Assembly District 21: Bukiewicz vs. Pfaffenbach

Assembly District 21 is an open-seat contest covering Oak Creek and the south wards of Milwaukee. Democrat Dan Bukiewicz is facing Republican Dylan Pfaffenbach for the seat being vacated by Rep. Jessie Rodriguez.

There is an important new development for Wisconsin cannabis reform advocates: Dan Bukiewicz has been identified by A Better Wisconsin Together as a supporter of the Democrats’ AB 1061 marijuana legalization legislation.

That is worth paying attention to.

Bukiewicz and AB 1061: More Than Just Decriminalization

A Better Wisconsin Together lists Bukiewicz by name on its Fighting for Us page, under its agenda to enact the sensible legalization and taxation of marijuana.

The legislation associated with that agenda, AB 1061, was a comprehensive cannabis reform proposal. It included:

• Legalizing adult-use cannabis possession and establishing a regulated marketplace.
• Creating a medical cannabis program.
• Expunging or adjusting certain past marijuana-related convictions.
• Regulating cannabis production, processing, transportation, testing and sales.
• Addressing intoxicating hemp products, including a low-dose hemp product category.

This is a much broader reform package than simply reducing penalties for possession. It addresses the future of the cannabis industry, medical access and the existing hemp-derived cannabinoid marketplace.

There is an important distinction: A Better Wisconsin Together publicly identifies Bukiewicz with this legislative agenda, but we have not yet heard a detailed, direct explanation from Bukiewicz himself about each part of AB 1061.

Still, this gives voters something substantive to ask him about — and gives reform advocates a reason to continue the conversation.

Who Is Dan Bukiewicz?

Bukiewicz is a Milwaukee native, union leader and longtime Oak Creek public official. He has served as Oak Creek mayor since 2017 and is president of the Milwaukee Building & Construction Trades Council.

He won the August Democratic primary against David Liners with approximately 59% of the vote. The contest drew 6,732 total votes, with Bukiewicz receiving 3,956.

His background in organized labor is relevant to the cannabis discussion. Union involvement and working-family economic issues are part of the broader political conversation around legalization, including jobs, workplace protections and the development of a regulated industry.

I have not found a documented history of Oak Creek taking up local cannabis decriminalization initiatives, so I would not attribute a municipal reform record to Bukiewicz without further evidence.

What About Dylan Pfaffenbach?

Republican Dylan Pfaffenbach is Bukiewicz’s opponent in November. WCIC has reached out to the campaign and provided candidate resources, but we still need clear answers about his positions on hemp regulation and cannabis reform.

The questions should be the same for both candidates: Will they support sensible hemp regulation? Medical cannabis? Decriminalization? Adult-use legalization?

Wisconsin voters should be able to compare their answers rather than make assumptions based on party affiliation.

The Bottom Line for Cannabis Reform Advocates

Bukiewicz’s inclusion on A Better Wisconsin Together’s AB 1061 advocacy page is an important piece of information. It connects him to a comprehensive reform agenda that includes adult-use legalization, medical cannabis, criminal-record relief and provisions for the hemp-derived cannabinoid market.

That is a more substantive indication of potential support than simply hearing that a candidate is open to discussing legalization.

But there is still more to learn. I would like to hear Bukiewicz explain his position directly, particularly on protecting Wisconsin’s existing hemp businesses and building a regulatory system that works for small businesses and consumers.

If you live in Assembly District 21, contact the campaigns. Ask about AB 1061, hemp, cannabis and marijuana reform. Candidates need to hear that these issues matter to their constituents.

Follow the discussion and help us get answers:

WCIC — Assembly District 21: Competitive Race, Oak Creek and South Wards of Milwaukee

Candidate resources:

• Dan Bukiewicz Campaign Facebook Page
• Dylan Pfaffenbach Campaign Facebook Page

The next representative from AD 21 will have an opportunity to help shape Wisconsin’s cannabis policy. Bukiewicz’s connection to AB 1061 makes this a conversation worth pursuing — now let’s hear directly from the candidates.

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/