Secretary of State of WisconsinCertified ballot
Pete Karas
Retired music venue owner
Photo: PBS Wisconsin
Is Pete Karas on the November 3 ballot?
Pete Karas is on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Secretary of State of Wisconsin. 2 other candidates are on the ballot.
As printed · ballot order
- Jay SchroederRepublican
- JoCasta ZamarripaDemocratic
- Pete Karas· this pageWisconsin Green
ⓘ What do the party and ideology labels mean?
On the ballot, partisan candidates run under a party — in Wisconsin almost always Democratic or Republican, with the occasional third-party or independent candidate. Words like progressive, conservative, libertarian, or democratic socialist are labels people use to describe themselves, not separate parties on the ballot. A label is a starting point; each candidate's sourced positions show where they actually stand.
How we do this →Who is Pete Karas?
Former Racine city council member; retired music venue owner; running to break the two-party lock
Where does Pete Karas stand on the issues?
Karas advocates for ranked choice voting in Wisconsin and characterizes the two-party system as a failure.
Position sources (1)
- campaignWisconsin Public Radio
ⓘ What do these stance labels mean?
Each label describes how a candidate has spoken about an issue, drawn from a sourced statement — not our opinion. Support and oppose mean they've clearly taken that side. Mixed means their statements point both ways. Evolving means their stated position has changed over time. Unclear means we couldn't find a clear public statement. Every label links to the source it came from.
How we do this →ⓘ Sourced position vs. campaign claim — what's the difference?
A sourced position is something we tied to a specific public statement, with a link. A campaign claim is what a candidate's own site says about their priorities. We keep them separate so you can see the difference between a documented stance and a self-description.
How we do this →Wisconsin Watch’s questionnaire
Wisconsin Watch, a nonprofit newsroom, asked candidates for this office the same questions.
Answered 4 questions. Read Pete Karas’s answers on Wisconsin Watch
Ask Voter Help: “What did Pete Karas tell Wisconsin Watch?” →
Source: Wisconsin Watch 2026 Voter Guide, through Voter Guide Commons. That copy was last updated August 20, 2026; BadgerBrief checked it October 13, 2026. Whether a candidate answered is as the guide reports it.
ⓘ How do I read these campaign-finance numbers?
Individual contributions come from people; PAC (political action committee) money comes from organized groups. Cash-on-hand is what a campaign has left to spend. Money shows who is backing a campaign — it is not an endorsement by us, and more money does not mean a candidate is better.
How we do this →Top reported contributors
- Peter Karas (Muskego)$13,000
- Halley Karas (Lathrup Village)$6,000
- Jane Karas (Racine)$4,000
- Wisconsin Green Party (Madison)$1,000
- John Ballantyne (Lake in the hills)$1,000
Show 5 more
- GPUS (Washington)$1,000
- Alaa Musa (Milwaukee)$1,000
- George Eugene Gengler (Milwaukee)$1,000
- Michael White (Mindoro)$550
- Robert Stockinger (Hales Corners)$371
Source: WI Ethics Commission (Sunshine) · non-commercial voter education use
Top organization & PAC donors
- Wisconsin Green Party (Madison)PAC/Committee$1,000
- GPUS (Washington)$1,000
Source: WI Ethics Commission (Sunshine) · non-commercial voter education use
Where the money comes from
| Individuals | 94% | $32,832 | 80 donors |
|---|---|---|---|
| PACs & committees | 3% | $1,000 | 1 donors |
| Businesses | 3% | $1,000 | 1 donors |
| Other | 0% | $70 | 1 donors |
13% from donations under $200 (64 donors)
- under $200$4,261 · 64 donors
- $200–$999$2,571 · 10 donors
- $1,000 and up$26,000 · 6 donors
Individual donors only, grouped by each donor's total
72% from Wisconsin
- Wisconsin$24,445 · 60 donors
- Out of state$9,387 · 21 donors
- Unknown$0 · 0 donors
Individuals and businesses; committees excluded
Monthly fundraising
| 2026-01 | $4,105 |
|---|---|
| 2026-02 | $4,421 |
| 2026-03 | $2,531 |
| 2026-04 | $1,070 |
| 2026-05 | $1,060 |
| 2026-06 | $14,816 |
| 2026-07 | $4,769 |
| 2026-08 | $495 |
Itemized contributions, filings through Sep 23, 2026 · Source: WI Ethics Commission (Sunshine)
Political ads about Pete Karas
Ads a BadgerBrief editor confirmed are about Pete Karas, from the Meta Ad Library. Spend is the range Meta discloses.
