Navigate the Wisconsin State Capitol with Capital Arc in Madison
Map decision-makers, hire the right local lobbyists, and coordinate your advocacy strategy in Madison. Capital Arc provides regulated industries with a centralized, non-partisan platform to manage government relations across Wisconsin.
$10M
Deployed on state and federal engagements as the client
State + Federal
Vetoes, proposed bans, extensions, negotiated legislation
Multi-firm
Lobbyists, firms and pollsters hired, managed and measured
Selective
Engagements accepted only where there is a credible path to impact
Wisconsin — the landscape you're in
What's actually moving in Madison.
Operating in Wisconsin requires navigating a dynamic political environment often characterized by a divided government. With a Democratic governor and a Republican-controlled legislature, advancing or defending policy in Madison demands a nuanced, bipartisan approach. Regulated businesses must engage not only with lawmakers in the Wisconsin State Capitol but also with powerful state agencies like the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection and the Department of Natural Resources. Furthermore, all advocacy efforts must strictly adhere to the lobbying regulations enforced by the Wisconsin Ethics Commission. Success in this landscape depends on accurate intelligence, strategic alignment, and the ability to build consensus across party lines.
Governor
Tony Evers
Key legislative leaders
- Robin Vos — Assembly Speaker
- Mary Felzkowski — Senate President
- Devin LeMahieu — Senate Majority Leader
- Tyler August — Assembly Majority Leader
- Greta Neubauer — Assembly Minority Leader
- Dianne H. Hesselbein — Senate Minority Leader
Why Capital Arc in Madison
Access mapped to the offices that decide.
Capital Arc is the ideal partner for businesses facing regulatory or legislative challenges in Wisconsin. Rather than relying on a single firm's limited network, our platform helps you map the exact decision-makers relevant to your issue and assemble a purpose-built team of Madison's most effective lobbyists. We focus on capability and access, ensuring your advocates have the right relationships in both the Assembly and the Senate, as well as within the executive branch. Our non-partisan methodology ensures your strategy remains resilient regardless of election cycles. By centralizing your government relations efforts, Capital Arc provides full visibility into your advocacy campaigns, allowing you to track progress, manage resources, and measure impact in real time.
Map the decision
Every official in Wisconsin with jurisdiction over the matter.
Staff the engagement
The right people for this specific Wisconsin matter. The client holds the contracts; the firm coordinates.
Report every week
Structured reporting from everyone on the engagement, consolidated into one briefing.
Industries we serve in Wisconsin
Built for the industries Wisconsin actually runs on.
Wisconsin's economy is deeply rooted in manufacturing, agriculture, and dairy production, while rapidly expanding into biohealth, water technology, and advanced manufacturing. These key industries frequently face complex policy fights regarding environmental regulations, labor standards, supply chain logistics, and tax policy. For example, the agricultural and manufacturing sectors must constantly navigate water usage rights and emissions standards overseen by state agencies. Meanwhile, the growing biohealth and technology sectors are actively shaping policies around data privacy, healthcare funding, and workforce development. Effective advocacy ensures these industries can innovate and grow while remaining compliant with evolving state laws.
Access at the capitol
Relationships where the votes are.
Building access at the Wisconsin State Capitol requires a consistent, physical presence in Madison and a deep understanding of the committee process. The Wisconsin State Legislature operates on a biennial session, making early engagement crucial for shaping bills before they reach the floor. Effective lobbyists build relationships not just with leadership, but with committee chairs and non-partisan legislative staff who draft the statutory language. Access is also built through formal channels, such as testifying at committee hearings and submitting detailed policy briefs. Because lobbying activities are closely monitored and reported semi-annually to the Wisconsin Ethics Commission, transparency and compliance are foundational to maintaining credibility with lawmakers.
Frequently asked questions
How do I hire a lobbyist in Madison, Wisconsin?
Hiring a lobbyist in Madison starts with identifying the specific legislative or regulatory issue you face. Capital Arc helps you map the relevant decision-makers and matches you with registered lobbyists who have proven access to those specific committees and agencies.
What are the lobbying registration requirements in Wisconsin?
Lobbyists and their principals must register with the Wisconsin Ethics Commission before engaging in lobbying activities. Detailed reports of time, expenses, and specific legislative proposals lobbied must be filed every six months.
How can my business stop a harmful bill in the Wisconsin Legislature?
Stopping a bill requires early detection and coordinated action before it leaves committee. Capital Arc helps you assemble a team to engage committee chairs, present data-driven arguments, and build coalitions to halt or amend unfavorable legislation.
How do state agencies impact business regulations in Wisconsin?
State agencies like the Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection have significant rulemaking authority. Effective government relations in Wisconsin requires engaging these agencies during the administrative drafting process, not just lobbying the legislature.
Why is a non-partisan lobbying strategy important in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin frequently operates under a divided government, meaning bills often require bipartisan support to pass the legislature and avoid a gubernatorial veto. A non-partisan approach ensures your business can build consensus across the aisle and maintain influence regardless of which party holds power.
More markets in Wisconsin
Work With Us
Tell us what you are up against in Wisconsin.
A short application tells the firm the industry, the offices involved in Madison and Wisconsin, who is already engaged and what is at stake. If there is a credible path to impact and no conflict, the next step is a strategy call. If there is not, the firm will say so.
Capital Arc is non-partisan. References to public officials in Wisconsin are informational and do not constitute endorsements.