John Nygren
John Nygren (Republican Party) was a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly, representing District 89. He assumed office in 2007. He left office on December 2, 2020.
Nygren (Republican Party) ran for re-election to the Wisconsin State Assembly to represent District 89. He won in the general election on November 3, 2020.
Nygren resigned on December 2, 2020, to begin work in the private sector.[1]
Biography
Nygren has worked as the owner of Great Lakes Insurance & Finance, the executive vice president of Junior Chamber International, and the president of Junior Chamber International United States.[2]
Committee assignments
2019-2020
Nygren was assigned to the following committees:
- Joint Legislative Council Committee
- Employment Relations Committee
- Joint Finance Committee, Co-Chair
- Employment Relations Committee
- Substance Abuse and Prevention Committee
- Finance Committee, Chair
- Audit Committee
- Joint Legislative Audit Committee
2017 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2017 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:
| Wisconsin committee assignments, 2017 |
|---|
| • Audit |
| • Employment Relations |
| • Finance, Chair |
| • Employment Relations |
| • Joint Finance, Co-chair |
| • Joint Legislative Audit |
| • Joint Legislative Council |
2015 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, Nygren served on the following committees:
| Wisconsin committee assignments, 2015 |
|---|
| • Finance, Chair |
| • Corrections |
| • Employment Relations |
| • Joint Finance, Co-Chair |
| • Joint Legislative Audit |
| • Joint Legislative Council |
2013-2014
At the beginning of the 2013 legislative session, Nygren served on the following committees:
| Wisconsin committee assignments, 2013 |
|---|
| • Audit |
| • Employment Relations |
| • Finance |
| • Employment Relations |
| • Joint Finance, Co-chair |
| • Joint Legislative Audit |
| • Joint Legislative Council |
2011-2012
During the 2011-2012 legislative session, Nygren served on these committees:
| Wisconsin committee assignments, 2011 |
|---|
| • Finance |
| • Joint Finance |
| • Insurance |
| • Joint Legislative Council |
2009-2010
During the 2009-2010 legislative session, Nygren served on these committees:
| Wisconsin committee assignments, 2009 |
|---|
| • Education |
| • Health and Healthcare Reform |
| • Insurance |
Online sales tax
In September 2013, Nygren supported the closing of an online sales tax loophole in order to cut income taxes in Wisconsin. "Research shows that if Congress closes the online sales tax loophole and Wisconsin uses the additional sales tax revenue to cut income taxes — as the state budget provision requires — our state will see over 23,000 new jobs and an additional $7.6 billion pumped into our economy,” Nygren wrote in an op-ed piece.[3]
Sponsored legislation
The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.
Elections
2020
See also: Wisconsin State Assembly elections, 2020
General election
General election for Wisconsin State Assembly District 89
Incumbent John Nygren defeated Karl Jaeger in the general election for Wisconsin State Assembly District 89 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | John Nygren (R) | 68.7 | 22,823 |
 | Karl Jaeger (D) | 31.2 | 10,374 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.0 | 10 | ||
| Total votes: 33,207 | |||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Wisconsin State Assembly District 89
Karl Jaeger advanced from the Democratic primary for Wisconsin State Assembly District 89 on August 11, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Karl Jaeger | 99.9 | 3,076 |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 4 | ||
| Total votes: 3,080 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Ken Holdorf (D)
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Wisconsin State Assembly District 89
Incumbent John Nygren defeated Andi Rich in the Republican primary for Wisconsin State Assembly District 89 on August 11, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | John Nygren | 83.4 | 5,189 |
 | Andi Rich | 16.6 | 1,032 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.0 | 1 | ||
| Total votes: 6,222 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Campaign finance
2018
- See also: Wisconsin State Assembly elections, 2018
General election
General election for Wisconsin State Assembly District 89
Incumbent John Nygren defeated Ken Holdorf in the general election for Wisconsin State Assembly District 89 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | John Nygren (R) | 66.9 | 17,091 |
 | Ken Holdorf (D) | 33.1 | 8,461 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 13 | ||
| Total votes: 25,565 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Wisconsin State Assembly District 89
Ken Holdorf advanced from the Democratic primary for Wisconsin State Assembly District 89 on August 14, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Ken Holdorf | 100.0 | 2,429 |
| Total votes: 2,429 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Wisconsin State Assembly District 89
Incumbent John Nygren advanced from the Republican primary for Wisconsin State Assembly District 89 on August 14, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | John Nygren | 100.0 | 5,747 |
| Total votes: 5,747 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2016
- See also: Wisconsin State Assembly elections, 2016
Elections for the Wisconsin State Assembly took place in 2016. The primary election took place on August 9, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was June 1, 2016.
