Another Republican senator retires as their gerrymandered protection ends

Sens. Van Wanggaard of Racine, Rob Hutton of Brookfield, and Steve Nass of Whitewater head for the exits.

Republicans hold a three-seat majority in the Wisconsin State Senate, but there are now three Republicans who have decided to retire rather than risk serving in the minority if Democrats take control during the elections this November.

Sen. Van Wanggaard (R-Racine) announced Tuesday he would not seek another term for the seat he has held for the most part since being first elected in 2010. He joins Sen. Rob Hutton (R-Brookfield) and Sen. Steve Nass (R-Whitewater) in the queue to exit the Legislature.

Will Karcz of the State Senate Democratic Committee identified a trend.

“Whether we’re talking about the retirement of Rob Hutton, Stephen Nass, Senator Wanggaard, or any others who follow suit,” Karcz said, “it’s clear that members of the Republican caucus would rather retire than risk losing their seats or serving in a Republican minority.”  

Wanggard was facing a challenge from Democrat and Racine Transit Director Trevor Jung.

“I want to thank him for his years of service and wish him and his family well,” Jung said in a statement. “This news does not change the focus of this campaign, which has always been dedicated to the issues that matter most: making childcare and housing more affordable, supporting our public schools, and strengthening Wisconsin’s economy.”

Wanggaard first came to the Legislature after defeating incumbent Democratic Sen. John Lehman. Not quite midway through what should have been a four-year term, Wanggaard was one of four Republicans targeted for a recall election in the wake of their passage of Act 10, legislation designed to break up union rights for teachers and most public employees. Wanggaard was the only one to lose — to Lehman. Two years later, after Republicans drew new legislative maps giving them a disproportionate share of safe districts, Wanggaard was again elected and then reelected in 2018 and 2022.

This year marks the first election in 17 Senate districts since new maps were ordered drawn by the Wisconsin Supreme Court. In 2024, Democrats picked up five of the 16 seats contained in the new maps. Republicans currently hold an 18-15 majority, but Democrats may be able to take advantage of the GOP retirements to win back the gavel this fall.

Wanggaard is not the only Racine-area Republican to announce his departure this year. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) had previously announced he would not seek reelection. 

“Voters across Wisconsin are fed up with the dysfunction and lack of action we’ve seen from Senate Republicans. Democrats will win a majority in the Senate this November and get to work cutting costs, investing in our communities, and creating a strong future for our state,” Karcz said.