Republican Katie Baney announced Thursday that she is running for Wisconsin’s 1st Senate District, seeking the seat being vacated by retiring Republican state Sen. André Jacque.
Baney, a De Pere resident and working mother, launched her campaign with a message centered on family issues, conservative values, and what she described as the need to protect northeastern Wisconsin from “political dysfunction.”
“As a mom, I refuse to sit on the sidelines while political dysfunction threatens the values and opportunities that make northeastern Wisconsin special,” Baney said in her campaign announcement. “I’m running to ensure this district remains the best place in Wisconsin to raise a family.”
A longtime conservative activist and policy aide, Baney brings experience from both state and federal government. A graduate of De Pere High School and the University of Wisconsin–Madison, Baney previously served as Student Regent on the Wisconsin Board of Regents after being appointed by former Gov. Scott Walker.
She later worked on Capitol Hill for the U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee under Sen. Ron Johnson and for the U.S. House Homeland Security Committee under former Chairman Mike Rogers. Baney also worked with the Republican Party of Wisconsin to help elect conservative candidates across the state.
For the past five years, Baney has worked for Delta Defense LLC, the service provider for the United States Concealed Carry Association, where she advocated for gun rights and self-defense issues.
In her announcement, Baney said her campaign would focus on affordability, taxes, parental rights, workforce issues, and education policy.
“I will be laser-focused on delivering results on the issues that matter most to Wisconsin families,” Baney said, citing the cost of living, property taxes, community safety, and what she called “preventing classroom indoctrination.”
Baney and her husband, Drew, live in De Pere and attend Spring Lake Church. If elected, she would become the first conservative woman to represent the 1st Senate District.
“It’s an incredible blessing to live in this country as we celebrate 250 years of American freedom and values. I look forward to meeting with voters across the district and earning their trust,” Baney said. “We have real work to do in Madison, and sometimes it just takes a mom to get it done.”
Baney joins an increasingly crowded Republican primary field that already includes Barb Bittner, Kell Bales, Jacob Vandenplas and Nic Cravillion. The primary election is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 11.
