David Benjamin "Ben" DeSmidt is an American educator, small business owner, and Democratic politician from Kenosha, Wisconsin.
[2] He is also the owner of two bars in 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] but won the Democratic nomination with nearly 70% of the primary vote.
[4] He went on to win the general election, receiving about 53% of the vote against Republican Brian Gonzales, a former Kenosha police officer.