Secretary of State of Wisconsin · Election November 3, 2026 · Updated
Who should I vote for in the Wisconsin secretary of state race?
No candidate in the Wisconsin secretary of state race has enough public record yet for a Ballot Standard score, as of October 9, 2026. Pete Karas (6 of 15 criteria), Jay Schroeder (6 of 15 criteria) and JoCasta Zamarripa (6 of 15 criteria) have too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.
Wisconsin Green
Pete Karas
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 6 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 56
- Performance
- NR
Republican
Jay Schroeder
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 6 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 63
- Performance
- NR
Democratic
JoCasta Zamarripa
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 6 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 69
- Performance
- NR
The good, the bad and the unresolved
The record
The notable facts of each candidate's public life, each tied to a source and confirmed to be this person. Unresolved matters are labeled with where they stand and do not move a score.
Pete Karas
- Credit2003 to 2009
Served on the Racine City Council after election as a Green Party candidate.
Source: Wisconsin Watch, Sept. 28, 2026
Jay Schroeder
- On the record2021
As a candidate, issued a press release calling for Wisconsin's 2020 presidential electors to be rescinded; in 2026 he said the issue was in the past.
Source: Wisconsin Watch, Sept. 28, 2026
JoCasta Zamarripa
- Credit2010
Became the first Latina elected to the Wisconsin Legislature; reelected to the Assembly four times.
Source: Urban Milwaukee, Sept. 4, 2025
Who they are
Character
Integrity
Tells the truth, keeps their word, and takes no private gain from public office.
Pete Karas. No public record found.
Jay Schroeder. No public record found.
JoCasta Zamarripa. No public record found.
Courage
Takes a stand that costs them something, including telling their own side no.
Pete Karas. No public record found.
Jay Schroeder. No public record found.
JoCasta Zamarripa. No public record found.
Accountability
Owns mistakes, answers hard questions, and works in the open.
Pete Karas. No public record found.
Jay Schroeder. No public record found.
JoCasta Zamarripa. No public record found.
Temperament and judgment
Steady under pressure, decides on evidence, and treats opponents and staff with respect.
Pete Karas. Served on the Racine City Council from 2003 to 2009. No formal conduct finding found.
Source: Wisconsin Watch, Sept. 28, 2026
Jay Schroeder. Served two terms on the Menomonie City Council and one term on the Town of Menasha board. No formal conduct finding found.
JoCasta Zamarripa. Served in the Wisconsin Assembly from 2011 to 2021 and on the Milwaukee Common Council since 2020. No formal conduct finding found.
Fidelity to the oath
Uses power inside its limits: accepts certified results, obeys court rulings, follows the rules of the office.
Pete Karas. Held sworn office as a Racine alder from 2003 to 2009 with no official finding of misuse of office.
Source: Wisconsin Watch, Sept. 28, 2026
Jay Schroeder. Held sworn local offices with no official finding of misuse. As a 2021 candidate he issued a press release calling for Wisconsin's 2020 presidential electors to be rescinded; that was not an official act (E2) and is in the Record.
Sources: Wisconsin Watch 2026 voter guide, Jay Schroeder, Wisconsin Watch, Sept. 28, 2026
JoCasta Zamarripa. Has held sworn office as a state representative and Milwaukee alder since 2011 with no official finding of misuse of office.
What they bring
Qualifications
Relevant experience
Has done work that prepares them for this specific office.
Pete Karas. Prior elected office on the Racine City Council (2003 to 2009) and a career as a small business owner.
Jay Schroeder. Prior elected local office (Menomonie City Council, Town of Menasha board) and a career as a real estate and stock market investor.
JoCasta Zamarripa. Elected to the Assembly in 2010 and reelected four times, then elected to the Milwaukee Common Council in 2020 and reelected in 2024 (E9: two or more legislative terms).
Source: Urban Milwaukee, Sept. 4, 2025
Command of the job
Knows the issues and knows what the office can and cannot do.
Pete Karas. Proposes digitizing records, giving the office management of the Capitol and barring data centers on board-managed public lands; several ideas would need new law.
Source: Wisconsin Watch, Sept. 28, 2026
Jay Schroeder. His central plans, abolishing the Elections Commission and moving election administration to the secretary of state, would require action by the Legislature and governor; his positions are stated in general terms.
Source: Wisconsin Watch, Sept. 28, 2026
JoCasta Zamarripa. Describes the office's actual duties, including chairing the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands; her platform is stated in general terms.
Communication
Explains plainly, persuades, and listens.
