2020 Wisconsin State Assembly
Last updated 5-29-2021
Assembly District # – Name – Occupation – Stance on Marijuana
A=Adult Use M=Medical D=Decriminalization
1 Joel Kitchens (R – WI): Large animal veterinarian. M/D
2 Shae Sortwell (R – WI): Former U.S. Army Sergeant, U.S. Army Reserve Chemical Corps, 2009–2018. A/M/D
3 Ron Tusler (R – WI): Small business owner, law practice. Attorney. Former student attorney, Winnebago County District Attorney’s Office. Former student teacher, Milwaukee Public Schools. M
4 David Steffen (R – WI) Full-time Legislator. M
5 Jim Steineke (R – WI): Realtor, salesman. (Opposed)
6 Gary Tauchen (R – WI): Dairy Farmer (moved from Opposed to limited medical on 4-9-2021, he is retiring also and told us he would support the Republican reform)
7 Daniel Riemer (D – WI): Full-time legislator. (Uncommitted / Never Co-sponsored)
8 Sylvia Ortiz-Velez (D – WI) Degree in political science from the UW-Milwaukee and has been a Wisconsin-licensed real estate broker for over 15 years. A/M/D
9 Marisabel Cabrera (D – WI): Small business owner; immigration attorney. (Uncommitted / Never Co-sponsored)
10 David Bowen (D – WI): Full-time Legislator. A/M/D
11 Dora Drake (D – WI) Pretrial Case Manager at JusticePoint, Marquette University-Bachelor’s in Social Welfare and Justice. A/M/D
12 LaKeshia Myers (D – WI): Educator; small business owner. Former subcommittee clerk, U.S. House of Representatives; former legislative aide, Wisconsin State Senate. (Uncommitted / Never Co-sponsored)
13 Sara Rodriguez (D – WI) A/M/D
14 Robyn Vining (D – WI): Current small business owner and photographer. Former pastor; church planter; youth minister. (Uncommitted / Never Co-sponsored)
15 Joe Sanfelippo (R – WI): Small businessman; currently operates a small Christmas tree farm. Owned and operated a landscaping business for 20 years. (Opposed)
16 Kalan Haywood (D – WI): Full-time legislator. Former nonprofit consultant. (Supports A/M/D but Never Co-sponsored)
17 Supreme Moore Omokunde (D – WI) Full-time Legisaltor, Milwaukee County Board of Supervisor. A/M/D
18 Evan Goyke (D – WI): Attorney. Former state public defender. M/D
19 Jonathan Brostoff (D – WI) Full-time legislator. Former district director for Senator Larson; backup shift supervisor, Pathfinders; program director, SDC Family Support Center; public ally, Americorps; volunteer, Street Beat, Big Brothers, Big Sisters, Casa Maria. A/M/D
20 Christine Sinicki (D – WI) Former small business manager. A/M/D
21 Jessie Rodriguez (R – WI) Full-time legislator. Former analyst for a supermarket company; outreach coordinator for a non-profit. (Medical)
22 Janel Brandtjen (R – WI) Business owner. (Unconfirmed)
23 Deb Andraca (D – WI) Wife, a mother, a teacher, and an active community volunteer. I’ve worked for large international companies, political campaigns, trade associations and non-profit organizations A/M/D
24 Dan Knodl (R – WI) Bar/Resort owner. (Opposed)
25 Paul Tittl (R – WI) Owner, vacuum and sewing center. M/D
26 Terry Katsma (R – WI) Full-time legislator. Former community bank president and CEO. (Unconfirmed)
27 Tyler Vorpagel (R – WI) Full-time legislator. Former district director, Congressman Tom Petri. (Unconfirmed)
28 Gae Magnafici (R – WI) Small business owner. Former mental health technician; registered nurse. M/D
29 Clint Moses (R – WI) Chiropractor. A/M/D
30 Shannon Zimmerman (R – WI) Founder and CEO, language translation company. Small business owner. Coached youth football for 7 years. (Medical)
31 Amy Loudenbeck (R – WI) Former chamber of commerce executive, compliance manager, environmental/engineering services project manager. M(Limited Medical)
32 Tyler August (R – WI) Full-time legislator. Former chief of staff to Representative Thomas Lothian. (Opposed)
33 Cody Horlacher (R – WI) Attorney. Partner of Horlacher–Necci Law Firm. Former special prosecutor, Walworth County; former assistant district attorney, Walworth County. (Unconfirmed)
34 Rob Swearingen (R – WI) Bar/Restaurant owner/operator. (Opposed)
35 Calvin Callahan (R – WI) Full-time legislator, small business owner with family. (Opposedu)
36 Jeffrey Mursau (R – WI) Small business owner; electrical contractor. (Opposed but might swing to limited medical)
