Help select the potential leaders of The Wisconsin Cannabis Caucus
Wisconsin Elected Officials 2025-26
Wisconsin State Senate
Republican Senators
1 Julian Bradley (New Berlin) – Bradley comes out against recreational marijuana, but understands people turn to marijuana for medicinal purposes, his concern is he wants to insure it goes through the same process that any drug would before it is legalized for medicinal purposes and sent out to people. Not in favor of over regulatory situation, but before people are taking a drug prescribed to them that drug has cleared all hurdles. source from 2020
2 Rachael Cabral-Guevara (Appleton) – supports reform in general, up for re-election in safe GOP district
3 Dan Feyen (Fond du Lac) April 2019: Feyen says he doesn’t support legalizing recreational marijuana, after hearing from police chiefs and sheriff’s departments.
4 Mary Felzkowski (Tomahawk) – supports reform in general; AB 547 / SB 534 Medical Marijuana Bill lead author
5 Rob Hutton (Brookfield) This is going to be a close one come 2026 election time! In his 2018 candidate interview Hutton said he is against recreational marijuana, he said marijuana is a gateway drug and is even hesitant on medical marijuana. We will label this district as very competitive for analysis purposes below. He is up for re-election in 2026 in a very vulnerable district under the new maps.
6 Jesse James (Thorp) AB 606 / SB 681 Three Tier Bill Co-sponsor
7 John Jagler (Watertown) When asked if he supports medical marijuana, Jagler said he has for many years. “However, I’m against recreational marijuana because we do not need any more impaired drivers on the road,” he said. “We are on an island. While we are on that island, we are seeing the ramifications of full legalization in other states such as the growth of black market marijuana because states are putting so many regulations on who can grow it and how many plants they can grow. Source April 2023. He is up for re-election in 2026 in a safe GOP district.
8 André Jacque (De Pere) AB 503 / SB 499 Brill “Ban” Bill
9 Chris Kapenga (Waukesha) AB 503 / SB 499 Brill “Ban” Bill. He is up for re-election in 2026 in a safe GOP district.
10 Devin LeMahieu (Oostburg) – YES to SB 682
11 Howard Marklein (Spring Green) – traditionally opposed to reform measures saying “I’m going to listen to two groups primarily: law enforcement, because they’re the ones that are going to be impacted, and the medical community” Source from 2020. He is up for re-election in 2026 in a very vulnerable district under the new maps.
12 Stephen Nass (Whitewater) AB 503 / SB 499 Brill “Ban” Bill
13 Romaine Quinn (Cameron) AB 747 / SB 682 co sponsor
14 Rob Stafsholt (New Richmond) Although past news articles have quoted Rep. Stafsholt as “supporting” medical marijuana and decriminalization, he has failed to sponsor any legislation on the issue and has given contradicting statements on medical marijuana according to news archives.
In Feb 2023 Rep. Rob Stafsholt, R-New Richmond, said he backed a measure from former legislator Adam Jarchow to legalize (decriminalize) recreational pot and that he still supports that concept. Source
15 Patrick Testin (Stevens Point) AB 747 / SB 682 lead author and AB 547 / SB 534 Medical Marijuana Bill lead author
16 Cory Tomczyk (Mosinee) AB 606 / SB 681 Three Tier Bill Co-sponsor
17 Van Wanggaard (Racine) – AB 503 / SB 499 Brill “Ban” Bill
18 Eric Wimberger (Green Bay) – AB 606 / SB 681 Three Tier Bill Co-sponsor
Democratic Senators
1 Tim Carpenter (Milwaukee) past legalization co-sponsor
2 Kristin Dassler-Alfheim (Appleton)
3 Dora Drake (Milwaukee) past legalization co-sponsor
4 Jodi Habush Sinykin (Whitefish Bay)
5 Dianne Hesselbein (Middleton) past legalization co-sponsor
6 LaTonya Johnson (Milwaukee) SB 644 / AB 680 Dem Hemp Reg Bills; past legalization co-sponsor
7 Sarah Keyeski (Lodi) SB 644 / AB 680 Dem Hemp Reg Bills
8 Chris Larson (Milwaukee) SB 644 / AB 680 Dem Hemp Reg Bills; past legalization co-sponsor
9 Brad Pfaff (Onalaska) AB 606 / SB 681 Three Tier Bill Co-sponsor; SB 644 / AB 680 Dem Hemp Reg Bills; past legalization co-sponsor
10 Melissa Ratcliff (Cottage Grove) SB 644 / AB 680 Dem Hemp Reg Bills; past legalization co-sponsor
11 Kelda Roys (Madison) SB 644 / AB 680 Dem Hemp Reg Bills; past legalization co-sponsor
12 Jeff Smith (Brunswick) past legalization co-sponsor
13 Mark Spreitzer (Beloit) SB 644 / AB 680 Dem Hemp Reg Bills; past legalization co-sponsor
14 Jamie Wall (Green Bay) SB 644 / AB 680 Dem Hemp Reg Bills
15 Robert “Bob” Wirch (Pleasant Prairie)
Wisconsin State Assembly (2025–2026)
