Todd Novak (Rep.), 51st Assembly District
Born April 23, 1965; 2 children. Graduate Iowa-Grant H.S. 1983; attended Southwest Technical College 1983-85. Former government/associate newspaper editor 1990-2014. Member: Wis. League of Municipalities; NRA; Wis. Farm Bureau. Former member: Iowa Co. Humane Soc. (founding mbr., treas.); Wis. Newspaper Assn.; National Newspaper Assn. Southwest Regional Planning Comn. 2012-present. Mayor of Dodgeville 2012-present.
Elected to Assembly 2014. Biennial committee assignments: 2015 — Agriculture (vice chp.); Criminal Justice and Public Safety; Mental Health Reform; Mining and Rural Development; Urban and Local Affairs; Ways and Means.
Telephone: Office: (608) 266-7502; (888) 534-0051 (toll free);
District: (608) 574-0100.
E-mail: Rep.Novak@legis.wisconsin.gov
Voting address: 202 West Division Street, Dodgeville 53533.
Mailing address: Office: Room 304 North, State Capitol, P.O. Box 8953, Madison 53708.
Photos
Content referencing Todd Novak
Could Democrats Sweep Wisconsin Legislature?
Republicans were expected to hold Assembly, but top analyst calls it ‘a tossup.’
Feb 23rd, 2026 by Bruce Murphy
Assembly GOP Reverses Course on Health Care Bills
After years of resistance, Republicans back plan to expand Medicaid access and lower barriers for breast cancer screenings.
Feb 19th, 2026 by Anya van Wagtendonk
Wisconsin’s State Legislative Races Heating Up
Democrats have more cash in Senate races, Republicans far more in Assembly contests.
Feb 4th, 2026 by Baylor Spears
Bill Would Allow Wisconsin Youth Offenders To Appeal Life Sentences
More than 100 people would be eligible.
Dec 4th, 2025 by Frank Zufall
It’s Butter Vs Margarine. Again
140 years after original ban on 'oleo,' legislators propose limits on its use.
Nov 27th, 2025 by Annie Pulley
Despite Attempts, Report Finds Wisconsin Isn’t Doing Enough To Curtail Nitrate Pollution
Farms likely overapplied 16 million pounds of nitrogen in fertilizer in 2022, says new report.
Sep 26th, 2025 by Danielle Kaeding
Mayor Touts Changes To Address Water Street Violence
Mobile booking facility, drones and more.
Aug 8th, 2025 by Jeramey Jannene
Senate Bill Aims to Prevent Delays in Releasing Public Records
Backed by open records supporters. But will Vos, state Assembly consider bill?
Jul 7th, 2025 by Sarah Lehr
Milwaukee Asks Again for Red Light Cameras To Nab Speeders
New legislative bill limits where cameras can be placed, how proceeds are spent.
Jun 9th, 2025 by Jeramey Jannene
Legislature’s Budget Committee Unanimously Boosts Clean Water Funding By $732 Million
Wisconsin communities are expected to submit applications for $1.6 billion worth of projects.
Jun 6th, 2025 by Danielle Kaeding
Bill Would Crack Down on Predatory Practices By Pharmacy Benefit Managers
Independent pharmacies back GOP-led bill, while insurers and WMC previously opposed effort.
Mar 6th, 2025 by Hope Kirwan
GOP Lawmakers Propose School Water Filters to Address PFAS, Lead
Schools would also need to develop sampling and testing process.
Feb 14th, 2025 by Danielle Kaeding
State Superintendent Candidate Defends Lack of Education Licenses
Brittany Kinser lacks Wisconsin’s teachers license and current school administrator license.
Feb 7th, 2025 by Anya van Wagtendonk
Underly Defends Changing Standards While GOP Lawmakers Propose Reversion
'Confusing at best and misleading at worst,' say lawmakers about DPI changing benchmarks.
Jan 24th, 2025 by Baylor Spears
Women Lead Democratic Gains in Legislature
Wisconsin voters rejected Kamala Harris but back many other women for office.
Nov 11th, 2024 by Steven Walters
Without Gerrymander, Democrats Flip 14 Legislative Seats
The Democratic gains in a strong Republican year set up a chance for them to win majorities in 2026.
Nov 8th, 2024 by Jack Kelly, Hallie Claflin and Matthew DeFour
Republicans Retain Majority in Wisconsin Assembly
Democrats make some gains under new competitive political maps drawn by Gov. Evers.
Nov 6th, 2024 by Shawn Johnson
Democrats Target Rep. Novak in New District
Remapped Assembly district is 55% Democrat. But incumbent Republican is running hard.
Sep 30th, 2024 by Steven Walters
Republicans End Mask Mandate, Evers Puts It Back In Place
Governor issues new health order after Republicans end his prior one.