37 Vacant – special election date to be announced Former seat of John Jagler (R) (Medical)
38 Barbara Dittrich (R – WI) Non-profit leader (16 years). Former financial advisor (13 years); small business owner. (Oppose)
39 Mark Born (R – WI) Former corrections supervisor, Dodge County Sheriff’s Department. (Limited Medical)
40 Kevin Petersen (R – WI) Co-owner of family-run electronics corporation. Served in US Navy sub service, 1983–94; Persian Gulf War veteran; US Naval Reserve member, 1994–2008. (Opposed)
41 Alex Dallman (R – WI) Full-time legislator. (Decriminalization)
42 Jon Plumer (R – WI) Small business owner, Plumer Karate America. Former route salesman for Kraft Foods for 30 years. (Limited Medical)
43 Don Vruwink (D – WI) substitute teacher; softball and baseball umpire. Retired teacher, Milton School District. M/D
44 Sue Conley (D – WI) Nonprofit sector; consultant helping with strategic planning and strengthening board governance. A/M/D
45 Mark Spreitzer (D – WI) Former assistant director of alumni and parent relations and annual support, Beloit College. A/M/D
46 Gary Hebl (D – WI) Attorney and owner of a title insurance company. Sacred Hearts eighth grade basketball coach, 1980–99. A/M/D
47 Jimmy Anderson (D – WI) Nonprofit director. A/M/D
48 Samba Baldeh (D – WI) IT Project Manager at American Family Insurance. A/M/D
49 Travis Tranel (R – WI) Dairy farmer, small business owner. (Unconfirmed)
50 Tony Kurtz (R – WI) Organic grain farmer. Former U.S. Army attack helicopter pilot 1985–2005, retired from active duty as a Chief Warrant Officer Four (CW4); Persian Gulf War veteran; Iraq War veteran. (Medical Maybe)
51 Todd Novak (R – WI) Former government/associate newspaper editor, 1990–2014. (Medical)
52 Jeremy Thiesfeldt (R – WI) Former teacher. (Opposed)
53 Michael Schraa (R – WI) Restaurant owner. Former stock broker/investment advisor. M/D
54 Gordon Hintz (D – WI) Municipal consultant. Former legislative staff assistant, U.S. Representative Jay Johnson, U.S. Senator Herb Kohl; former management and budget analyst, City of Long Beach, California; former instructor, Political Science Department, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. A/M/D
55 Rachael Cabral-Guevara (R – WI) Board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner and a licensed Advanced Practice Nurse Prescriber since 2008. (A/M/D)
56 Dave Murphy (R – WI) Former owner, fitness center and agribusiness; real estate broker. (Medical)
57 Lee Snodgrass (D – WI) marketing communications/consultant; communications director for Girl Scouts of the Northwestern Great Lakes. A/M/D
58 Rick Gundrum (R – WI) Business owner in broadcast media. (Opposed)
59 Timothy Ramthun (R – WI) Former executive business management consultant; vice president and directorship roles for multiple Fortune 100 and Fortune 500 companies that specialized in manufacturing, technology, finance, education, supply-chain service, and delivery and call center operations. (Opposed)
60 Rob Brooks (R – WI) Real estate broker since 1990, restaurant/tavern owner. (Moved from unknown/uncommitted to Decriminalization and Limited Medical in April 2021)
61 Samantha Kerkman (R – WI) Full time Legislator. (Opposed)
62 Robert Wittke (R – WI) Tax professional for 25 years, specializing in corporate taxation. (Unknown)
63 Robin Vos (R – WI) Owner of several small businesses. Rental Property Owner. Former congressional district director; former legislative assistant. (Opposed)
64 Tip McGuire (D – WI) Attorney. Former legislative aide to Representative Peter Barca; Kenosha County special prosecutor; Milwaukee County assistant district attorney. (Uncommitted / Did not Co-sponsor)
65 Tod Ohnstad (D – WI) Former member: UAW Local 72 (chair of trustees, shop committeeman, bargaining committee, executive board). A/M/D
66 Greta Neubauer (D – WI) Former legislative aide to State Representative Cory Mason; Fossil Fuel Divestment Student Network (director and cofounder); Divest Middlebury (cofounder and organizer); 350.org (fellow). M/D
67 Rob Summerfield (R – WI) Small business owner; Supper club manager. (Limited Medical)
