Van H. Wanggaard (Rep.), 21st Senate District
Born Ft. Leavenworth, Kan., April 1952; married; 2 children, 2 grandchildren. Graduate Racine Lutheran H.S. 1970; Racine Police Academy; Wis. State Patrol Academy Accident Investigation; Northwestern U. Traffic Institute – Reconstruction; U.S. Coast Guard Natl. SAR School; attended John F. Kennedy U. Cal.; UW-Extension; UW-Parkside; Green Bay Tech. Coll.; Milw. Area Tech. Coll.; Fox Valley Tech. Coll. Full-time legislator. Retired traffic investigator, Racine Police Dept.; adjunct instructor, Gateway Tech. Coll. and Northwestern Traffic Institute; police liaison and security, Racine Unified School Dist. Member: Racine Zoological Soc. (bd. of dir.); National Rifle Assn. (life mbr.); Racine County Line Rifle Club (bd. of dir.); Racine Police Credit Union (fmr. pres., vice pres.); Former member: Racine Jaycees; Racine Police Explorers (adv.); Traffic Accident Consultants, Inc. (bd. of dir.); Assn. of SWAT Personnel; Racine Innovative Youth Service (bd.); Hostage Negotiation Team, RAPD; Racine Junior Deputy Sheriffs Assn.; Racine Alateen (adv.); Nat’l Assn. for Search and Rescue (psar. Chp.). Racine Police and Fire Commission 2003-13 (chp., vice chp., secy.). Racine County Bd. 2002-11.
Elected to Senate 2010; reelected 2014. Majority Caucus Vice Chairperson 2015. Biennial committee assignments: 2015 — Judiciary and Public Safety (chp.); Jt. Review Com. on Criminal Penalties (co-chp.); Labor and Government Reform; Elections and Local Government; Jt. Legislative Council. 2011 — Labor, Public Safety and Urban Affairs (chp.); Economic Development, Veterans and Military Affairs; Insurance and Housing; Natural Resources and Environment; Jt. Survey Com. on Retirement Systems.
Telephone: Office: (608) 266-1832; (866) 615-7510 (toll free).
E-mail: Sen.Wanggaard@legis.wisconsin.gov
Voting address: Racine 53405.
Mailing address: Office: Room 319 South, State Capitol, P.O. Box 7882, Madison 53707-7882.
Photos
Content referencing Van Wanggaard
Seeing the Writing On The Wall, Sen. Hutton Retires To Avoid Defeat
Jan 22nd, 2026 by Wisconsin State Senate Democratic Committee
Trevor Jung Outraised Sen. Wanggaard By Nearly $100K
Jan 22nd, 2026 by Wisconsin State Senate Democratic Committee
Under GOP Control, Abortion Rights Would Be First on the Chopping Block
SCOWIS Candidate Maria Lazar, GOP gubernatorial front runner Tom Tiffany, and numerous legislative candidates have all supported a six-week abortion ban or the state’s 1849 abortion ban.
