Born Wausau, June 16, 1950; married; 4 children, 3 grandchildren. Graduate Newman H.S. (Wausau); attended UW-Marathon County and Northcentral Tech. College. Former ginseng, dairy, and beef farmer. Served in Army Reserve 1968-74. Member: 7th Cong. District, Marathon, Wood, Taylor, Rusk, Sawyer, Price, Lincoln, Portage, and Shawano Co. Republican Parties; Farm Bureau; Natl. Rifle Assn.; Friends of Rib Mountain; Wausau Elks; Marathon Lions. Former member: Wis. Rifle and Pistol Assn.; Internatl. Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local #1791; Childcare Connection Bd.; DOT Law Enforcement Adv. Coun.; Marathon Co Hunger Coalition. Recipient: American Heart Assn. Legislator of the Year Award 2014; End Domestic Abuse Wis. Legislative Leader Award 2014; Wis. VFW Legislator of the Year Award 2014; Wis. Amer. Legion Legislator of the Year Award 2014; Wis. Vietnam Veterans Legislator of the Year Award 2002; Wis. Dept. of Veterans Affairs Certificate of Commendation 2005; Wis. Towns Assn. Friend of Wis. Towns Award 2014, 2011; Wis. Counties Assn. Outstanding Legislator Award 2014; Wis. Urban and Rural Transit Assn. Legislative Statesman of the Year 2014; Wis. Prof. Police Assn. Legislator of the Year Award 2014; Wis. Troopers Assn. Legislator of the Year Award 2014, 2003; Center for Driver’s License Recovery and Employability Legislative Champion Award 2014; State Bar of Wis. Scales of Justice Award 2014; Wis. Dental Assn. Champion Award 2013 & Award of Honor (Mission of Mercy) 2011; Wis. Academy of Family Physicians Friend of Family Medicine Award 2014; Amer. Academy of Pediatrics Childhood Legislative Advocate of the Year 2005; Wis. Council on Physical Disabilities Appreciation Award 2014; Wis. Electric Cooperatives Assn. Enlightened Legislator of the Year Award 2013; Wis. Farm Bureau Friend of Agriculture Award 2006, 2004; Wis. Dairy Business Assn. Award 2014, 2012, 2010, 2008; Wis. Grocers Assn. Friend of the Grocers Award 2014, 2012, 2008, 2006; WMC Working for Wisconsin Award 2014, 2012, 2002, 2000; MMAC Champion of Commerce Award 2014; Wis. Builders Assn. Friend of Housing Award 2013, 2006; Associated Builders and Contractors of Wis. Building Wisconsin Award 2014; State Farm Insurance Golden Car Seat Award 2007; Chiropractic Society of Wis. Legislator of the Year Award 2014; Allied Health Chiropractic Centers Commitment and Dedication to the Chiropractic Profession Award 2004; 3M Award of Appreciation 2001; Wis. Paper Council Champion of Paper Award 2007; UWSP Paper Science Foundation Friends of the Foundation Award 2005; The Amer. Conservative Union Defender of Liberty Award 2013; Wis. Ginseng Board Assistance to the Wis. Ginseng Industry Award 2005; Wis. Bear Hunters Assn. Hero Award 2014, 2012.
Elected to Assembly 1998-2010; elected to Senate in June 2012 special election; reelected 2014. Majority Caucus Sergeant at Arms 2003-2007. Biennial Senate committee assignments: 2015 — Transportation and Veterans Affairs (chp.); Economic Development and Commerce (vice chp.); Agriculture, Small Business, and Tourism (also 2013); Jt. Leg. Council (also 2013); Building Comn.; State Councils on: Military and State Relations; Highway Safety; Transportation Projects Commission. 2013 — Transportation, Public Safety, and Veterans and Military Affairs (chp.); Economic Development and Local Government (vice chp.); Financial Institutions and Rural Issues; State Council on Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children. Assembly committee assignments: 2011 — Transportation (chp., also 2007, vice chp. 2001-05, mbr. 2009, 1999); Public Health and Public Safety; Rural Economic Development and Rural Affairs; Veterans and Military Affairs (since 2007, also 1999-2003). 2009 — Renewable Energy and Rural Affairs. 2007 — Rural Affairs; State Affairs (since 1999); Gov.’s Council on Highway Safety (since 2003).
Telephone: Office: (608) 266-2502. E-mail: Sen.Petrowski@legis.wisconsin.gov
Voting address: Marathon 54448.