Pete Karas. Completed Ballotpedia's 2026 survey and the Wisconsin Watch questionnaire.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Pete Karas, Wisconsin Watch 2026 voter guide, Pete Karas
Jay Schroeder. Answered the Wisconsin Watch 2026 questionnaire and publishes a campaign site. Has not completed Ballotpedia's 2026 survey.
Sources: Wisconsin Watch 2026 voter guide, Jay Schroeder, Campaign site, home page, Ballotpedia, Jay Schroeder
JoCasta Zamarripa. Completed Ballotpedia's 2026 survey and the Wisconsin Watch questionnaire and publishes a platform page.
Sources: Ballotpedia, JoCasta Zamarripa, Wisconsin Watch 2026 voter guide, JoCasta Zamarripa, Campaign site, home page
Roots in the constituency
Lives there, knows the people, and is funded by them.
Pete Karas. Lives in Muskego.
Jay Schroeder. Born and raised in Clintonville and lives in Fox Crossing. In-state donor share not available from state filings.
Sources: Campaign site, home page, Wisconsin Watch 2026 voter guide, Jay Schroeder
JoCasta Zamarripa. Born and raised in Milwaukee, which she has represented in the Assembly and on the Common Council since 2011. In-state donor share not available from state filings.
Sources: Campaign site, home page, Wisconsin Watch 2026 voter guide, JoCasta Zamarripa
Management
Can build and run an organization.
Pete Karas. No public record found.
Jay Schroeder. No public record found.
JoCasta Zamarripa. No public record found.
What they deliver
Performance
Results
Turns ideas into outcomes.
Pete Karas. No public record found.
Jay Schroeder. No public record found.
JoCasta Zamarripa. No public record found.
Showing up
Does the basic work of the job.
Pete Karas. No public record found.
Jay Schroeder. No public record found.
JoCasta Zamarripa. No public record found.
Constituent service
Solves problems for the people they represent.
Pete Karas. No public record found.
Jay Schroeder. No public record found.
JoCasta Zamarripa. No public record found.
Coalition building
Wins support beyond their own faction.
Pete Karas. No public record found.
Jay Schroeder. No public record found.
JoCasta Zamarripa. No public record found.
Stewardship of public money
Treats tax dollars as someone else's money.
Pete Karas. No public record found.
Jay Schroeder. No public record found.
JoCasta Zamarripa. No public record found.
How to read this
Each criterion is scored 0 to 4 against the written rubric in the Ballot Standard. NR means no record: there is no reliable public evidence either way, so the criterion is left out and never counts against the candidate. A total is published when at least 8 of 15 criteria have evidence.
A sitting officeholder has a longer public record than a first-time candidate, so the two totals rest on different amounts of evidence. Read the count of criteria beside each score. Low marks require an official finding or a primary record. Allegations and opinion are not used.
No policy position is scored. Evidence checked October 9, 2026. Campaigns and readers can send a correction with a public source to tpg@thepoliticalgroup.com.
Questions
Who should I vote for in the Wisconsin secretary of state race?
No candidate in the Wisconsin secretary of state race has enough public record yet for a Ballot Standard score, as of October 9, 2026. Pete Karas (6 of 15 criteria), Jay Schroeder (6 of 15 criteria) and JoCasta Zamarripa (6 of 15 criteria) have too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.
Who is running in the Wisconsin secretary of state race in 2026?
Pete Karas (Wisconsin Green), Jay Schroeder (Republican), JoCasta Zamarripa (Democratic). The general election is November 3, 2026.
Is Pete Karas a good candidate for Secretary of State?
Pete Karas has public evidence on 6 of the 15 Ballot Standard criteria, short of the 8 needed for a score. The evidence that exists is shown on the scorecard. No record never counts against a candidate.
Is Jay Schroeder a good candidate for Secretary of State?
Jay Schroeder has public evidence on 6 of the 15 Ballot Standard criteria, short of the 8 needed for a score. The evidence that exists is shown on the scorecard. No record never counts against a candidate.
Is JoCasta Zamarripa a good candidate for Secretary of State?
JoCasta Zamarripa has public evidence on 6 of the 15 Ballot Standard criteria, short of the 8 needed for a score. The evidence that exists is shown on the scorecard. No record never counts against a candidate.
How is the strongest record decided?
The candidate with the highest Ballot Standard score has the strongest record. Each of 15 criteria on character, qualifications and performance is scored 0 to 4 from public records and established reporting, the same way for every party. No policy position is scored, and unresolved accusations never move a score.
More on this race: every Wisconsin race scored, and the Wisconsin 2026 election guide. Independent scorecard by The Political Group, not affiliated with any candidate or party.