Jan 21st, 2026 by Democratic Party of Wisconsin
Senators Hutton and Wanggaard Fail to Keep Pace With Democratic Opponents
Jan 16th, 2026 by Wisconsin State Senate Democratic Committee
Legislative Republicans Hold Meeting On Closing Rural Schools
Nov 11th, 2025 by Wisconsin State Senate Democratic Committee
Alderman Burgelis Responds to Senator Wanggaard’s Misguided and Misleading Attacks on Milwaukee
Sep 22nd, 2025 by Ald. Peter Burgelis
Sen. Larson letter to Sen. Wanggaard in response to his 9-19-25 press release
Sep 22nd, 2025 by State Sen. Chris Larson
Extension of COP house grant program will bolster communities
Statement from Alderwoman Andrea M. Pratt August 8, 2025
Aug 8th, 2025 by Ald. Andrea Pratt
District Attorney Kent Lovern’s Statement on the 2025-27 Biennial State Budget
Jul 10th, 2025 by Kent Lovern
Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley Statement on the 2025-27 Biennial Budget
Jul 3rd, 2025 by David Crowley
‘No, No, No, No, No, No, No, No, No, No, No, No, No, No, No, No, No, No, No, No, No, No, No, No, and No’
That’s Wisconsin Senate Republicans’ Response to Second Chances to Help Wisconsin Working People and Middle Class Families
Jul 2nd, 2025 by A Better Wisconsin Together
When politics take precedent over priorities, the people suffer
Statement from Alderman Lamont Westmoreland June 26, 2025
Jun 26th, 2025 by Ald. Lamont Westmoreland
Wisconsin Democrats on Joint Finance GOP Budget Vote
May 8th, 2025 by Democratic Party of Wisconsin
Rep. Shelia Stubbs Speaks in Favor of Assembly Bill 965 to Protect Judiciary
Feb 20th, 2024 by State Rep. Shelia Stubbs
Milwaukee National Lawyers Guild: Changes to Bail System do not Prevent Crime
Jan 7th, 2022 by National Lawyers Guild, Milwaukee Chapter
Vos and Wanggaard Continue to Gaslight Public on Foxconn Development
“Foxconn is failing to fulfill financial obligations in Mount Pleasant while local spending continues in preparation for a factory that is not happening.”
Feb 3rd, 2021 by A Better Mt. Pleasant
Troubling proposal seeks to harm cities that reduce funding for police
Statement of Alderman Khalif J. Rainey August 27, 2020
Aug 27th, 2020 by Ald. Khalif Rainey
Pilot project aims to put the brakes on reckless driving in Milwaukee
News conference set for Monday at 11 a.m. to launch unique public-private partnership called Operation Take it EZ Milwaukee
Jul 19th, 2019 by State Rep. Bob Donovan
The Battle to Sunset the Miller Park Tax is Finally Over
"I am happy to see this is finally happening."
Jun 20th, 2019 by State Sen. Tim Carpenter
Wisconsin Senate Sends Crime Victim Rights Amendment to Voters
Voters will weigh in on amendment during April 2020 election
May 15th, 2019 by U.S. Rep. Scott Fitzgerald
Gov. Evers Moves Forward on Plans to Close Lincoln Hills
"We are committed to getting kids out of Lincoln Hills and closer to home as soon as we safely and responsibly can."
Mar 12th, 2019 by Gov. Tony Evers
Senate Majority Leader Fitzgerald Announces Senate Standing Committees, Chairs
"I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Senate this session as we continue to pass reforms that put hard-working families first."
Dec 17th, 2018 by U.S. Rep. Scott Fitzgerald
Governor Walker Signs Bills to Create and Expand Outdoor Recreation, Attract Talent to Wisconsin, and Improve Medical Assistance
93 bills signed into law at the Wisconsin State Capitol
Apr 16th, 2018 by Gov. Scott Walker
Governor Walker Signs Bills on Improving Family Access to High-Quality Child Care, Creating Transitional Jobs Program for Wisconsin Veterans, and Increasing Funding for Watershed Protection Grants
Governor Walker signs 64 bills into law at the Wisconsin State Capitol
Apr 3rd, 2018 by Gov. Scott Walker
Mayor Tom Barrett Applauds Passage of Bill Prohibiting Straw Purchasing
Senate Bill 408 criminalizes gun purchases on behalf of felons and acting as ‘human holster’
Mar 28th, 2018 by Tom Barrett
Bill usurps authority of Milwaukee citizens and could bring financial hardship to taxpayers
Statement of Alderman Michael J. Murphy - February 19, 2018
Feb 19th, 2018 by Ald. Michael Murphy
Governor Walker Announces Plan to Provide a Long-Term Solution for Wisconsin’s Juvenile Corrections and Treatment Systems
"Republicans and Democrats alike agree this is the way forward to reform juvenile corrections..."