54 ads from 1 sponsor
- $6,300–$11,646
Pete Karas for Wisconsin Secretary of State
54 adsSee the 54 ads
The Wisconsin Secretary of State is mostly administrative. So why is Pete running? To kick the door open.
Support$100–$199View ad on Meta
Three things Pete Karas stands for: more choices, real transparency, and accountability.
Support$200–$299View ad on Meta
Both parties are very effective. Just not for you. Pete Karas is running to change that.
Support$100–$199View ad on Meta
Democrats had their chance. Republicans had their chance. All they did was make billionaires happy.
Support$100–$199View ad on Meta
Lifelong Wisconsinite. Small business owner. City council member. Pete Karas is running for Secretary of State.
Support$100–$199View ad on Meta
Wisconsin's public records go back to 1848. Most of them are buried. Pete Karas is going to fix that.
Support$0–$99View ad on Meta
Wisconsin's public records go back to 1848. Most of them are buried. Pete Karas is going to fix that.
Support$0–$99View ad on Meta
Line 5 could destroy the Great Lakes. No Democrat or Republican will stop it. Pete Karas will.
Support$100–$199View ad on Meta
Republicans and Democrats just gave data centers your tax dollars. Pete Karas is running to change that.
Support$100–$199View ad on Meta
More voices. More choices. Apparently that's a problem for the two corporate parties.
Support$0–$99View ad on Meta
More choices on the ballot starts with signatures. Pete Karas needs between 2,000 - 4,000 signatures to officially qualify for the Wisconsin ballot as a third party candidate. Want to help make it happen? Download the nomination papers at the link in bio. #petekarasforsos #wisconsin #gobrewers #BreakTheDuopoly #IndependentCandidate
Support$200–$299View ad on Meta
From beautiful River Falls! Collecting nomination paper signatures! #petekarasforsos #wisconsin #gobrewers
Support$0–$99View ad on Meta
What’s your take? #WisconsinPolitics #PeteKaras
Support$0–$99View ad on Meta
What’s your take? #WisconsinPolitics #PeteKaras
Support$0–$99View ad on Meta
Jill Stein is coming to Milwaukee. Come break the duopoly with us. On Sunday, July 26, come to Casablanca, 728 E. Brady St. in Milwaukee. Social hour starts at 4. Speakers go on at 5. Jill Stein will be there. So will Carlos Dixon, Dr. David King, Ruth Weill, Ben Cominos, Jolly Mitch, and Al Musa. Good people who have been saying the same thing for years: voters deserve more than two options. We take no corporate money, so what we raise at events like this is what pays for the next round of doors, mailers, and gas. If you can give, give. If you can't, come anyway. Come Sunday. Bring somebody who's given up on voting. Have questions? Email: vote@petekaras.com Pete Karas Candidate for Wisconsin Secretary of State
$100–$199View ad on Meta
No corporate money. No billionaire donors. The Wisconsin Green Party answers to nobody but you.
$100–$199View ad on Meta
Wisconsin has done this before. Fighting Bob LaFollette. The Sewer Socialists. It's time to do it again.
$100–$199View ad on Meta
67 years old. Never voted Republican or Democrat for president. Pete Karas knows what a wasted vote is.
$100–$199View ad on Meta
20 years. $2 trillion. We replaced the Taliban with the Taliban. Both parties own that. Pete Karas doesn't.
$100–$199View ad on Meta
Pete Karas isn't just the Green Party candidate. Multiple parties backed him because real change takes all of us.
