Wisconsin Senate

Last updated
Wisconsin Senate
Wisconsin State Legislature
Seal of Wisconsin.svg
Type
Type
Term limits
None
History
New session started
January 3, 2023
Leadership
President
Chris Kapenga (R)
since January 4, 2021
President pro tempore
Patrick Testin (R)
since January 4, 2021
Majority Leader
Devin LeMahieu (R)
since January 4, 2021
Minority Leader
Dianne Hesselbein (D)
since December 1, 2023
Structure
Seats33
WI Senate 20240126.svg
Political groups
Majority
  •    Republican (22)

Minority

Vacancy

  •   Vacant (1)
Length of term
4 years
AuthorityArticle IV, Wisconsin Constitution
Salary$57,408/year + $115 per diem [1]
Elections
Last election
November 3, 2020
(16 seats)
Last election
November 6, 2022
(17 seats)
Next election
November 5, 2024
(16 seats)
Next election
November 3, 2026
(17 seats)
Meeting place
StateSenateChamberWI.jpg
State Senate Chamber
Wisconsin State Capitol
Madison, Wisconsin
Website
Wisconsin State Senate
The Senate chamber seen from the gallery Secretary Pompeo Delivers Remarks in the Senate Chamber of the Wisconsin State Capitol (50378281008).jpg
The Senate chamber seen from the gallery

The Wisconsin Senate is the upper house of the Wisconsin State Legislature. Together with the Wisconsin State Assembly they constitute the legislative branch of the state of Wisconsin. The powers of the Wisconsin Senate are modeled after those of the U.S. Senate.

Contents

The Wisconsin Constitution ties the size of the State Senate to that of the Assembly, by limiting its size to no less than 1/4, nor more than 1/3, of the size of the Assembly. Currently, Wisconsin is divided into 33 Senate Districts (1/3 of the current Assembly membership of 99) apportioned throughout the state based on population as determined by the decennial census, for a total of 33 senators. A Senate district is formed by combining three Assembly districts. Similar to the U.S. Senate, in addition to its duty of reviewing and voting on all legislation passed through the legislature, the State Senate has the exclusive responsibility of confirming certain gubernatorial appointments, particularly cabinet secretaries and members of boards and commissions. Senators are elected for four-year terms, staggered so that approximately half of the Senate is up for election every two years. If a vacancy occurs in a Senate seat between elections, it may be filled only by a special election. The Senate chamber is in the south wing of the Wisconsin State Capitol, in Madison. In February 2024, the legislative maps of the Senate, along with the State Assembly, were redrawn following a court decision that found them to be unconstitutionally gerrymandered in favor of Republicans. [2]

Salary and benefits

The salary of all legislators serving in the 2023 Wisconsin Legislature is $57,408, which is an increase of 4% from the previous biennium. In addition to salaries, senators outside Dane County may receive a per diem up to $115 to cover living expenses while they are in Dane County on state business. Members of the Dane County delegation may receive a per diem of half the amount to cover expenses.

Current session

Composition

10122
DemocraticRepublican
AffiliationParty
(Shading indicates majority caucus)
Total
Democratic Republican Vacant
Begin 100th Legislature (2011)1419330
End 100th (2012)1716
Begin 101st (2013)1518330
End 101st (2014)17321
Begin 102nd (2015)1418321
End 102nd (2016)18321
Begin 103rd (2017)1320330
End 103rd (2018)1518330
Begin 104th (2019)1419330
End 104th (2020)1318312
Begin 105th (2021)1220321
End 105th (2022)21330
Begin 106th (2023) [3] 1121321
May 3, 2023 [4] 22330
Jan. 26, 2024 [5] 10321
Latest voting share