Republican Assembly Representatives
1 Scott Allen (Waukesha) brought in SMART Approaches to marijuana in 2021, traditionally opposes reform
2 David Armstrong (Rice Lake) 35+ years sobriety, traditionally opposed legalization.
3 Tyler August (Walworth) – Majority Leader, not vocal against, inside reports says he in favor of reform.
4 Elijah Behnke (Chase) YES vote for AB 747 / SB 682 per Roy Martin (but is also a co-sponsor AB 503 / SB 499 Brill “Ban” Bill)
5 Mark Born (Beaver Dam) co-sponsored medical marijuana in past sessions
6 Lindee Brill (Sheboygan Falls) AB 503 / SB 499 Brill “Ban” Bill
7 Robert Brooks (Saukville) AB 606 / SB 681 Three Tier Bill Co-sponsor
8 Calvin Callahan (Tomahawk) – says he supports regulation, unclear on which bill he supports
9 Alex Dallman (Markesan) AB 606 / SB 681 Three Tier Bill Co-sponsor
10 Barbara Dittrich (Oconomowoc) AB 503 / SB 499 Brill “Ban” Bill
11 Bob Donovan (Greenfield) AB 503 / SB 499 Brill “Ban” Bill & AB 606 / SB 681 Three Tier Bill Co-sponsor and during lobby day constituents said he would support AB 747 also
12 Cindi Duchow (Delafield) AB 747 / SB 682 co sponsor
13 Ben Franklin (De Pere) – unknown
14 Nate Gustafson (Fox Crossing) – typically supports reform, spoke at Pizza, Pot, Politics Event.
15 Joy Goeben (Hobart) – supports medical marijuana and reform in general – source
16 Chanz Green (Grandview) – seen as a supporter, does not want to “box” himself in by co-sponsoring, Co-Chair of The Assembly Committee on State Affairs
17 Rick Gundrum (Slinger) AB 503 / SB 499 Brill “Ban” Bill
18 Karen Hurd (Withee) – she seemed willing to help form The Wisconsin Cannabis Caucus and was in support of reform in general – source
19 Brent Jacobson (Mosinee) AB 606 / SB 681 Three Tier Bill Co-sponsor
20 Dean Kaufert (Neenah) AB 606 / SB 681 Three Tier Bill Co-sponsor and AB 747 / SB 682 co sponsor and AB 547 / SB 534 Medical Marijuana Bill co-sponsor
21 Dan Knodl (Germantown) AB 547 / SB 534 Medical Marijuana Bill co-sponsor; AB 747 / SB 682 co sponsor
22 Joel Kitchens (Sturgeon Bay) supported medical with home grows and decriminalization in past sessions.
23 Scott Krug (Rome) – typically a supporter of cannabis reform, has been a co-sponsor in past sessions.
24 Rob Kreibich (New Richmond) AB 747 / SB 682 co sponsor
25 Tony Kurtz (Wonewoc) Author of AB 747 / SB 682
26 Dave Maxey (New Berlin) AB 503 / SB 499 Brill “Ban” Bill
27 Paul Melotik (Grafton) AB 547 / SB 534 Medical Marijuana Bill co-sponsor
28 Clint Moses (Menomonie) AB 606 / SB 681 Three Tier Bill Co-sponsor; Member of The Assembly Committee on State Affairs
29 Dave Murphy (Greenville) He co-sponsored the “Ban Bill” AB 503 / SB 499 Brill “Ban” Bill and also AB 747 / SB 682 co sponsor
30 Jeffrey Mursau (Crivitz) AB 606 / SB 681 Three Tier Bill Co-sponsor
31 Amanda Nedweski (Pleasant Prairie) AB 606 / SB 681 Three Tier Bill Co-sponsor
32 Adam Neylon (Pewaukee) AB 747 / SB 682 co sponsor
33 Todd Novak (Dodgeville) AB 606 / SB 681 Three Tier Bill Co-sponsor; AB 547 / SB 534 Medical Marijuana Bill co-sponsor
34 Jerry L. O’Connor (Fond du Lac) AB 503 / SB 499 Brill “Ban” Bill
35 William Penterman (Hutisford) AB 606 / SB 681 Three Tier Bill Co-sponsor
36 Kevin Petersen (Waupaca) been around since 2008 with no history of co-sponsorship
37 Jim Piwowarczyk (Hubertus) AB 503 / SB 499 Brill “Ban” Bill; Member of The Assembly Committee on State Affairs
38 Treig Pronschinske (Mondovi) – home of Jacki Rickert, no history of co-sponsorship
39 Jessie Rodriguez (Oak Creek) – typically opposes reform, co-sponsor Republican Medical Marijuana past session
40 Shae Sortwell (Two Rivers) AB 747 / SB 682 co sponsor
41 John Spiros (Marshfield) – possible supporter, friends with Swearingen, past medical co-sponsor; Member of The Assembly Committee on State Affairs
42 Patrick Snyder (Weston) AB 606 / SB 681 Three Tier Bill Co-sponsor and lead author of AB 547 / SB 534 Medical Marijuana Bill
43 David Steffen (Howard) AB 606 / SB 681 Three Tier Bill Co-sponsor
44 Rob Summerfield (Bloomer) AB 606 / SB 681 Three Tier Bill Co-sponsor; Member of The Assembly Committee on State Affairs
45 Rob Swearingen (Rhinelander) Lead author of AB 606 / SB 681 Three Tier Bill Co-sponsor, Chair of The Assembly Committee on State Affairs