$0–$99View ad on Meta
Dr. Jill Stein just endorsed Pete for Secretary of State in Wisconsin and we could not be more honored. "Pete is a guy you want living next door, you want him in your community and you want him in your state government." #Wisconsin #PeteKaras #JillStein #GreenParty
$200–$299View ad on Meta
Dr. Butch Ware breaks his social media silence to publicly endorse Pete Karas for Secretary of State in Wisconsin. "He's running Green and the Democrats are running scared. They tried to knock him off the ballot in Wisconsin like they knocked me off the ballot in California." #PeteKaras #Wisconsin #GreenParty #BallotAccess #EndTheDuopoly
$0–$99View ad on Meta
We're honored to have Dr. Butch Ware's endorsement for Pete's campaign for Secretary of State in Wisconsin. Both Butch and Pete dealt with frivolous, anti-democratic challenges to try to knock them off the ballot. Luckily, Pete won his challenge and remains on the ballot as the Green Party candidate this November. Join Butch and support Pete's campaign so that we can fight back against the dirty tricks of the two corporate parties. Show your support (and by that we mean, please donate) at petekaras.com.🙏 #PeteKaras #Wisconsin #GreenParty #ThirdParty #MoneyOutOfPolitics
$0–$99View ad on Meta
Do you believe a third-party candidate can win statewide in Wisconsin? Pete does, and he has a plan: streaming TV, YouTube ads, social media, and meeting voters across the state. If you’re ready to prove this race is winnable, chip in what you can today. #PeteKaras #ThirdParty #ProofOfConcept #EndTheDuopoly #GreenParty
$0–$99View ad on Meta
We are grateful to have the endorsement and support of Dr. Jill Stein. Join Jill and help Pete win the Secretary of State race in Wisconsin this November with NO corporate PAC money. Pitch in whatever you can at petekaras.com. #PeteKaras #Wisconsin #JillStein #GreenPrty #ThirdParty #EndTheDuopoly
$0–$99View ad on Meta
Do you believe a third-party candidate can win statewide in Wisconsin? Pete does, and he has a plan: streaming TV, YouTube ads, social media, and meeting voters across the state. If you’re ready to prove this race is winnable, chip in what you can today. #PeteKaras #ThirdParty #ProofOfConcept #EndTheDuopoly #GreenParty
$0–$99View ad on Meta
Dr. Butch Ware breaks his social media silence to publicly endorse Pete Karas for Secretary of State in Wisconsin. "He's running Green and the Democrats are running scared. They tried to knock him off the ballot in Wisconsin like they knocked me off the ballot in California." #PeteKaras #Wisconsin #GreenParty #BallotAccess #EndTheDuopoly
$0–$99View ad on Meta
Dr. Jill Stein just endorsed Pete for Secretary of State in Wisconsin and we could not be more honored. "Pete is a guy you want living next door, you want him in your community and you want him in your state government." #Wisconsin #PeteKaras #JillStein #GreenParty
$0–$99View ad on Meta
We're honored to have Dr. Butch Ware's endorsement for Pete's campaign for Secretary of State in Wisconsin. Both Butch and Pete dealt with frivolous, anti-democratic challenges to try to knock them off the ballot. Luckily, Pete won his challenge and remains on the ballot as the Green Party candidate this November. Join Butch and support Pete's campaign so that we can fight back against the dirty tricks of the two corporate parties. Show your support (and by that we mean, please donate) at petekaras.com.🙏 #PeteKaras #Wisconsin #GreenParty #ThirdParty #MoneyOutOfPolitics
$0–$99View ad on Meta
When prices go up and up and up, both corporate parties blame the other one. But what did either party actually do to make things better when they had control? A whole lot of nothing. The blame game is getting old. Tell them how you feel and vote for Pete Karas on November 3rd for Secretary of State. Your Third Choice. #PeteKaras #Wisconsin #ThirdParty
$0–$99View ad on Meta
Quick question for Wisconsin voters: did you know the 2025 legislative budget includes a sales tax exemption for data centers? Billions of dollars a year, handed to an industry that's already straining our water supply. Meanwhile your property taxes are going up because the same industry gets special treatment on TID and TIFF spending. Republicans and Democrats passed this together. So who exactly are they working for? #PeteKaras #Wisconsin #DataCenters #ThirdParty #EndTheDuopoly
$300–$399View ad on Meta
We are grateful to have the endorsement and support of Dr. Jill Stein. Join Jill and help Pete win the Secretary of State race in Wisconsin this November with NO corporate PAC money. Pitch in whatever you can at petekaras.com. #PeteKaras #Wisconsin #JillStein #GreenPrty #ThirdParty #EndTheDuopoly
$0–$99View ad on Meta
Both parties use your taxes to fund war and elections. Pete Karas is running to fund healthcare, housing, and people instead.