68 Jesse James (R – WI) Small business owner. Served in the U.S. Army Air Defense, 1990&mdash93; U.S. Army Reserves (Medic), 1993–96; Persian Gulf War veteran; Former warehouse specialist; police officer; SWAT team member; firefighter. (Limited Medical)
69 Donna Rozar (R – WI) works on the cardiac medical/surgical unit at Marshfield Medical Center and is on the faculty at the UWEC College of Nursing and Health Sciences – Marshfield site. (Limited Medical)
70 Nancy VanderMeer (R – WI) Former automobile dealer; small business owner; family dairy farmer. (Unkown)
71 Katrina Shankland (D – WI) Former nonprofit professional. A/M/D
72 Scott Krug (R – WI) Employment and training specialist. Former Wood County drug court coordinator, jail discharge planner; Juneau County sheriff’s deputy. (Limited Medical)
73 Nick Milroy (D – WI) Former fisheries biologist;. Served in U.S. Navy, 1992–94, U.S. Naval Reserve, 1994–2000; deployed to Persian Gulf during Operation Southern Watch. M/D
74 Beth Meyers (D – WI) Full-time legislator. Former executive director, CORE Community Resources; Former board member Apostle Islands Area Community Fund. (Uncommitted – Has not co-sponsored bills)
75 David Armstrong (R – WI) Executive Director of the Barron County Economic Development Corporation. (Maybe on limited medical)
76 Francesca Hong (D – WI) Mother, community organizer, and service industry worker. A/M/D
77 Shelia Stubbs (D – WI) Former special education teacher; adjunct professor; probation and parole agent; match support specialist. A/M/D
78 Lisa Subeck (D – WI) Former early childhood education/Head Start program manager; technical college instructor; nonprofit executive director. A/M/D
79 Dianne Hesselbein (D – WI) Full-time legislator. M/D
80 Sondy Pope (D – WI) Former Associate Director of the Foundation for Madison’s Public Schools. A/M/D
81 Dave Considine (D – WI) Former dairy goat farmer, special education teacher. M/D
82 Ken Skowronski (R – WI) General contractor; radio host, monthly talk show; 4-H construction skills instructor; seminar speaker, Wisconsin Burglar and Fire Alarm Association and WPR. Wisconsin Air National Guard, 1956—62. (Opposed)
83 Chuck Wichgers (R – WI) Medical sales offering conservative options for pain management. Education curriculum watchdog. Former occupations in sales and marketing, and in entrepreneurship and management. (Opposed)
84 Mike Kuglitsch (R – WI) Business consultant. Former member: Wisconsin Restaurant Association (president); Bowling Centers Association of Wisconsin (president). (Unknown)
85 Patrick Snyder (R – WI) Former congressional staffer for Congressman Sean Duffy; radio host for WSAU. (Limited Medical)
86 John Spiros (R – WI) Vice president, safety and claims management for a transportation company in Marshfield, Wisconsin. Served in U.S. Air Force, 1979–85, SAC “Elite” guard. (Opposed)
87 James Edming (R – WI) Convenience store owner, metal stamping company owner, farmer. Former frozen pizza manufacturer. (Medical)
88 John Macco (R – WI) Founder of regional financial planning group; Founder of regional retail franchise; Business consultant. (Medical)
89 Elijah Behnke (R – WI) Small Business Owner (Opposed)
90 Kristina Shelton (D – WI) Former health and physical education teacher, non-profit leader, A/M/D
91 Jodi Emerson (D – WI) Former anti-human trafficking advocate. A/M/D
92 Treig Pronschinske (R – WI) Small business owner; general construction contractor. (Unknown)
93 Warren Petryk (R – WI) Worked 15 years in community relations for United Cerebral Palsy of West Central Wisconsin; cofounder of musical entertainment group “The Memories” (started 1972). (Unknown)
94 Steve Doyle (D – WI) Attorney. Former instructor, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. (Medical Maybe)
95 Jill Billings (D – WI) Former teacher of English and Citizenship to Hmong adults. (Decriminalize)
96 Loren Oldenburg (R – WI) Dairy farmer. (Opposed)
97 Scott Allen (R – WI) Sales and leadership speaker, trainer, and coach. Co-owner of a printing and promotional products business. Former Realtor sales director, home builder, and risk management analyst. Served in U.S. Army Reserve, 1984–90. (Opposed but leans maybe on limited medical)