46 Paul Tittl (Manitowoc) – one of the first Republicans to call for public hearings, listed as a supporter of reform.
47 Travis Tranel (Cuba City) – supporter of reform, indicated would support hemp regulations
48 Duke Tucker (Grantsburg) AB 606 / SB 681 Three Tier Bill Co-sponsor and AB 747 / SB 682 co sponsor
49 Ron Tusler (Harrison) AB 606 / SB 681 Three Tier Bill Co-sponsor
50 Nancy VanderMeer (Tomah) unknown
51 Robin Vos (Rochester) – Speaker of Assembly
52 Chuck Wichgers (Muskego) AB 503 / SB 499 Brill “Ban” Bill
53 Robert Wittke (Caledonia) AB 606 / SB 681 Three Tier Bill Co-sponsor; Member of The Assembly Committee on State Affairs
54 Shannon Zimmerman (River Falls) no co-sponsorship history, claims fentanyl is found in local cannabis – source
Democrat Assembly Representatives
1 Karen Kirsch (Greenfield) SB 644 / AB 680 Dem Hemp Reg Bills; Member of The Assembly Committee on State Affairs
2 Sylvia Ortiz‑Vélez (Milwaukee) AB 747 / SB 682 co sponsor; past legalization co-sponsor
3 Priscilla Prado (Milwaukee) SB 644 / AB 680 Dem Hemp Reg Bills
4 Darrin Madison (Milwaukee) SB 644 / AB 680 Dem Hemp Reg Bills; past legalization co-sponsor
5 Sequanna Taylor (Milwaukee) SB 644 / AB 680 Dem Hemp Reg Bills
6 Russell Goodwin (Milwaukee) SB 644 / AB 680 Dem Hemp Reg Bills
7 Robyn Vining (Wauwatosa)
8 Angelito Tenorio (West Allis)
9 Kalan Haywood (Milwaukee) past legalization co-sponsor
10 Supreme Moore Omokunde (Milwaukee) SB 644 / AB 680 Dem Hemp Reg Bills; past legalization co-sponsor
11 Margaret Arney (Wauwatosa) SB 644 / AB 680 Dem Hemp Reg Bills
12 Ryan Clancy (Milwaukee) SB 644 / AB 680 Dem Hemp Reg Bills; past legalization co-sponsor
13 Christine Sinicki (Milwaukee) Author of SB 644 / AB 680 Dem Hemp Reg Bills; AB 747 / SB 682 co sponsor; Member of The Assembly Committee on State Affairs; past legalization co-sponsor
14 Deb Andraca (Whitefish Bay) SB 644 / AB 680 Dem Hemp Reg Bills
15 Joe Sheehan (Sheboygan) SB 644 / AB 680 Dem Hemp Reg Bills
16 Karen DeSanto (Baraboo) Minority Party State Rep on State Council on Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse (SCAODA)
17 Maureen McCarville (DeForest)
18 Brienne Brown (Whitewater) SB 644 / AB 680 Dem Hemp Reg Bills
19 Ann Roe (Janesville) AB 747 / SB 682 co sponsor and SB 644 / AB 680 Dem Hemp Reg Bills; Member of The Assembly Committee on State Affairs
20 Clinton Anderson (Beloit) past legalization co-sponsor
21 Joan Fitzgerald (Fort Atkinson) SB 644 / AB 680 Dem Hemp Reg Bills
22 Randy Udell (Fitchburg) AB 747 / SB 682 co sponsor
23 Andrew Hysell (Sun Prairie) AB 747 / SB 682 co sponsor and SB 644 / AB 680 Dem Hemp Reg Bills
24 Jenna Jacobson (Oregon) past legalization co-sponsor
25 Lee Snodgrass (Appleton) SB 644 / AB 680 Dem Hemp Reg Bills; past legalization co-sponsor
26 Lori Palmeri (Oshkosh) SB 644 / AB 680 Dem Hemp Reg Bills; past legalization co-sponsor
27 Angelina Cruz (Racine)
28 Tip McGuire (Kenosha)
29 Ben DeSmidt (Kenosha) SB 644 / AB 680 Dem Hemp Reg Bills
30 Greta Neubauer (Racine) SB 644 / AB 680 Dem Hemp Reg Bills; past legalization co-sponsor
31 Vincent Miresse (Stevens Point) SB 644 / AB 680 Dem Hemp Reg Bills
32 Angela Stroud (Ashland) SB 644 / AB 680 Dem Hemp Reg Bills; AB 747 / SB 682 co sponsor
33 Francesca Hong (Madison) AB 747 / SB 682 co sponsor; past legalization co-sponsor
34 Renuka Mayadev (Madison)
35 Shelia Stubbs (Madison) SB 644 / AB 680 Dem Hemp Reg Bills; past legalization co-sponsor
36 Lisa Subeck (Madison)
37 Mike Bare (Verona) SB 644 / AB 680 Dem Hemp Reg Bills; past legalization co-sponsor