Incumbent John Nygren defeated Heidi Fencl in the Wisconsin State Assembly District 89 general election.[4][5]
| Wisconsin State Assembly, District 89 General Election, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican |  John Nygren Incumbent |
68.21% | 19,429 | |
| Democratic | Heidi Fencl | 31.79% | 9,055 | |
| Total Votes | 28,484 | |||
| Source: Wisconsin Elections Commission | ||||
Heidi Fencl ran unopposed in the Wisconsin State Assembly District 89 Democratic primary.[6][7]
| Wisconsin State Assembly, District 89 Democratic Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Democratic | Heidi Fencl (unopposed) | |
Incumbent John Nygren ran unopposed in the Wisconsin State Assembly District 89 Republican primary.[6][7]
| Wisconsin State Assembly, District 89 Republican Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Republican | John Nygren Incumbent (unopposed) | |
2014
- See also: Wisconsin State Assembly elections, 2014
Elections for all 99 seats in the Wisconsin State Assembly took place in 2014. A primary election took place on August 12, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was June 2, 2014. Incumbent John Nygren was unopposed in the Republican primary. Nygren was unopposed in the general election,[8][9] and was re-elected for another term.[10]
2012
- See also: Wisconsin State Assembly elections, 2012
Nygren won re-election in the 2012 election for Wisconsin State Assembly District 89. Nygren ran unopposed in the Republican primary on August 14 and defeated Joe Reinhard in the general election on November 6, 2012.[11][12]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | John Nygren Incumbent |
59.1% | 16,081 | |
| Democratic | Joe Reinhard | 40.9% | 11,129 | |
| - | Scattering | 0.1% | 22 | |
| Total Votes | 27,232 | |||
2011 recall
Nygren announced on May 10 that he would run against Democratic state Sen. Dave Hansen in a recall election.[13] Mary Scray, vice chair of the Brown County Board, had considered running, but endorsed Nygren instead.[14][15] About 18,872 signatures were filed against Hansen on April 21, seeking his recall.
In announcing his candidacy, Nygren criticized Hansen for fleeing to Illinois to prevent a vote on the Scott Walker Budget Repair Bill. Nygren said Hansen "walked off the job, fled the state of Wisconsin, and literally turned his back on the people he swore an oath to represent."[16]
David VanderLeest, who organized the recall campaign, also declared for the seat.[17] VanderLeest and Nygren were to face off in a primary on July 19, with the winner facing Hansen in the recall on August 16. However, Nygren was removed from the ballot for insufficient valid signatures on his nomination papers. He contested the decision in circuit court, but it was upheld.[18]
Nominating papers challenged
The Democratic Party of Wisconsin filed challenges against the nominating papers of Nygren, Kim Simac, Robert Lussow and David VanderLeest on June 24. The Wisconsin Government Accountability Board considered the challenges on June 27,[19] certifying all of the candidates except for Nygren. While he turned in 424, the Board found only 398 of those to be valid, two short of the 400 necessary to make the ballot.[20]
Nygren did not file any correcting affidavits by the 27th, as was required by GAB regulations. Additionally, there was no explanatory response for controversial signatures. Nygren’s response to the challenges did contain many affidavits and responses, but did not seemingly cover all of the challenges filed by the Democratic Party. GAB staff used google maps and their laptops to go one-by-one through many of the signature challenges during the meeting. Before the board officially voted to certify only 398 signatures, the attorney for Nygren argued that Nygren should still be certified because two signatures is so minute, and that the policy should be one of the utmost ballot access.