98 Adam Neylon (R – WI) Small business owner. Former legislative staffer for U.S. Representative Jim Sensenbrenner (maybe on limited medical)
99 Cindi Duchow (R – WI) Former manager and fashion specialist for national retailers. (maybe on limited medical)
Not sure which of the above represent you? Here is the link to find out who: https://maps.legis.wisconsin.gov/
The Sturgeon Bay area is where Rep. Kitchens calls home and thanks to the work of field activists in the area, cannabis possession in your own home in Sturgeon Bay no longer has any penalty, civil or criminal! This comes after a great deal of work and a coalition of groups in the area pushing for marijuana law reform.
Right after the elections in 2018, Door County was one of the first counties to declare a supporting resolution supporting medical marijuana. The following spring 2019, Sturgeon Bay and Egg Harbor asked residents in the district about medical and recreational marijuana on a local referendum, all four referendums passed. For being a leader in 2017 on decriminalization and sponsoring both versions of medical marijuana bills, along with the high support he is showing to constituents, Rep. Kitchens receives high rankings among pro-pot Republicans.
He ran for office as a Republican and spoke about marijuana reform on the campaign trail in 2018. He sponsored legislation his first session as a freshman Assembly Representative. He is leading the way to common sense reform within the GOP
Elected in 2018, Tusler a Republican from Harrison did not sponsor any legislation on marijuana reform in 2019-2020.
But he earned some extra credit points in 2019 by actually calling a voter in his district back after they sent an email to them regarding 2019-20 AB 570, the medical marijuana bill with home grows and smoking allowed, adding onto the potential “YES” votes to this piece of legislation.
During 2019, the Assembly Republicans created a bill for the 2020 legislative session to create a medical marijuana program in Wisconsin (Assembly Bill 750) which he did not co-sponsor but “may” support.
Biography
- Born October 12, 1971; married; 1 child.
- Graduate Ashwaubenon High School, 1990; B.A. in Political Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1995.
- Membership: McPherson Eye Research Institute (advisory council member); U.S. Global Leadership Coalition (advisory council member); Howard Small Business Partnership (founder); Howard Go Green Save Green Initiative (founder, chair); Ashwaubenon Business Association (president); Prevent Blindness—Northeastern Wisconsin (president); Team Lambeau (executive director); Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce State and Federal Issues Committee (chair).
- Village of Howard Board of Trustees, 2007–15; Brown County Board of Supervisors, 2012–15.
- Elected to Assembly since 2014.
Position on Marijuana Legalization
Oct 2018: Would you support changing state law to legalize marijuana and/or cannabis products? If so, under what conditions? If not, why?
Last session, I supported the legalization of the cannabis derivative CBD oil. CBD oil is non-addictive, marijuana-based product that provides proven relief to those suffering from chronic pain, seizures and related medical conditions. However, the topic of universal access to marijuana has been met with strong concerns and opposition from those who deal with this issue on a daily basis, namely those in our health care community, law enforcement officers and educators. Until there is a consensus from those on the front line of this issue in Wisconsin, I will not support this initiative.
Contact David Steffen
Email: Rep.Steffen@legis.wisconsin.gov
Web: http://legis.wisconsin.gov/assembly/04/steffen
Phone: 608-266-5840
Failure is on the report card of Republican Assembly Leader Jim Steinke. In past news articles over the past decade he has stated he would not sponsor legislation on the issue and holds up to that promise. He gives false hopes to the sick, dying and disabled of Wisconsin by saying he is “open to the idea of medical marijuana“. Rep. Steineke has offered little more than stall tactics in even the most basic steps of medical marijuana reform.