38 Alex Joers (Middleton) past legalization co-sponsor
39 Ryan Spaude (Ashwaubenon)
40 Amaad Rivera‑Wagner (Green Bay)
41 Jodi Emerson (Eau Claire) SB 644 / AB 680 Dem Hemp Reg Bills and has said will support AB 747/SB 682; past legalization co-sponsor
42 Christian Phelps (Eau Claire)
43 Steve Doyle (Onalaska)
44 Jill Billings (La Crosse) SB 644 / AB 680 Dem Hemp Reg Bills
45 Tara Johnson (Town of Shelby) SB 644 / AB 680 Dem Hemp Reg Bills
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Wisconsin needs elected officials who sponsored the various bills throughout past sessions and the newly elected legislators supporting reform on the campaign trail to work together towards sensible cannabis reform in a bi-partisan nature.
During election cycles, we need to put the pressure on candidates to help form The Wisconsin Cannabis Caucus if elected.
An official bipartisan state caucus can streamline cannabis reform legislation at the state level while developing and promoting sensible cannabis policy reform and work to ease the tension between political parties.
The Wisconsin Democrat Caucuses include: Asian American Pacific Island Caucus, American Indian Caucus, Black Caucus, Disability Caucus, Environmental Caucus, Jewish Caucus, Labor Caucus, Latino Caucus, LGBTQ+ Caucus, Progressive Caucus, Rural Caucus, Veteran Caucus and Women’s Caucus.
There are Wisconsin Republican Caucuses also, aren’t there?
Bipartisan Wisconsin Caucuses include: Wisconsin Children’s Caucus, Wisconsin Paper Caucus, Wisconsin Legislative Trails Caucus and Wisconsin’s Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus.
At the federal level there are hundreds of issue based caucuses:
There are some examples of bi-partisan caucuses also, such as: State Mental Health Caucus, Congressional Rural Health Caucus, Congressional Sportsmen Caucus, Senate Mental Health Caucus in the U.S. Senate
and our favorite federal caucus, The Congressional Cannabis Caucus.
What is next?
If Republicans insist on discussing cannabis policy solely behind closed doors within their own ranks, that is one challenge. However, another pressing issue is the stark division within the GOP itself. On one side, there are Republicans pushing for a complete ban on intoxicating hemp products, while on the other, there is an equally significant faction advocating for some degree of cannabis reform. This internal conflict reflects the broader uncertainty within the party on how to address the issue.
It has become painfully clear that Speaker Robin Vos is not interested in advancing cannabis reform in any meaningful way. Instead of governing and fostering collaboration, Vos has positioned himself as an arbiter, effectively stalling progress. His refusal to work with Democrats on this critical issue underscores his unwillingness to lead in a way that reflects the will of the people or the evolving needs of Wisconsin.
Despite these obstacles, there remains a clear path forward for legislators who genuinely care about cannabis reform. To break through the gridlock and foster bipartisan cooperation, it is essential to establish a Wisconsin Cannabis Caucus. This dedicated, cross-party group could serve as a platform for lawmakers committed to crafting and advancing policies that reflect the realities and opportunities of cannabis regulation. By forming such a caucus, pro-reform legislators can work together to ensure that cannabis policy becomes a priority in 2025 and beyond, transcending partisan politics and addressing the issue in a way that benefits all Wisconsinites.