Nygren appealed the GAB decision in circuit court,[21] but the original decision was upheld. Nygren blamed the outcome on “Democrat-appointed GAB staff that has constantly worked against me as I defended myself from the Democratic Party’s frivolous challenges.”[22]
Documents
- John Nygren nomination petitions
- Scott challenge against Nygren
- Democratic Party challenges against Nygren
- Nygren's response to challenges
- GAB staff analysis of challenge against Nygren
- Nygren challenge worksheet
- Tretow affidavit
- Shields affidavit
- Shields affidavit exhibit
Certification challenge delays
On May 27, 2011, the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board announced it would be unable to consider the recall petitions for the three Democratic incumbents at the May 31, 2011 meeting. Citing "numerous factual and legal issues," the Board said in its statement that more time is needed to ensure that a complete record will be available for examination -- particularly since the decision will likely be appealed to the courts.[23]
In its release, the GAB officials said they do not expect to be able to hold a hearing on the recalls of Democratic incumbents until the week of June 6. This raises potential legal issues, as the initial extension granted to GAB for certification required it to ultimately make determinations before June 3.[23]
The board went ahead with hearings on May 31 for the recalls of Republican incumbents Sheila Harsdorf, Robert Cowles and Alberta Darling.[24] Officials released a 125-page memo on May 27, 2011 concerning the signatures and legal challenges.
The GAB filed a brief on June 1 asking the court for a one-week extension, which would give them until June 10 to finish working on the three Democratic recalls. The case was heard in Dane County Court at 1:30 pm on Friday, June 3.[25][26] Dane County Judge John Markson ruled that there was good cause for the extension, and that the GAB did not violate any rules by taking up the petitions out of order.[27]
Ultimately, on June 8, after nearly 9 hours of deliberations, the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board certified the recalls of three Democratic incumbents and set an initial election for July 19.[28]
2010
- See also: Wisconsin State Assembly elections, 2010
Nygren was re-elected to Wisconsin State Assembly District 89. He defeated Democrat Bob Orwig in the general election on November 2, 2010. He was unopposed in the September 14, 2010, primary election.[29]
| Wisconsin State Assembly, District 89 General Election (2010) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | |||
| John Nygren (R)
|
15,788 | |||
| Bob Orwig (D) | 7,520 | |||
| Wisconsin State Assembly, District 89 Republican Primary (2010) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | Percent | ||
| John Nygren (R)
|
4,805 | 99.81 | ||
Campaign themes
2020
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
John Nygren did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.
2012
Nygren's website highlighted the following campaign themes:
- Jobs & The Economy - "We must invest in our people to ensure that they are properly trained for the jobs of today, and tomorrow. I support tax credits for employer assisted higher education so that employers might invest in its employees."
- Taxes - "Reducing our tax burden is a top priority. I will work to eliminate job and innovation killing taxes such as the Wisconsin’s Death Tax and Internet Tax."
- Government Spending - "A good place to start saving taxpayer money is to stop giving taxpayer-funded benefits (including free College tuition) to illegal aliens. I support legislation, vetoed by Governor Doyle, to stop illegal aliens from raiding our tax dollars."
- Healthcare - "People need access to information on hospitals and doctors in order to be smart consumers. Giving more power to health care users will help keep costs down as providers compete for their business. I will continue to support legislation that would require disclosure of these costs to you, the consumer."
- Gun rights - "I am a strong defender of the right of individuals to protect themselves, I oppose efforts by those who would trample on our constitutionally protected rights to keep and bear arms."
- Ethics and Campaign Finance - "Open, honest government is the only way to combat unethical political behavior. One way to ensure that our system is clean is full disclosure. If everyone can see what elected officials are doing, unethical behavior is reduced."
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
Personal
Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Nygren is a lifetime member and former national president of the Jaycees, former chair of the Marinette County Grand Old Party, and former President of the Marinette Kiwanis.[30]
Scorecards
A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.
Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.
Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of Wisconsin scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.
2020
In 2020, the Wisconsin State Legislature was in session from January 14 to May 13.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to labor policy.
- Legislators are scored on their stances on conservation issues.
- Legislators are scored on whether they voted for or against MMAC's position.
- Legislators are scored on their votes by the Wisconsin Professional Police Association on legislation related to Wisconsin's law enforcement community.
2019
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2019, click [show]. |
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In 2019, the Wisconsin State Legislature was in session from January 7, 2019 through January 13, 2020.
