WiscoCan Election Update: Senate District 25 + Upcoming Events
Our 2026 Election Coverage continues to move across Wisconsin, and we want to give everyone an update from Senate District 25 in northwest Wisconsin.
This is a big district covering Ashland, Bayfield, Burnett, Douglas, Iron, Polk, Sawyer and Washburn counties — and it is now one of the Senate races we will be watching closely through November.
The Republican Primary Is Over
The August Republican primary featured former Assembly Representatives Angie Sapik and Erik Severson.
Sapik completed our WiscoCan candidate questionnaire and gave some very clear answers on cannabis and hemp. She said she supports ending federal cannabis prohibition, supports regulating the hemp-derived cannabinoid market, supports SB 682/AB 747, supports adult-use legalization, medical cannabis, decriminalization and automatic expungement of nonviolent cannabis convictions. She also said she would support the Wisconsin Cannabis Caucus.
Erik Severson ultimately won the Republican primary, receiving about 54% of the vote. He now moves on to the November general election.
Severson has a very different public record going back to when he was a former assembly rep and now his campaign position on marijuana. During the primary campaign, he said marijuana legalization should not be a top priority and raised concerns about potential health effects.
The November race will be Erik Severson (R) vs. Charly Ray (D).
Charly Ray has been talking about hemp and cannabis since the beginning of his campaign. Stakeholders personally had the opportunity to speak with Charly about Wisconsin’s hemp regulation crisis, and he has been engaged with these issues throughout the campaign.
That makes it especially important for cannabis and hemp activists in SD25 to get engaged, ask questions and make sure these candidates understand what is happening to Wisconsin’s farmers, processors, manufacturers, retailers and consumers.
BIG SHOUT OUT TO CRAIG SUTHERLAND!
I also want to give a huge shout out to Craig Sutherland of Sutherland CBD. (Follow his business page on Facebook!)
Craig is not just watching this race from the sidelines. He has been a workhorse in the district, helping get information out, engaging candidates and voters, and putting cannabis and hemp issues directly into the political conversation. As a City of Superior Council Member he was primarily responsible for successful decriminalization measures in the city in 2018.
Craig has also stepped up as a 2026 Wisconsin Cannabis Activist Network Election Coverage Sponsor, helping us continue this statewide election project.
And now he’s helping take that work directly into Senate District 25 by hosting upcoming events where people can actually meet, talk with and question the candidates.
That is exactly the kind of grassroots involvement we need more of across Wisconsin.
Thank you, Craig, for putting in the work!
Get Out There!
If you live in SD25 — or know activists, hemp farmers, cannabis consumers or industry people who do — please share our Senate District 25 election coverage and get involved.
Don’t just vote in November.
Ask the candidates where they stand.
Ask them about Wisconsin hemp.
Ask them about HDC regulation.
Ask them about medical cannabis.
Ask them about adult-use legalization.
Ask them about decriminalization and expungement.
And most importantly, make sure they understand that Wisconsin’s cannabis and hemp communities are paying attention.
We will continue updating the Wisconsin Cannabinoid Network 2026 Election Coverage forum as new information and events become available.
View the Senate District 25 Election Coverage Forum
Let’s keep building the grassroots network district by district.
Protect Wisconsin Hemp.
Promote Cannabis Reform.
And make sure candidates know we’re paying attention.
Watch for upcoming events from 2026 Election Coverage Sponsor Ignite Dispensary and Cigar.
With the November election now less than 45 days away, there are two important SD25 events coming up that give people an opportunity to get involved and hear directly from the candidates and the local hemp/cannabis community. Charly Ray has an upcoming campaign/community event, while Craig Sutherland of Sutherland CBD is hosting a Cannabis & Conversation roundtable in Superior on September 23, bringing the local community together to discuss the issues facing hemp and cannabis.
These events are embedded below, so check them out, attend if you can, and help get the word out across SD25.
