21st century American politician
David Benjamin "Ben" DeSmidt is an American educator, small business owner, and Democratic politician from Kenosha, Wisconsin . He is a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly , representing Wisconsin's 65th Assembly district since 2025 .
Biography
Born in Wisconsin, DeSmidt earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Chicago , and obtained his M.A. , M.Phil. , and Ph.D. from Columbia University in New York.[ 1]
Ben DeSmidt is associate professor emeritus of classics and great ideas at Carthage College , and has been a trustee of Gateway Technical College since 2022.[ 2] Kenosha, Wisconsin , Union Park Tavern and Pavle's Lounge.[ 3]
After Kenosha's south side state representative Tod Ohnstad announced he would not run for re-election in 2024, DeSmidt entered the race and received Ohnstad's endorsement. He faced a primary against former Kenosha Unified School District board member Kyle Flood,[ 3] [ 4] [ 3] [ 5]
Electoral history
Year
Election
Date
Elected
Defeated
Total
Plurality
2024
Primary[ 6]
Aug. 13
Ben DeSmidt Democratic
3,738
69.51%
Kyle Flood
Dem.
1,637
30.44%
5,378
2,101
General[ 7]
Nov. 5
Ben DeSmidt Democratic
15,065
53.27%
Brian Gonzales
Rep.
13,166
46.55%
28,283
1,899
References
^ "Board of Trustees" . Gateway Technical College . Retrieved November 6, 2024 .^ https://web.archive.org/web/20241114192115/https://theorg.com/org/gateway-technical-college/org-chart/d-benjamin-desmidt ^ a b c Wattles, Stuart J. (April 23, 2024). "Former School Board Member, Police Officer, and Local Businessman vie for 65th State Assembly District seat" . WRJN . Retrieved November 6, 2024 . ^ County by County Report - 2024 Partisan Primary (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Elections Commission . August 26, 2024. p. 65. Retrieved November 6, 2024 .^ "2024 Wisconsin General Elections Results - State Assembly District 65" . Milwaukee Journal Sentinel . Retrieved November 6, 2024 .^ County by County Report - 2024 Partisan Primary (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Elections Commission . August 26, 2024. p. 65. Retrieved November 16, 2024 .^ County by County Report - 2024 General Election (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Elections Commission . November 27, 2024. p. 65. Retrieved November 30, 2024 .
External links
107th Wisconsin Legislature (2025–2027)
