MADISON — Organized labor is emerging as a key battleground in the Democratic primary for Wisconsin’s 76th Assembly District, with both current Madison Alder Dina Nina Martinez-Rutherford and former Madison Alder Juliana Bennett touting new union endorsements as the Aug. 11 election approaches.

But taken together with recent fundraising reports and previous endorsements, Martinez-Rutherford appears to have assembled the broader coalition heading into the final stretch of the campaign.

Martinez-Rutherford’s campaign announced Tuesday that she has secured endorsements from four labor unions: the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 159, the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) District Council 7, the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 311, and the Association of Professional Flight Attendants. The campaign also says she has earned endorsements from more than 65 current and former elected officials, along with organizations including Fair Wisconsin PAC, LGBTQ+ Victory Fund, Advocates for Trans Equality, Families United for Trans Rights and the Wisconsin Muslim Civic Alliance.

“I am proud to be the union candidate in this race,” Martinez-Rutherford said in a statement, pointing to her support for repealing Act 10, restoring collective bargaining rights and increasing wages for workers.

Bennett’s campaign, meanwhile, announced its endorsement from the American Federation of Teachers-Wisconsin, one of the state’s largest education unions. AFT-Wisconsin President Jon Shelton praised Bennett’s advocacy for public education and union rights, saying the organization believed she would be a strong partner for educators in the Legislature.

The endorsement adds to Bennett’s list of supporters, which includes the Democratic Socialists of America and 14 current and former elected officials including, Madison Common Council President Sabrina Madison. Both candidates share dual endorsements from 5 elected officials and the  Wisconsin Muslim Civic Alliance..

Both Martinez-Rutherford and Bennett identify as Democratic Socialists and share similar policy priorities.

The latest endorsements come less than a week after campaign finance reports highlighted a widening fundraising gap between the two leading LGBTQ+ candidates.

Martinez-Rutherford reported raising more than $100,000 from more than 1,200 donors since entering the race, more than doubling Bennett’s reported total of roughly $49,000. Bennett emphasized that her average contribution was just $39, underscoring what her campaign describes as a grassroots fundraising model, while Martinez-Rutherford’s campaign similarly highlighted that its fundraising came without corporate PAC money.

The contrast suggests two candidates appealing to many of the same progressive voters but building different political coalitions.

Bennett has consolidated support from democratic socialist organizations, while Martinez-Rutherford has assembled endorsements spanning multiple trade and public-sector unions, LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations, elected officials and community leaders. Her campaign also continues to emphasize her background as both a former union member and current Madison alder.

The race has drawn significant attention because Assembly District 76—covering downtown Madison, the Isthmus, the North Side and much of the East Side—is one of the state’s safest Democratic seats. The winner of the Aug. 11 Democratic primary will be heavily favored in the general election to succeed Rep. Francesca Hong, who is running for governor.

For LGBTQ+ voters, the race also carries historic significance. If elected, Martinez-Rutherford would become Wisconsin’s first openly transgender state legislator, a milestone that comes amid continued extensive legislative battles over transgender rights. If elected, Bennett would be the first openly queer Black woman elected to the legislature.