During 2019, the Assembly Republicans prefiled a bill for the 2020 legislative session to create a medical marijuana program in Wisconsin (Assembly Bill 750) for co-spsonsorship which Steineke did not sponsor.
His inability as the Republican Majority Leader to help move publicly supported bipartisan medical marijuana legislation through committee makes it clear that he has failed and deserves a failing grade.
Biography
- Born Milwaukee, Wisconsin, November 23, 1970; married; 3 children.
- Graduate Wauwatosa West High School, 1989; attended University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.
- Realtor, salesman.
- Member: Realtors Association of Northeast Wisconsin; Wisconsin Realtors Association.
- Town of Vandenbroek supervisor, 2005–07; town chair, 2007–11. Outagamie County supervisor, 2006–11.
- Elected to Assembly since 2010.
- Leadership positions: Majority Leader 2019, 2017, 2015; Assistant Majority Leader 2013.
Position on Marijuana Legalization
Feb 2019: State Rep. Jim Steineke, R-Kaukauna, said while he’s open to the idea of looking into medical marijuana as an option for people suffering with chronic pain, he doesn’t think the conversation of legalizing it for medical purposes and decriminalization should be held at the same time.
“Any time you’re dealing with issues like this when there’s polarizing opinion on either side, you try to find part of (the) subject that both sides are in favor of,” said Steineke, referring to the more likely bipartisan support for medical marijuana.
Steineke said medical marijuana could be helpful if it was prescribed by a doctor and limited in scope, but worries about other consequences of legalizing marijuana.
“Other states have seen dramatic rises in DUIs, overall cost in the system for services, things of that nature that people don’t truly understand,” he said.
Contact Jim Steineke
Email: Rep.Steineke@legis.wisconsin.gov
Web: http://legis.wisconsin.gov/assembly/05/steineke
Phone: 608-266-2418
Rep. Gary Tauchen may be retiring in 2022 and now is leaning towards supporting medical marijuana and decriminalization, says local Republican Front Line Advocate Roy Martin. Past opposition statements from Tauchen were weak. His own survey yielded 63% support for medical, but he did not co-sponsor the Republican medical marijuana bill and he is Vice Chair on the Assembly Committee of State Affairs, which did not schedule any marijuana legislation for a public hearing during the 2019-20 session.
This Democrat Assembly Representative from Milwaukee has not co-sponsored any marijuana legislation.
Biography
- Born Milwaukee, Wisconsin, December 10, 1986; married, one child.
- Graduate Rufus King High School (Milwaukee), 2005; B.A. University of Chicago, 2009; J.D. University of Wisconsin Law School, 2013.
- Full-time legislator.
- Member: Wisconsin State Bar Association; World Economic Forum: Global Shapers, Milwaukee Hub; Eisenhower Fellows.
- Elected to Assembly since 2012.
Email: Dave.Groshek@legis.wisconsin.gov
Web: http://legis.wisconsin.gov/assembly/07/riemer
Phone: 608-266-1733
When we research candidates for office and a simple google search turns up multiple results with that candidates name and marijuana reform, it makes the job a little easier. When the candidate also has marijuana reform as a platform campaign issue, that makes the public finding that information easier. We are so excited that this candidate won and is now an Assembly Representative and Milwaukee County Supervisor.
Sylvia Ortiz-Velez is the current 12 District Milwaukee County Supervisor and also a Democratic Candidate for Assembly District 8 in Milwaukee. She is fondly known as the Queen of Hemp in Milwaukee County. Past news articles have highlighted her reform efforts:
- 2018 supported placing marijuana related referendum on the ballot for November 2018
- Passed a resolution to produce hemp clones at the Mitchell park domes greenhouses
- Passed a resolution to use agricultural land owned by the Milwaukee County for lease to others for hemp production
- Lead efforts to reduce marijuana possession to $1 in Milwaukee County
This freshman assembly representative from Milwaukee has not co-sponsored any marijuana legislation her first term in office. Elected in 2018, she did sit on the Assembly Committee on State Affairs assigned the medical marijuana bills. Had she been a co-sponsor of medical marijuana legislation, the committee would have had a majority of members signed onto legislation on the issue.
Biography
- Born Milwaukee, Wisconsin, December 12, 1975; single.
