The youngest Republican legislator in the state claimed the most per diem in 2025. Two DSA members also finished in the top five. Per diems are paid on the honor system, as no checks exist to ensure legislators are working in the Capitol on those days.
By Gus Pirlot and Peter Cameron, THE BADGER PROJECT
At more than $22,000, the youngest Republican legislator in Wisconsin claimed the largest amount of per diem payments in 2025, the last full legislative year. A pair of Democratic Socialists from Milwaukee also collected more than $18,000 each, putting each in the top five as well.
The Assembly representatives claiming the most per diem payments were, from most to least, Calvin Callahan (R-Tomahawk), Darrin Madison (D-Milwaukee), Alex Dallman (R-Markesan), Rob Swearingen (R-Rhinelander) and Ryan Clancy (D-Milwaukee).
| NAME | PARTY | DAYS CLAIMED | TOTAL |
| Callahan, Calvin | Republican | 153 | $22,316 |
| Madison, Darrin | Democrat | 153 | $19,323 |
| Dallman, Alex | Republican | 134 | $19,035 |
| Swearingen, Rob | Republican | 132 | $18,778 |
| Clancy, Ryan | Democrat | 140 | $18,468 |
In addition to the $60,924 yearly salary they are getting in the 2025-2026 session, legislators can also claim supplementary payment for days spent in Madison to cover lodging and food expenses. Wisconsin State Assembly representatives can claim $171 per day for overnight stays, and $85.50 for day trips to the state’s capital. Those living in Dane County can only claim the day trip rate.
The city of Tomahawk, Callahan’s hometown, is about 179 miles from the Capitol. Madison and Clancy, both from Milwaukee, have about a 77-mile commute. Dallman is from Markesan, 58 miles away, the shortest drive of the top five per diem claimants. Swearingen faces a 202-mile trek to Madison from Rhinelander, the furthest of these five.
Callahan and Madison both reported the most days spent in the capital, at 153. Callahan claimed $3,000 more than Madison because of the difference in overnight stays.
Those 153 days are the maximum a state representative can claim in a non-election year, when the Legislature is in session more often.
In a written statement to The Badger Project, Callahan said, “The 200-mile drive between my home and the Capitol is a significant factor in my per diem claims. I make sure that I’m not having to make multiple day trips to Madison. If I’m driving down, I’m there for the week. I’m doing as much as I can while I am in Madison as a member of four committees and serving as Chairman of the Committee on Consumer Protection.”
Clancy said in a written statement, “I am proud to be consistently and reliably present in Madison working on behalf of my constituents. Frankly, benefits programs like this make it easier for working-class people to practically represent other working-class people in Wisconsin’s legislature; the alternative is an Assembly full of wealthy, self-funded representatives.
“As a democratic socialist, I’m in support of making representation more accessible, not less,” he continued. “I’m proud of the work my office does in this seat, both in our community and collaborating with our colleagues in Madison. Next session, I endeavor to be at the top of this list.”
Tony Sartori, a spokesperson for Rep. Swearingen noted the long distance he must travel to the capital, as well as his legislative assignments, which include chairing the State Affairs Committee, which he called the “busiest” in the Legislature.
“His per diem totals reflect the travel demands of representing a northern Wisconsin district while maintaining a full legislative workload and leadership responsibilities in Madison,” Sartori said.
The others did not respond to a message seeking comment.
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How much of the people’s business are legislators actually doing when they come to Madison? That question is “somewhat difficult to answer, because in my experience, at least some legislators put in long hours and really work hard and others just show up briefly,” said Spencer Black, a former Democratic Assembly representative from Madison. “They both get the same per diem.”
Black said he favors eliminating the current per diem system and increasing legislator salary by the average annual per diem payment.
At present, no system is in place to ensure legislators are doing the work and not just collecting the per diem.
Madison and Clancy, both self-described Democratic Socialists, formed a Socialist Caucus in the Assembly in 2023, when the pair first joined the Legislature.
State Reps. Ron Tusler (R-Harrison), Amaad Rivera-Wagner (D-Green Bay) and Steve Doyle (D-Onalaska) claimed the least per diem in the state Assembly, collecting less than $6,000 each.
Legislators can also claim mileage reimbursements at 51 cents per mile. Those payments are not included in the per diem totals.
State representatives can be reimbursed for two round trips per week, but if an overnight is taken, they are limited to one round trip per week, according to Assembly rules.
In total, the 99 members of the Wisconsin State Assembly were paid $1,166,077 in per diem payments in 2025, according to records from the Assembly Chief Clerk. That’s a slight increase from the $1,009,625 claimed in the most recent, comparable session – 2023 – the last non-election year, when the state Legislature does not break for political campaigns.
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