State Senator Andre Jacque’s 16-year political career will come to an end in November.
The New Franken legislator began his political career in 2010, when he first put his name on a ballot to represent Wisconsin’s 2nd Assembly District.
After eight years in the assembly, Sen. Jacque turned his attention to the Senate, and was selected to represent the 1st Senate District in 2018.
Over his time in Madison, Sen. Jacque has been responsible for crafting over 100 bills which have since been signed into law, including the likes of Dillon’s Law, the John Mingo Kennedy Act, Ethan’s Law, Post-Traumatic Stress coverage for first responders, the recently-enacted stillbirth tax credit.
Sen. Jacque said of his time in office, “My constituents have been the driving force behind bringing so many of these ideas to the legislature’s attention, and I am grateful that they have trusted me with their stories, often borne out of great loss and suffering, to enact meaningful, effective, and even life-saving change.”
He called serving Eastern Wisconsin, “a blessing beyond anything I could have expected.”
Photo Credit – New Hope Center
Sen. Jacque thanked not only his constituents, but also his family. He tells SeehaferNews.com, “I could not make a positive difference to the same extent I have without the love and sacrifice first and foremost of my wife Renée and our 7 kids, my parents and in-laws, extremely talented and dedicated staff, colleagues, constituents, and the efforts and friendship of so many that God has placed on my path along the way… I have been greatly blessed, and God’s not done with me yet. To all who have believed in giving me this opportunity – thank you, and God bless you!”
Senator Andre Jacque’s full statement can be read below.
“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.
This past session has again been exceedingly productive for the 1st Senate District and myself, and I was privileged to be the lead Senate author of more than 20 impactful new state laws plus several other initiatives within the state budget and state agencies, part of now over 100 enacted laws I’ve written across both chambers with governors of both parties throughout my legislative service. My constituents have been the driving force behind bringing so many of these ideas to the legislature’s attention, and I am grateful that they have trusted me with their stories, often borne out of great loss and suffering, to enact meaningful, effective, and even life-saving change. Their ideas have become landmark improvements in Wisconsin’s statutes, some of which have been copied in other states – measures like Dillon’s Law, the John Mingo Kennedy Act, Ethan’s Law, Post-Traumatic Stress coverage for first responders, the just-enacted stillbirth tax credit, informed consent for pelvic exams and much more.
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.
I would like to give special appreciation to our law enforcement personnel, who have played an integral role in our success in writing laws that protect child victims and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking, and crack down on drug trafficking, internet crimes against children, gang violence and retail theft. Likewise, my partners in local government who identified opportunities to eliminate a wide variety of unfunded mandates and bureaucratic overreach and streamline government operations, as well as expand Youth Apprenticeship and other workforce initiatives and enable brownfield redevelopment. And finally, to the advocates who helped me increase opportunities for the disabled, improve autism treatment, implement protections for the developmentally disabled, and address benefit cliffs.
I could not make a positive difference to the same extent I have without the love and sacrifice first and foremost of my wife Renée and our 7 kids, my parents and in-laws, extremely talented and dedicated staff, colleagues, constituents and the efforts and friendship of so many that God has placed on my path along the way. I will be forever grateful for their incredible support to be able to live my dreams.
I look forward to continuing my efforts for our state and community through so many outstanding non-profit groups, including roles with Catholic Engagement and the Greater Green Bay YMCA, and as a board member for Green Bay Area Crimestoppers, the Paul Van Handel Memorial Foundation for families of children with special needs, and the Friends of PALS, Youth and Families for Brown County’s at-risk youth.
I am excited to assist my constituents and finish my term strong through the end of this year. This is not farewell – there is still much to be done and I will always work for a brighter future for our state and the advancement of those worthy ideas that never quite made it all the way through the legislative process. I do not yet know all of what will come next, but I do know this: I have been greatly blessed, and God’s not done with me yet. To all who have believed in giving me this opportunity – thank you, and God bless you!”