$700–$799View ad on Meta
The two-party system is broken — and both sides know it. Pete Karas is running to give Wisconsin a real alternative.
$0–$99View ad on Meta
The two-party system is broken — and both sides know it. Pete Karas is running to give Wisconsin a real alternative.
$300–$399View ad on Meta
The two-party system is broken — and both sides know it. Pete Karas is running to give Wisconsin a real alternative.
$100–$199View ad on Meta
There’s too much money in politics — and both parties are bought. Pete Karas is running to put people back in charge.
$0–$99View ad on Meta
Every politician in Wisconsin loves a photo by the lake. Ask them about the 70-year-old pipeline running underneath it and the room goes quiet. Democrats and Republicans both had the chance to stand up to Enbridge. Both passed. That's not bad luck. That's the pattern: two parties that protect each other instead of the drinking water tens of millions of us depend on. Pete's skipping the photo op. He's saying the thing nobody on either ticket will. There's a third name on this ballot, and it isn't afraid of a pipeline company. Pete Karas. Your other choice for Wisconsin Secretary of State. petekaras.com #SecretaryOfState #ThirdPartyChoice #PeteKaras #ProtectTheLakes
$900–$999View ad on Meta
67 years old. Never voted for a Republican or a Democrat for president. Not once. People have told Pete Karas he's doing it wrong for about fifty years. He still figures it's simple: your vote counts for something when it goes to someone you believe in. He's voted that way his whole life. This November, you can too. petekaras.com #ThirdPartyChoice #VoteYourValues #SecretaryOfState #PeteKaras #IndependentVoter
$200–$299View ad on Meta
Had enough of both parties? November 3rd is your chance to say so. Pete Karas for Wisconsin Secretary of State. #PeteKaras #Wisconsin #ThirdParty #EndTheDuopoly #VoteDifferent
$800–$899View ad on Meta
Wisconsin didn't always settle for two parties, and the state was better for it. In 1924, Fighting Bob La Follette ran for president on the Progressive ticket and carried Wisconsin outright. For decades, Milwaukee elected the "sewer socialists," who built public infrastructure so clean and well-run the rest of the country was jealous. Wisconsin gave the nation some of its first workers' compensation and child labor protections. None of that came from the two-party script. It came from voters here deciding they wanted something the big parties weren't offering. That tradition is a blueprint, and Pete Karas is asking Wisconsin to pick it back up. Pete Karas for Wisconsin Secretary of State. I'd appreciate your vote in November. #WisconsinHistory #SecretaryOfState #PeteKaras
$700–$799View ad on Meta
67 years old. Never voted for a Republican or a Democrat for president. Not once. People have told Pete Karas he's doing it wrong for about fifty years. He still figures it's simple: your vote counts for something when it goes to someone you believe in. He's voted that way his whole life. This November, you can too. petekaras.com #ThirdPartyChoice #VoteYourValues #SecretaryOfState #PeteKaras #IndependentVoter
$0–$99View ad on Meta
Had enough of both parties? November 3rd is your chance to say so. Pete Karas for Wisconsin Secretary of State. #PeteKaras #Wisconsin #ThirdParty #EndTheDuopoly #VoteDifferent
$200–$299View ad on Meta
Wisconsin didn't always settle for two parties, and the state was better for it. In 1924, Fighting Bob La Follette ran for president on the Progressive ticket and carried Wisconsin outright. For decades, Milwaukee elected the "sewer socialists," who built public infrastructure so clean and well-run the rest of the country was jealous. Wisconsin gave the nation some of its first workers' compensation and child labor protections. None of that came from the two-party script. It came from voters here deciding they wanted something the big parties weren't offering. That tradition is a blueprint, and Pete Karas is asking Wisconsin to pick it back up. Pete Karas for Wisconsin Secretary of State. I'd appreciate your vote in November. #WisconsinHistory #SecretaryOfState #PeteKaras
$100–$199View ad on Meta
Had enough of both parties? November 3rd is your chance to say so. Pete Karas for Wisconsin Secretary of State. #PeteKaras #Wisconsin #ThirdParty #EndTheDuopoly #VoteDifferent
$0–$99View ad on Meta
Wisconsin didn't always settle for two parties, and the state was better for it. In 1924, Fighting Bob La Follette ran for president on the Progressive ticket and carried Wisconsin outright. For decades, Milwaukee elected the "sewer socialists," who built public infrastructure so clean and well-run the rest of the country was jealous. Wisconsin gave the nation some of its first workers' compensation and child labor protections. None of that came from the two-party script. It came from voters here deciding they wanted something the big parties weren't offering. That tradition is a blueprint, and Pete Karas is asking Wisconsin to pick it back up. Pete Karas for Wisconsin Secretary of State. I'd appreciate your vote in November. #WisconsinHistory #SecretaryOfState #PeteKaras
$0–$99View ad on Meta
67 years old. Never voted for a Republican or a Democrat for president. Not once. People have told Pete Karas he's doing it wrong for about fifty years. He still figures it's simple: your vote counts for something when it goes to someone you believe in. He's voted that way his whole life. This November, you can too. petekaras.com #ThirdPartyChoice #VoteYourValues #SecretaryOfState #PeteKaras #IndependentVoter
$0–$99View ad on Meta
Vote Pete Karas for Secretary of State November 3rd!
