State Sen. André Jacque (R-De Pere), who has served Northeast Wisconsin in the Legislature for over 15 years, announced Tuesday that he will not seek a third term in the Wisconsin Senate, first reported by JR Ross of WisPolitics.
In a statement from his office, Jacque said his decision followed careful consideration with his family and friends.
It has been a blessing beyond anything I could have expected to serve the people of Northeast Wisconsin as their voice in the state legislature for the past 15-plus years. My passion for serving our community has not waned, but after much discussion with family and friends I have decided that I will not be seeking re-election to the State Senate this fall.
I am honored to have led the charge successfully to eliminate taxes on home utility bills, active-duty military pay, and Congressionally-chartered veterans service organizations, and thrilled to play integral roles within broad coalitions to expand Highway 41 and build the Southern Bridge, save Potawatomi Tower, move the coal piles, repair the Washington Island cable, and invest in clean water and Wisconsin’s court system. And of course, I am exceptionally proud of my efforts to protect the unborn, promote adoption, eliminate abortion subsidies and stay true to my values, as well as expand school choice.
Jacque, 45, was first elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2010 from District 2, which includes parts of Brown County. He served four terms from January 2011 to January 2019, winning re-election in 2012, 2014, and 2016. In 2018, he won the general election for the Wisconsin Senate’s 1st District, representing Door County, Kewaunee County, and parts of Brown County, after narrowly losing a special election earlier that year. He was re-elected to the Senate in 2022 and currently chairs the Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Veteran and Military Affairs, and serves on the Judiciary and Public Safety Committee, among others. Jacque is known for having one of the most uniquely decorated offices in the state capitol, full of sports memorabilia, including signed baseballs, game-used hockey sticks, and full game-worn gear from Chicago Bulls legend Horace Grant.
Before entering public office, Jacque worked as a transit planning coordinator for the Green Bay Area Transit system, served as a communications director, and worked as a grant-writing consultant, assisting municipalities and counties in securing funding for local projects.
During his legislative career, Jacque has focused on public safety, victims’ rights, support for families and children, veterans’ affairs, small-business regulation, and environmental policy. He has been a strong advocate for domestic violence prevention and child protection, authoring several bills to safeguard minors online and increase penalties for certain crimes. He has also contributed to Great Lakes policy as the immediate past chair of the Great Lakes/St. Lawrence River Legislative Caucus.
Jacque has received several awards, including the Wisconsin Coalition Against Domestic Violence Legislative Champion Award, Wisconsin District Attorneys’ Association Legislator of the Year, Wisconsin Professional Police Association and Wisconsin Chiefs of Police Association Legislator of the Year honors, the NFIB Guardian of Small Business Award, and the Wisconsin VFW Legislator of the Year award. He serves on the boards of Green Bay Area Crime Stoppers, the Van Handel Foundation for Families of Children with Special Needs, the Wisconsin Council on Domestic Abuse, and the Knights of Columbus. He is also a life member of the VFW Auxiliary.
Political observers note that Jacque’s decision opens the 1st Senate District, a competitive Northeast Wisconsin seat, to a crowded Republican primary ahead of the November 2026 election. It is widely speculated that state Representative Ron Tusler will run in Jacque’s place