Mailing address: Office: Room 123 South, State Capitol, P.O. Box 7882, Madison 53707-7882.
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Content referencing Jerry Petrowski
Democrats Want Audit of Gableman’s 2020 Election Review
Request comes after Assembly Speaker Robin Vos called Gableman "an embarrassment."
Aug 11th, 2022 by Rich Kremer
Historic Turnover Will Change Legislature
Retirements, redistricting and members pursuing higher office could transform Legislature.
Mar 28th, 2022 by Steven Walters
Gableman, Vos Sign New Contract on Election Probe
Judge orders Gableman to release 700 pages of documents from probe.
Mar 9th, 2022 by Shawn Johnson
Natural Resources Board Chair Supports Republicans
Fred Prehn, Walker appointee who refuses to step down, gave $35.000 to GOP candidates.
Aug 18th, 2021 by Wisconsin Democracy Campaign
Where Are Act 10 Players Today?
Governor and three-fourths of legislators engaged in 2011 battle over law crushing public unions have moved on.
Mar 1st, 2021 by Steven Walters
Bill Gives Pay Parity to Public Defenders
Legislature okays 10% merit raise so state public defenders get same pay as prosecutors.
Feb 23rd, 2021 by Gretchen Schuldt
Could Hmong Voters Decide State Election?
They’re the largest Asian American group in Wisconsin, with varied views.
Oct 26th, 2020 by Rob Mentzer
Will Senate Act on Assembly-Passed Bills?
160 bills passed by Assembly haven’t gotten consideration by state Senate.
Apr 27th, 2020 by Steven Walters
State Adds 12 New Circuit Court Branches
Bill signed by Gov. Evers makes first additions in a decade.
Mar 7th, 2020 by Danielle Kaeding
The Path to Brad Pfaff’s Firing
Why GOP legislators shot down Agriculture Secretary. And why Evers was incensed.
Nov 11th, 2019 by Steven Walters
Legislators May Hike Public Defenders Pay
Plan would more closely align state public defenders’ pay with that of state prosecutors.
Nov 1st, 2019 by Laurel White
Bill Would Increase Public Defender Pay
Bipartisan legislation funds merit based pay increases for public defenders.
Sep 27th, 2019 by Danielle Kaeding
Evers’ Transportation Secretary Moves Toward Confirmation
But some GOP legislators concerned with appointee Craig Thompson's past as a lobbyist
Aug 9th, 2019 by Laurel White
Top Polluters Give to GOP Candidates
Waupaca Foundry and Mullins Cheese donated more than $16,000 to Republicans.
Mar 18th, 2019 by Wisconsin Democracy Campaign
Farmers, Environmentalists Applaud Water Quality Trading Bill
GOP bill would create a clearinghouse to trade credits from reducing water pollution.
Feb 28th, 2019 by Hope Kirwan
Outside Group Targets Republican Legislators
Will spend $1 million against four state senators, including Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald.
Oct 15th, 2018 by Wisconsin Democracy Campaign
Bill Suppresses Victim’s Mental Health Records
Defendant couldn’t request, jury couldn’t see records unless victim allows it.
Dec 19th, 2017 by Gretchen Schuldt
Kwik Trip Cashes in on Walker Support
Convenience store chain gave Walker $90,000, got $21 million from state jobs agency.
Dec 6th, 2017 by Wisconsin Democracy Campaign
Bill Would Change How Coops Operate
Backed by big donors, agriculture and electric cooperatives and propane dealers.
Oct 20th, 2017 by Wisconsin Democracy Campaign
State Jobs Agency Not Serving Northern Wisconsin?
High unemployment counties get little help and the main project has generated just 40 of 665 promised jobs.
Jun 1st, 2015 by Madeleine Behr
Stories From the State Capitol
Six vignettes tell the story of how the Senate passed the Right-to-Work bill.
Mar 2nd, 2015 by Steven Walters
Republicans Should Retain Legislature This Fall
Democrats hope to retake Senate but their chances don't look good.
Apr 23rd, 2014 by Bill Lueders
Casualties of War
The war over Act 10 may be a key reason 46% of legislators have left or will leave in just over two years.
Apr 14th, 2014 by Steven Walters
The Transit Agenda
Supporters headed to the State Capitol for "Public Transportation Day," meeting with legislators, promoting their agenda, and handing out awards.
Mar 7th, 2014 by Michael Horne