$100–$199View ad on Meta
Vote Pete Karas for Secretary of State November 3rd!
$0–$99View ad on Meta
We have to protect the Driftless Area from these destructive transmission lines.
$0–$99View ad on Meta
Data centers get a sales tax exemption in Wisconsin. Billions a year. Courtesy of Republicans and Democrats. Together. Your property taxes went up. Theirs didn't. Pete Karas for Secretary of State. 🔗 Link in bio. #PeteKaras #Wisconsin #DataCenters #ThirdParty #EndTheDuopoly
$200–$299View ad on Meta
Vote Pete Karas for Secretary of State November 3rd!
$0–$99View ad on Meta
Journalist Sam Husseini has spent years watching both parties pretend they're at war, but behind the scenes they work together on everything that matters to the American people. "It's a hate-based system. Vote for me because you hate the other guy more." Pete's running on something different. This is your chance to vote for something you believe in instead of the lesser of two evils. Today, he's endorsing Pete Karas for Wisconsin Secretary of State. #PeteKaras #ThirdParty #VoteDifferent #EndTheDuopoly
$0–$99View ad on Meta
Journalist Sam Husseini has spent years watching both parties pretend they're at war, but behind the scenes they work together on everything that matters to the American people. "It's a hate-based system. Vote for me because you hate the other guy more." Pete's running on something different. This is your chance to vote for something you believe in instead of the lesser of two evils. Today, he's endorsing Pete Karas for Wisconsin Secretary of State. #PeteKaras #ThirdParty #VoteDifferent #EndTheDuopoly
$0–$99View ad on Meta
In the news about Pete Karas
Coverage a BadgerBrief editor reviewed and confirmed belongs here. We link out — we don’t summarize. How we handle coverage ↗
- Milwaukee Alderperson Running For Secretary of State ↗2025-09-04Urban Milwaukee · news outlet · The funding model for Urban Milwaukee includes both advertising and a small retail outlet that sells Milwaukee-themed souvenirs and gifts.Urban Milwaukee was founded by Jeramey Jannene and Dave Reid, with Jeramey Jannene currently serving as president. Bruce Murphy joined as the editor in 2012. source ↗
- Democrats ask Wisconsin Supreme Court to boot Green Party from ... ↗2024-08-20Wisconsin Public Radio · news outlet · The outlet is funded through a combination of state appropriations, listener donations, and grants.Wisconsin Public Radio is owned by the Wisconsin Educational Communications Board and the University of Wisconsin System, Board of Regents. source ↗
- Much of Wisconsin is giving up on Flock, but Milwaukee holds on ↗2026-10-08Milwaukee Journal Sentinel · news outletGannett
How this page was made
- Who made this
- Tarik Moody, in Milwaukee, independently. No ads, and no party, campaign or PAC money. Nobody has editorial input. About BadgerBrief
- How facts get in
- Ballot names come from the Wisconsin Elections Commission’s certified list, printed as you will see them. Votes are read from official roll calls; money from the Ethics Commission and the FEC. Positions and quotes appear only after a person checks each one against its source. Methodology
- Sources
- Last updated
- Not covered
- BadgerBrief does not rate, endorse or predict. Where a fact could not be sourced it is left out, not guessed. Local questions and city or village contests are on MyVote ↗.