MADISON, Wis. – Wisconsin State Senator Van Wanggaard (R-Racine) won’t seek re-election in the fall, citing personal and family health concerns.
““My head is telling me it’s time to retire” said Wanggaard in a statement. “My staff and colleagues worked with me to try to make something workable for the campaign and the next four years. But my health, and the health of my family will not allow me to put my all into this campaign, or serving the 21st District. After running for election 4 years ago, I’ve lost 3 siblings, my daughter was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer, and a brother had a heart attack and has dementia. That weighs on me more than you can know.”
The 73-year-old is the longest serving Republican state senator and is the only Republican ever to be elected to four terms as senator in the 21st District, which covers portions of southern Milwaukee and northern Racine Counties.
Wanggaard had alluded to his potential retirement in a video message posted just before Christmas, saying “my heart is telling me one thing and my head is telling me another.”
The decision means there will be three state senate Republicans not seeking re-election in November, following previous announcements by Rob Hutton (R-Brookfield) and Steve Nass (R-Whitewater).
Wanggaard was first elected to the state Senate in 2010; he was recalled in 2012 for his connection to then-Governor Scott Walker’s push to end collective bargaining in the state through Act 10, losing his seat to Democrat and 2010 opponent John Lehman. Wanggaard would then reclaim the seat in 2014.