Jan 4th, 2018 by Gov. Scott Walker
With Elections Just a Year Away, Legislature Abandons Wisconsin Families
Industrial Acid Mining Bill Will Put Public Health at Risk for Generations
Nov 8th, 2017 by Wisconsin Conservation Voters
Leah unveils 100+ Wisconsin endorsements
Elected officials, grassroots activists and business owners unite behind Leah
Nov 2nd, 2017 by State Sen. Leah Vukmir
Proposed state law would reduce local control over Milwaukee’s Fire and Police Commission
Statement of Alderman Michael J. Murphy - November 1, 2017
Nov 1st, 2017 by Ald. Michael Murphy
Bill to Limit Shackling of Incarcerated Women during Labor and Childbirth Passes Senate Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety
SB 393 would restrict shackling of incarcerated women during labor and childbirth.
Oct 24th, 2017 by State Rep. Lisa Subeck
The Water Council Supports the Wisconsin WINS Act
The Wisconsin WINS Act will help transform economic growth in communities across Wisconsin.
Oct 19th, 2017 by The Water Council
Representative Subeck Testifies on Bill to Limit Shackling of Incarcerated Women during Labor and Childbirth
"We must put an end to this inhumane practice."
Oct 19th, 2017 by State Rep. Lisa Subeck
Governor Walker Signs Legislation Allowing Wisconsinites to Use Cannabidiol Oil to Treat Medical Conditions
This bill builds upon 2013 Wisconsin Act 267.
Apr 17th, 2017 by Gov. Scott Walker
Governor Walker Appoints Racine County Judge
"I am pleased to appoint Robert Repischak as a Racine County judge."
Feb 23rd, 2017 by Gov. Scott Walker
Methamphetamine Abuse in Wisconsin Expands 250 Percent
Wisconsin DOJ, FBI, DEA, and Marshfield Clinic Brief Legislators
Feb 9th, 2017 by Brad Schimel
Senator Fitzgerald Reelected Majority Leader
“I am honored to once again be representing this group of outstanding conservative leaders and thrilled to be growing our ranks for the upcoming legislative session.”
Nov 10th, 2016 by U.S. Rep. Scott Fitzgerald
Vonco Products Relocating from Northern Illinois to Kenosha County
Manufacturing facility, headquarters to be located in Town of Salem
Oct 27th, 2016 by Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation
Governor Walker Signs Legislation to Protect Wisconsin’s Children Against Internet Crimes
“Alicia’s Law” gives hope to victims and works to prevent future victims
Apr 19th, 2016 by Gov. Scott Walker
Governor Scott Walker Signs 58 Bills Into Law
Acts 200 - 257.
Mar 1st, 2016 by Gov. Scott Walker
Governor Scott Walker Signs 46 Bills Into Law
Acts 154 - 199.
Feb 29th, 2016 by Gov. Scott Walker
Top 5 false claims made by local ID supporters
Voces de la Frontera apparently can’t handle the truth.
Feb 18th, 2016 by State Rep. Joe SanfelippoProposal to Transform Delivery of Local Veterans Services a Bad Idea
“I know that the authors of this proposal believed they were putting forward a proposal built through consensus which is simply not true.”
Jan 26th, 2016 by Jon Erpenbach and Gordon Hintz
What will it take to get Republican leaders to intervene?
Reports of child abuse, sexual assault not enough to spur GOP investigation
Dec 18th, 2015 by State Sen. Jennifer Shilling
Governor Scott Walker Signs 49 Bills Into Law
Governor Scott Walker signed 49 bills into law today at the Wisconsin State Capitol.
Nov 11th, 2015 by Gov. Scott Walker
AFP Applauds Occupational Licensure Reform
Bill Expands Access to Opportunity for Wisconsin Entrepreneurs
Oct 28th, 2015 by AFP Wisconsin
