MADISON — Rep. Jenna Jacobson (50th, D-Oregon) is running for Wisconsin’s 17th State Senate district.
“Today I announced my campaign for the 17th Senate District,” Jacobson said on Monday, July 7 at Ridgeway Elementary School, which closed in 2020. “It’s time the people of the 17th have a Senator that will fight for public education and put our hardworking families first, that’s what I’ve always done in the Assembly and I’m ready to take that fight to the Senate. It won’t be easy, but Howard Marklein has held this seat for too long and done far too little. Next November we’re going to send him packing.”
Jacobson joins the list of contenders looking to challenge incumbent Republican Howard Marklein.
Republicans hold an 18-15 majority in the state senate, and Marklein wields significant influence as part of the Joint Finance Committee. However, some of Marklein’s political grandstanding and tactics have come at the ire of those on the liberal end of the political spectrum — including Governor Tony Evers. Just last week the state’s Supreme Court dealt another blow to Marklein and Republicans, ruling that they overstepped their powers in trying to limit Evers powers to distribute funds and veto bills. However, Republicans and Evers came to a deal on a contentious state budget for 2025-2027.
In order to possibly flip the balance of power in the state legislature following 2024 redistricting — another case won by Evers — Democrats need to win at least two seats in the senate.
“This is a must-win seat if we are going to gain a Democratic majority in the Wisconsin State Senate,” Jacobson’s campaign donation page declared.
Jacobson joins Todd Larson of New Glarus among the candidates ready to campaign against Marklein. Seven candidates will meet for a candidate forum at noon on July 26 at the Hazel Green Opera House, 2130 N. Main Street.
As a representative of the 50th Assembly District, Jacobson already represents one-third of the district. Supporters say she is a battle-tested and proven candidate with a track record of delivering results.
As a member of the Wisconsin Assembly, she serves as the ranking member for the Committees on Agriculture and Sporting Heritage. She also serves on the Financial Institutions and Ways and Means Committees. Previously she has served on the Consumer Protection and Workforce Development Committees. In the Assembly she has focused on education, preserving our agricultural heritage, and fighting for rural communities.
Before being elected to the Assembly, she served on the Village of Oregon board where she chaired the Finance Committee and the Personnel & Public Safety Committee. As a Village Trustee, she served as the Vice-Chair of the Oregon Housing Coalition and on the Fire/EMS Commission, as well.
She earned a B.S. in Consumer Financial Planning from Purdue University after transferring from UW-River Falls. In her professional life, she was a Housing Program Specialist helping people secure and stay in stable housing. Before that she was a financial analyst. In her spare time, she volunteers at the local food pantry and coaches people on budgeting and credit counseling. Her and her husband Kyle live in Oregon with their three children.
“The work to win next November and take back the Senate majority starts now,” Jacobson said.
Working families deserve better, our kids deserve better, and the old way of doing business has been failing them both.”