as supporting a hemp-first approach. The immediate priority is protecting the existing legal hemp marketplace and the Wisconsin businesses, farmers and consumers who depend on it.
But the candidates are not identical on the broader question. Nichols and Dowling are also aligned with legalization, while Daniels’s public position is still taking shape through conversations with the industry.
The distinction is worth following. Wisconsin needs a solution that protects lawful hemp businesses from federal and state interference, but the longer-term debate over decriminalization, medical cannabis and adult-use legalization remains unresolved.
A competitive district with three candidates
AD 53 includes Neenah, Menasha, Fox Crossing and part of southern Appleton. The district is currently open, with Republican Dean Kaufert not seeking reelection. Kaufert won his 2024 race by only 365 votes, a margin that illustrates how closely contested this seat has been.
With three candidates on the ballot, voters have distinct choices in party affiliation, governing experience and approach to cannabis policy. The independent candidacy adds another dimension to a race that is already drawing attention from both major parties.
A Little Third Party History: Rich Martin’s 2012 Libertarian Run
There is some history behind third-party candidates and cannabis reform in this part of the Fox Valley. Back in 2012, our own Rich Martin of The Wisconsin Cannabis Activist Network, made a run for the Wisconsin Assembly as a Libertarian after Republican Rep. Dean Kaufert reportedly told him to go pound sand and run against him if he didn’t like his position on cannabis. Rich took him up on the challenge.
Martin went on to receive more than 1,000 votes in the former 55th Assembly District, which included Neenah and portions of Menasha. You can find his historical candidate information through Ballotpedia.
Of course, Wisconsin’s legislative maps have changed considerably since 2012. Rachael Dowling is not Rich Martin, and she is running as an Independent rather than a Libertarian. But the historical comparison is still worth considering. In a closely contested three-way race, 1,000 votes for an independent candidate could potentially change which major-party candidate comes out ahead. The question is not simply whether Dowling can attract independent voters, but whether she draws support from voters who might otherwise have backed either the Republican or Democratic candidate.
Martin’s campaign showed that cannabis reform could motivate a third-party challenge in this area more than a decade ago. Dowling’s 2026 campaign brings that independent voice back into the conversation, this time in a newly drawn district and with all three candidates described as supporting a hemp-first approach.
For Wisconsin’s hemp and cannabis community, this is a race where direct engagement with all three candidates has produced useful information. Nichols and Dowling have expressed support for broader reform, and Daniels has indicated an openness to protecting the legal THC industry after meeting with us.
The next Legislature will face decisions that could affect the future of Wisconsin’s hemp marketplace and the larger cannabis debate. AD 53 is a reminder that these conversations are no longer confined to one party or one corner of the state. The industry has a reason to keep all three candidates accountable to the positions they have communicated.
Stay tuned
I will continue to provide you additional 2026 Wisconsin State Election coverage throughout the campaign season. This next election is extremely important for cannabis reform and I will continue to bring you information as more candidates make their political moves.
In the event that we end up with divided government in the 2027-28 legislation session, the official formation of The Wisconsin Cannabis Caucus would be a must first step towards reform. The official establishment of this Caucus will represent the growing, bipartisan support in Wisconsin.
Although session has ended for 2025-26 we still urge you to contact your elected officials, as they technically can continue to work, hold committee hearings and potentially vote on any issue that is deemed to be a great priority to Wisconsinites. The top action alerts are still functionable on The Wisconsin Cannabis Activist Action Network for you immediate use.
A huge thank you once again to all my Election Coverage Sponsors, please support them if you can. One easy way to find them all and where they are throughout our great state of Wisconsin is to use The Stoner’s Travel Guide to Wisconsin website map and tag system, here you go, check them all out: https://thestonerstravelguide.com/places/tags/2026-election-coverage-sponsor/
