Kelly Peterson announces her campaign for State Senate District 2 in Appleton, April 18, 2024. PC: Fox 11 Online
APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — A former journalist launched her campaign for state senate in Appleton.
Kelly Peterson announced her candidacy in the newly drawn 2nd District, which includes portions of Outagamie, Shawano, Oconto and Menominee counties, Wednesday.
Peterson will go up against Republican incumbent Eric Wimberger.
“Madison isn’t working for the vast majority of working Wisconsinites,” said Kelly Peterson. “Families are searching for affordable, accessible childcare. Family farmers are continuing to be squeezed out of business. And time and time again, women are demanding that their representatives protect their fundamental right to bodily autonomy. But Madison, including Eric Wimberger, remains indignant to these problems, oftentimes acting in direct defiance. I’m running because your voice matters and if elected I’ll carry that voice to the State Capitol and deliver for hard working families across the 2nd District and Wisconsin.”
Earlier this month, Sen. Rob Cowles, the longest-serving incumbent in the Wisconsin Legislature, announced he will retire rather than run in a district now more favorable to Democrats or move under new district boundaries that take effect in November.
Under the new maps, Cowles was put in the same Green Bay-area Senate district as two other Republican incumbents: Sens. Andre Jacque and Wimberger.
Jacque isn’t up for reelection until 2026 and is currently running for the congressional seat vacated by U.S. Rep. Mike Gallagher.
Before being elected to office, Peterson was an award-winning journalist, winning four Emmys for her work producing documentaries on education, healthcare and human trafficking. Currently she’s a college educator and resides in De Pere with her husband, Chris, a 20-year air force veteran and stepson, Ryan.
The primary for the race is Aug. 13 with the general election Nov. 5.
Comments