Ismael Luna

Ismael Luna (Democratic Party) is running for election to the Wisconsin State Assembly to represent District 8. Luna is on the ballot in the general election on November 3, 2026. Luna advanced from the Democratic primary on August 11, 2026.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I grew up on Milwaukee's South Side, the son of a working-class immigrant family. I was homeless at 14 and started working to help support my family. Today I work as a case manager at a homeless shelter, helping women find stable housing. I went from being homeless to helping house people for a living, and that experience shapes everything about how I approach policy.

I am a proud graduate of Milwaukee Public Schools, a first-generation college graduate with a bachelor's in political science and a master's in public policy. I became a first-time homeowner at 21. I previously served as Vice Chair of RISE Drug Free MKE, working on substance use prevention and recovery, and I have been involved in community organizing since my days as a student at Riverside High School.

I am running for the State Assembly because District 8 deserves a representative who has lived the struggles of this community and will fight for it every single day. I am a neighbor, an advocate, and someone who will never forget where I come from.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

I have lived the issues I will fight for. I was homeless at 14 and now help women find stable housing for a living. I know what it means to navigate systems that were not built for people like us. That perspective is missing in Madison, and it matters for how you write policy. I am not a career politician. I am a neighbor who understands the daily struggles of working families because I have lived them.I will fight to lower the cost of living for working families. Housing, healthcare, and everyday expenses are stretching families in District 8 to the breaking point. I will work to expand affordable housing, redevelop the boarded-up homes on our blocks, expand BadgerCare and support a public option, and bring down prescription drug and utility costs. Every family deserves the chance to thrive, not just survive.I will protect and invest in our community. That means keeping ICE out of Milwaukee and standing up for immigrant families, fully funding our schools, building real public safety through prevention rather than punishment, and investing in the small businesses and local jobs that keep the South Side strong. District 8 has been told to wait for too long. I am done waiting, and I will deliver.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am most passionate about housing, healthcare, and immigrant rights, because these are the issues that have shaped my life. Housing is personal to me. I was unhoused as a teenager and now work to help others find stable homes. Healthcare is personal too. I live with a pre-existing condition and know what it means to worry about coverage. And as the son of immigrants, I am committed to protecting immigrant families and making sure no one lives in fear. I am also deeply committed to fully funding our schools, mental health and substance use services, and building safer communities through investment and prevention.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I look up to the everyday people in my community who give back without recognition. The volunteers, the organizers, the neighbors who show up for each other. My parents taught me that if you are able to make it, you turn around and help the next person, and that value guides everything I do. I am also inspired by leaders like Alderwoman JoCasta Zamarripa, who broke barriers as the first Latina in the Wisconsin Legislature and showed that representation matters.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

The most important quality in an elected official is staying grounded in the community you represent. Too many politicians lose touch with the people who sent them to office. I believe in showing up, listening, and being accountable to constituents between elections, not just during them. Integrity, humility, and a genuine commitment to working people matter more than titles or ambition. An elected official should never forget who they work for.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

The core responsibility of a state legislator is to fight for the needs of the people in their district while contributing to the wellbeing of the whole state. That means writing and supporting good policy, securing resources for the community, and being accessible and responsive to constituents. It also means having the courage to stand up for what is right, even when it is difficult, and building coalitions to get things done.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I want to leave a District 8 that is stronger, healthier, and more affordable than the one I grew up in. I want young people to know they can build a future here. I want our elders to age with dignity. I want immigrant families to live without fear and working families to thrive, not just survive. More than any single policy, I want to leave behind a community that feels seen, heard, and fought for.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

The biggest struggle in my life was experiencing homelessness at 14. I came out as gay and lost my housing, and I did not know where I would sleep or how I would eat. I started working to survive and to help support my family. That experience was painful, but it shaped who I am. It taught me resilience, empathy, and a deep understanding of what families in crisis go through. It is also why I have dedicated my career and my campaign to housing and economic security.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Compromise is often necessary to get things done, especially for a community like District 8 that cannot afford gridlock. Effective legislators build strong working relationships, including with their own caucus, to move legislation forward and deliver for the people they represent. I believe in finding common ground where it serves my constituents. But compromise should never mean abandoning your core values or selling out working families. There is a difference between principled compromise that moves us forward and caving to pressure that causes harm. I will know the difference.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Citizen Action of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Laborers District Council (LiUNA), SEIU Wisconsin, Wisconsin Progress, Wisconsin Conservation Voters, Run for Something, LGBTQ+ Victory Fund, State Representative Priscilla Prado, State Representative Angelina Cruz, State Representative Vinnie Miresse, State Representative Angelito Tenorio, State Representative Christine Sinicki, Alderwoman JoCasta Zamarripa, Alderman Peter Burgelis, County Supervisor Justin Bielinski