Senate officers

PositionName
President of the Senate Chris Kapenga
President Pro Tempore of the Senate Patrick Testin
Majority leader Devin LeMahieu
Assistant Majority Leader Dan Feyen
Majority Caucus Chair Van Wanggaard
Majority Caucus Vice Chair Joan Ballweg
Minority Leader Dianne Hesselbein
Assistant Minority Leader Jeff Smith
Minority Caucus Chair Chris Larson
Minority Caucus Vice Chair Mark Spreitzer
Chief ClerkRichard Champagne (acting)
Sergeant-at-Arms Tom Engels

Members

DistrictSenatorPartyResidenceCurrent ageFirst electedNext election
01 André Jacque Rep De Pere 4320182026
02 Robert Cowles Rep Green Bay 7419872024
03 Tim Carpenter Dem Milwaukee 6420022026
04 Dora Drake Dem Milwaukee 3120242024
05 Rob Hutton Rep Brookfield 5720222026
06 La Tonya Johnson Dem Milwaukee 5220162024
07 Chris Larson Dem Milwaukee 4320102026
08 Dan Knodl Rep Germantown 6520232024
09 Devin LeMahieu Rep Oostburg 5220142026
10 Rob Stafsholt Rep New Richmond 4820202024
11 Stephen Nass Rep Whitewater 7120142026
12 Mary Felzkowski Rep Irma 6020202024
13 John Jagler Rep Watertown 5420212026
14 Joan Ballweg Rep Markesan 7220202024
15 Mark Spreitzer Dem Beloit 3720222026
16 Melissa Agard Dem Monona 5520202024
17 Howard Marklein Rep Spring Green 6920142026
18 Dan Feyen Rep Fond du Lac 5620162024
19 Rachael Cabral-Guevara Rep Appleton 4820222026
20 Duey Stroebel Rep Saukville 6420152024
21 Van H. Wanggaard Rep Racine 7220142026
22 Robert Wirch Dem Somers 8019962024
23 Jesse James Rep Altoona 5220222026
24 Patrick Testin Rep Stevens Point 3620162024
25 Romaine Quinn Rep Cameron 3420222026
26 Kelda Roys Dem Madison 4520202024
27 Dianne Hesselbein Dem Middleton 5320222026
28 Julian Bradley Rep Franklin 4320202024
29 Cory Tomczyk Rep Mosinee 6120222026
30 Eric Wimberger Rep Green Bay 4520202024
31 Jeff Smith Dem Brunswick 6920182026
32 Brad Pfaff Dem Onalaska 5620202024
33 Chris Kapenga Rep Delafield 5220152026

Notable past members

List of senate presidents

#PresidentPartyStart of serviceEnd of service
1 Fred Risser Democratic May 1, 1979April 20, 1993
2 Brian Rude Republican April 20, 1993July 9, 1996
- Fred Risser Democratic July 9, 1996April 21, 1998
- Brian Rude Republican April 21, 1998January 4, 1999
- Fred Risser Democratic January 4, 1999January 6, 2003
3 Alan Lasee Republican January 6, 2003January 8, 2007
- Fred Risser Democratic January 8, 2007January 3, 2011
4 Mike Ellis Republican January 3, 2011July 17, 2012
- Fred Risser Democratic July 17, 2012January 7, 2013
- Mike Ellis Republican January 7, 2013January 5, 2015
5 Mary Lazich Republican January 5, 2013January 3, 2017
6 Roger Roth Republican January 3, 2017January 4, 2021
7 Chris Kapenga Republican January 4, 2021present


Past composition of the Senate

See also

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References

  1. "Salaries of Wisconsin State Elected Officials, 2023" (PDF). Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
  2. "Wisconsin's Democratic governor signs his new legislative maps into law after Republicans pass them". AP News. 2024-02-19. Retrieved 2024-02-19.
  3. Republican Alberta Darling (District 8) resigned December 1, 2022, retiring from public life.
  4. Republican Dan Knodl elected to succeed Darling.
  5. Democrat Lena Taylor (District 4) resigned after being appointed to the Milwaukee Circuit Court.

43°04′27.5″N89°23′03.0″W / 43.074306°N 89.384167°W / 43.074306; -89.384167