Feb 4th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
Non-Profit Didn’t Report Campaign Spending?
Jobs First Coalition spent $1 million to elect Republican legislators but left it off tax forms, complaint to IRS says.
Sep 8th, 2020 by Erik Gunn
Will Senate Act on Assembly-Passed Bills?
160 bills passed by Assembly haven’t gotten consideration by state Senate.
Apr 27th, 2020 by Steven Walters
Bipartisan Water Quality Bills Pass
Though, they do not make it through the sharply divide legislature without some disagreement.
Feb 20th, 2020 by Isiah Holmes
Bipartisan Group of Lawmakers Push $10M Clean Water Fund
Trust fund would support clean water projects, though a cash source for the fund remains uncertain.
Jan 31st, 2020 by Danielle Kaeding
Clean Water Becomes Hot Political Issue
Gov. Evers and legislators in both parties call for action. Will they work together?
Jan 13th, 2020 by Steven Walters
Legislators Unveil $10 Million Clean Water Plan
Package of 13 proposals. Evers likely to support the approach.
Jan 9th, 2020 by Laurel White
Evers, Governors Push Congress on PFAS
15 governors call for tougher standards, more protections on PFAS chemicals.
Sep 20th, 2019 by Melanie Conklin and Susan J. Demas
Gerrymandering Bill is Bipartisan
Three Republican legislators are co-sponsers of bill calling for nonpartisan redistricting.
Jul 12th, 2019 by Laurel White
Did Legislators Work Too Fast?
Apparently had no time to address issues like drunk driving and water pollution.
Jun 30th, 2019 by Gregory Humphrey
Electric Scooters Could Return This Year
Bill working its way through state Legislature to legalize electric scooters.
May 8th, 2019 by Jeramey Jannene
Legislature Works Overnight To Curb Evers Power
Limits on early voting, constraints on Evers campaign promise on health care.
Dec 5th, 2018 by Shawn Johnson and Laurel White
Assembly Approves Rollback of Wetlands Protection
Bill backed by WMC, Kochs, could destroy 1 million acres of wetlands.
Feb 19th, 2018 by Wisconsin Democracy Campaign
GOP Legislators Push Harsher Bail Rules
State constitutional amendment opposed by defense lawyers, supported by City of Milwaukee.
Feb 1st, 2018 by Gretchen Schuldt
GOP Legislative Districts Heavily White
Republican assembly districts are up to 96% white, senate districts as high as 95% white.
Jan 15th, 2018 by Wisconsin Democracy Campaign
Bill Suppresses Victim’s Mental Health Records
Defendant couldn’t request, jury couldn’t see records unless victim allows it.
Dec 19th, 2017 by Gretchen Schuldt
Mega-Donors’ Offshore Cash Backed Walker
Paradise Papers show billionaire’s off-shore tax havens donated to Gov. Walker.
Nov 9th, 2017 by Wisconsin Democracy Campaign
Bill Lets Some Criminal Records Be Expunged
Rep. Goyke’s bill gets bipartisan support, allows retroactive expungement of youthful convictions.
Sep 6th, 2017 by Gretchen Schuldt
Democrats Still Need a Clear Message
Yes, GOP gerrymandering matters. But they also have stronger candidates and message.
Jun 26th, 2017 by Steven Walters
Big Agriculture Rewards Legislators
Industry wants high capacity wells, gives $220,000 to key committee members.
Mar 15th, 2017 by Matt Rothschild
How Legislature Rigged the Game
2015 campaign finance law gives more power to wealthy and corporations.
Mar 6th, 2017 by Steven Walters
$28 Million Spent on 2016 Legislative Races
A new record, 66% more than 2014, huge special interest spending.
Mar 3rd, 2017 by Matt Rothschild
Special Interests Spend $9 Million on Legislative Races
Led by Greater Wisconsin Committee, Democratic-leaning groups spent more, 53% of money.
Nov 23rd, 2016 by Matt Rothschild
Record Elections Spending by Special Interests
$7.8 million spent so far, with more by Democratic-leaning groups.
Nov 2nd, 2016 by Matt Rothschild
“To Not Only Survive, But Thrive!”
The mass shooting in Orlando was a tragic reminder of the need for LGBT equality.
Jun 27th, 2016 by JoCasta Zamarripa
Stories From the State Capitol
Six vignettes tell the story of how the Senate passed the Right-to-Work bill.
Mar 2nd, 2015 by Steven Walters
The Long Arms of Scott Jensen
Former Assembly Speaker, now a school choice lobbyist, targeted six Democrats with negative ads that never mentioned the issue.
Dec 3rd, 2014 by Bill Lueders