- Graduate Nathan Hale High School, 1993; B.A. in Spanish and Latin American Iberian Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1998; J.D. Michigan State University College of Law, 2002.
- Small business owner; immigration attorney.
- Member: City of Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission (chair); Voces de la Frontera; Democratic Party of Wisconsin; Democratic Party of Milwaukee County; State Bar of Wisconsin; State Bar of Florida.
- Former Member: Centro Hispano of Milwaukee Board of Directors; Latino Caucus of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin (chair).
- Elected to Assembly 2018.
Contact Marisabel Cabrera
Email: Rep.Cabrera@legis.wisconsin.gov
Web: https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2019/legislators/assembly/1927
Phone: 608-266-1707
Rep. Bowen sponsored adult use and medical marijuana legislation in past sessions.
Dora Drake said her stance is that she supports legalizing adult use of marijuana because of revenue and from a moral standpoint, and to address social justice issues. – source
As a candidate she did not support recreational marijuana measures and leaned towards decriminalization. The newly elected Rep. Myers from Milwaukee did not author, sponsor or co-sponsor legislation on marijuana reform her first session as an Assembly Representative.
Biography:
- Born Milwaukee, Wisconsin, May 21, 1984; single.
- Graduate Rufus King High School, 2002; B.A. in Political Science, Alcorn State University, 2006; M. Ed., Strayer University, 2009; Ed.D., Argosy University, 2016.
- Educator; small business owner. Former subcommittee clerk, U.S. House of Representatives; former legislative aide, Wisconsin State Senate.
- Member: Alcorn State University National Alumni Association (Milwaukee Chapter Vice President); Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.; Democratic Party of Wisconsin; Historically Black College/University Alumni United (President); Milwaukee Metropolitan Alliance of Black School Educators; National Education Association; National Association for the Advancement of Colored People; Wisconsin African American Chamber of Commerce.
- Former member: National Membership Director College Democrats of America (2005–2006); Phi Delta Kappa International; National Council of Negro Women.
- Elected to Assembly 2018.
Position on Marijuana Legalization: July 2018: Opposed at this time. “I am not at the point of legalizing it totally just to have a free for all.“
Position on Marijuana Decriminalization: July 2018: Supports but did not co-sponsor the Decriminalization Bill. “I think we should decriminalize marijuana”
Position on Medical Marijuana: Unknown, did not co-sponsor AB 570.
Comments: An educator who pulled off a major upset when she defeated a longtime incumbent lawmaker in the Democratic primaries will become one of only two black women in Wisconsin’s state Assembly — a feat she attributes to long days knocking on voters’ doors.
LaKeshia Myers, 34, beat state Rep. Fred Kessler by 23 percentage points in the 12th Assembly District, and since she was unopposed in November 2020 the seat is hers. Kessler, 78, had held the seat for 14 years after prior stints in the Legislature in the 1960s.
Contact LaKeshia Myers
Email: Rep.Myers@legis.wisconsin.gov
Web: http://legis.wisconsin.gov/assembly/12/myers
Phone: 608-266-5813
She said follow the science and data and it leads you to legalized marijuana does not increase the bad effects in your community.
Elected in 2018, former pastor and first year assembly representative from Wauwatosa did not sponsor any legislation on marijuana reform in 2019-2020.
Biography
- Born Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, November 11, 1976; married; 2 children.
- Attended Westlake High School, Austin, Texas; graduated James Madison High School, Vienna, Virginia, 1995; B.A. in Psychology and B.A. in Studio Art, James Madison University, 1999; M.A. in Religion, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, 2002.
- Current small business owner and photographer. Former pastor; church planter; youth minister.
- Member: Exploit No More (co-founder, executive board member).
- Elected to Assembly 2018.
Comments
Assembly District 14 in Waukesha and Milwaukee Counties, including the city Wauwatosa and areas west along 190. (MAP) This district was a close one last election cycle. In the 2018 election, we saw four candidates on the general, with Libertarian and Moderation Party candidates taking 3.2% of the vote. Democrat Robyn Vining won by 138 votes or .4% – source
Milwaukee County 2018 referendum:
“Do you favor allowing adults 21 years of age and older to engage in the personal use of marijuana, while also regulating commercial marijuana-related activities, and imposing a tax on the sale of marijuana?”
