Andre Jacque (Official Photo)
(WTAQ-WLUK) — State Sen. Andre Jacque’s announcement Thursday he won’t seek reelection adds another name to the growing list of incumbent Republicans in the Wisconsin Legislature who won’t be on ballots this November.
Jacque says it’s time for him to look at other career opportunities.
“I’ve had to pass on other opportunities to continue serving in the Legislature in the past,” said Jacque, whose 1st Senate District covers all of Door and Kewaunee counties, as well as parts of Brown, Calumet, Manitowoc and Outagamie counties. “Financially, it gets to be a little more of a strain, the larger the family gets. I would say that certainly played a significant role.”
This father of seven is now the sixth Republican senator to announce they’re stepping away.
In the Assembly, eight Republicans have said they won’t seek reelection. That compares to just three Democrats in that chamber, who are all running for promotions — two for Senate seats and Francesca Hong for governor.
Senate Republicans who’ve said they won’t run for reelection include:
- Devin LeMahieu – 9th Senate District
- Rob Hutton – 5th Senate District
- Jesse James – 23rd Senate District
- Andre Jacque – 1st Senate District
- Steve Nass – 11th Senate District
- Van Wanggaard – 21st Senate District
Assembly Republicans who’ve said they won’t run for reelection include:
- Robin Vos – 33rd Assembly District
- Scott Allen – 82nd Assembly District
- Rob Brooks – 59th Assembly District
- Rick Gundrum – 58th Assembly District
- Dean Kaufert – 53rd Assembly District
- Dave Murphy – 56th Assembly District
- Jerry O’Connor – 60th Assembly District
- Kevin Peterson – 57th Assembly District
Assembly Democrats who’ve said they won’t run for reelection include:
- Francesca Hong – 76th Assembly District (running for governor)
- Jenna Jacobson – 50th Assembly District (seeking Senate seat)
- Robyn Vining – 13th Assembly District (seeking Senate seat)
Jacque, who was redistricted to a different seat than the one he won four years ago, doesn’t believe there’s a specific reason more Republicans are choosing not to run again.
“I’ve been through cycles when there’s very few retirements, and then when there have been quite a few on both sides of the aisle,” said Jacque.
Two of the announced candidates for Jacque’s district see it differently.
“I think they’re deciding not to run because they can’t see themselves be treated the way they’ve treated other people the last 15 years,” said Mark Becker. “Seeing themselves in the minority is something they just can’t stomach.”
Becker is running as an independent, but says it’s likely been almost 10 years since he voted for any Republican after serving as that party’s chair in Brown County from 2013-2015.
“I think we will not have a Republican majority in the Assembly or the Senate this upcoming November,” said Becker. “The people are going to speak.”
“I never left the Republican Party,” said Jacob VandenPlas. “I felt like the Republican Party had left me.”
VandenPlas is running as a Republican after he says he made a tactical move to run for U.S. Congress as a Libertarian in 2022. He believes Republicans can find success if they refocus, particularly on veterans and farmers.
“We have one mouth and two ears for a reason,” said VandenPlas. “So, if we’re being honest and genuine about listening to the complaints and issues of our constituents, we should be alright.”
Kelly “Kell” Bales announced Thursday a run for Jacque’s seat as a Republican. A Democrat who was running in the district has reportedly dropped out of the race.
Of Wisconsin’s 33 Senate seats, the 17 odd numbered districts are up for re-election in November. Democrats need to take two seats to be in the majority. In the Assembly, all 99 seats are up every two years. Democrats need to take five seats to have the majority.
Republicans have controlled both chambers the past 16 years — the entirety of Jacque’s time in state office.
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