- 70% YES
- 30% NO
City of Waukesha 2018 Referendum:
“Should cannabis be legalized in Wisconsin for medicinal purposes, and regulated in the same manner as other prescription drugs?”
- 77% YES
- 23% NO
Contact Robyn Vining
Email: Rep.Vining@legis.wisconsin.gov
Web: https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2019/legislators/assembly/1945
Phone: 608-266-9180
In past sessions, medical marijuana bills died under the watch of Rep. Sanfelippo from New Berlin, Wisconsin. As Chair of the Assembly Committee on Health, medical marijuana was not even allowed a public hearing under his watch. In the 2019-20 session, medical marijuana advocates had high hopes as medical marijuana reform was not directed to his committee. He obviously did not co-sponsor the Republican GOP medical marijuana bill (AB 683) and he continues to give public statements opposing any marijuana reform.
Biography
- Born Milwaukee, Wisconsin, February 26, 1964; married; 3 children.
- Graduate Thomas More High School, 1982; attended Marquette University, 1982–84.
- Small businessman; currently operates a small Christmas tree farm. Owned and operated a landscaping business for 20 years.
- Member: St. John the Evangelist Parish, Greenfield.
- Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors, 2008–12.
- Elected to Assembly since 2012.
- Additional appointments, 2019: Wisconsin Center District Board; Evidence-Based Health Policy Project Legislative Advisory Board.
Member of Juvenile Corrections Grant Committee
Position on Marijuana Legalization: As chair on the Assembly Committee on Health, Rep. Joe Sanfelippo issued this statement in February 2019 regarding Tony Evers’ decriminalization plan: “Governor Evers’s plan for decriminalizing and legalizing marijuana is both irresponsible and uninformed. This is a case of the Governor advancing his own agenda despite a large body of scientific research demonstrating real dangers associated with marijuana use. Contrary to the growing narrative that marijuana is harmless, the scientific and medical communities have raised genuine concerns about the risks that marijuana consumption poses to health and public safety.”
Position on Marijuana Decriminalization: Opposed
Position on Medical Marijuana: He does not believe there are benefits to medical marijuana. He was quoted in February 2019 saying, “There is no quantitative, definitive science and research that can prove the efficacy of marijuana for medical purposes.”
Contact Joe Sanfelippo
Email: Joshua.Hoisington@legis.wisconsin.gov
Web: http://legis.wisconsin.gov/assembly/15/sanfelippo
Phone: 608-266-0620Address
State Capitol, Room 314 North Post Office Box 8953
Madison, WI 53708
Republican Rob Swearingen Chairs of the Assembly Committee of State Affairs, which is/was “in charge” of medical marijuana for the 2019-20 legislative session. He was one the Republicans that gutted everything marijuana reform related from the budget, calling for the issue(s) to be addressed outside the budget. The next step in the process was to hold a public hearing on the issue. Rep Swearingen in February 2020 said “I’d be willing to look at a proposal for medical marijuana as long as it was prescribed by a doctor and filled by a licensed pharmacy.”
Rep Swearingen held his very own Spring 2019 GOP Survey and results yielded 63% support medical marijuana.
Well, he lied, again. The past medical marijuana legislation fit that bill by definition came, Senate Bill 507 / Assembly Bill 570 (Medical Marijuana with home grows/smoking) and then the Republican Caucus bill vetted to get a public hearing arrived Assembly Bill 750 / Senate Bill 683 (Creation of a Medical Marijuana Program). Both are stuck in the committee he is the leader of. Most likely medical marijuana legislation will die in committee under the watchful eye of Committee Chair Rob Swearingen.
Rep. Swearingen maybe pushing “pill only form” of legislation, but he is still denying any cannabis reform from public hearings in his committee.
Biography
- Born Oneida County, Wisconsin, July 23, 1963; married; 2 children.
- Graduate Rhinelander High School, 1981.
- Restaurant owner/operator.
- Tavern League of Wisconsin (former president, zone vice president, district director); American Beverage Licensees (former member, board of directors); Oneida County Tavern League (former president, vice president); Rhinelander Chamber of Commerce; Oneida County Republican Party.
- Elected to Assembly since 2012.
Contact Rob Swearingen: Email: Rep.Swearingen@legis.wisconsin.gov
Web: https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2021/legislators/assembly/2202
Phone: 608-266-7141