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2018
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2018, click [show]. |
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In 2018, the Wisconsin State Legislature was in session from January 16 through March 27. Special sessions were held from January 1 through February 27 and from March 15 through March 29.
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2017
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2017, click [show]. |
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In 2017, the Wisconsin State Legislature was in session from January 3 through December 31. There were also special sessions. The first special session was January 5. The second special session was August 1 through September 15.
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2016
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2016, click [show]. |
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In 2016, the Wisconsin State Legislature was in session from January 12 through March 15.
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2015
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2015, click [show]. |
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In 2015, the Wisconsin State Legislature was in session from January 5 through December 31.
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2014
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2014, click [show]. |
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In 2014, the Wisconsin State Legislature was in session from January 14 through June 4.
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2013
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2013, click [show]. |
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In 2013, the Wisconsin State Legislature was in session from January 7 to December 31.
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2012
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2012, click [show]. |
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In 2012, the Wisconsin State Legislature was in session from January 10 through March 16.
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See also
2020 Elections
External links
- Search Google News for this topic
- Profile from Open States
- Biography from Project Vote Smart
- Legislative Profile from Project Vote Smart
- Campaign Contributions: 2012, ***2010, 2008, 2006
- Representative Nygren's Freedom Speaks profile
Footnotes
- ↑ Green Bay Press Gazette, "State Rep. John Nygren resigns from Assembly weeks after winning reelection," December 1, 2020
- ↑ LinkedIn, "John Nygren," accessed December 8, 2020
- ↑ WatchDog.org, "Closing online sales tax loophole will create WI jobs," September 6, 2013
- ↑ Wisconsin Government Accountability Board, "Candidates on Ballot by Election - 2016 General Election - 11/8/2016," accessed November 4, 2016
- ↑ Wisconsin Elections Commission, "2016 Fall General Election Results," accessed December 2, 2016
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Wisconsin Government Accountability Board, "Candidate Tracking by Office," accessed June 20, 2016
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Wisconsin Elections and Ethics Commission, "2016 Partisan Primary," accessed September 16, 2016
- ↑ Wisconsin Government Accountability, "Candidates Registered by Office," June 11, 2014
- ↑ Wisconsin Government Accountability Board, "2014 Partisan Primary Candidates," accessed June 19, 2014
- ↑ Wisconsin Government Accountability Board, "Canvass Results for 2014 General Election," December 1, 2014
- ↑ Government Accountability Board, "2012 Fall Partisan Primary," accessed May 5, 2014
- ↑ Government Accountability Board, "2012 Fall General Election," accessed May 5, 2014
- ↑ Daily Reporter, "Wisconsin GOP assemblyman to run against Democratic senator in recall election," May 10, 2011
- ↑ Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Wisconsin Senate recall races tempt Assembly members," April 30, 2011
- ↑ Green Bay Press Gazette, "Republican Mary Scray withdraws from state Sen. Dave Hansen recall election," May 26, 2011
- ↑ Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "4th Assembly member announces recall candidacy," May 10, 2011
- ↑ WTAQ, "'Recall Dave Hansen' organizer running for Senate," May 22, 2011 (dead link)
- ↑ FOX 11, “Nygren’s name will not be on ballot,” July 1, 2011
- ↑ Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Challenges filed against 4 GOP candidates in recall races," June 25, 2011
- ↑ WisPolitics, “GAB kicks Nygren off the ballot,” June 27, 2011
- ↑ Wis Politics “Nygren vows to pursue further legal options,” June 27, 2011
- ↑ WisPolitics, “Nygren Campaign: Statement following Dane County court decision,” July 1, 2011
- ↑ 23.0 23.1 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Review of recall petitions going slowly; July 12 election in doubt," May 27, 2011
- ↑ Greenfield Reporter, "Wis. election officials delay decision on recall petitions for Dems, may need date change," May 27, 2011
- ↑ WisPolitics, "GAB formally asks judge for more time to consider recall petitions against Dems," June 1, 2011
- ↑ Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, "State board requests more time to review recall petitions," June 1, 2011
- ↑ NBC 15, "UPDATE: Judge Grants Week Extension for Recall Review," June 3, 2011
- ↑ WISN, “GAB Certifies 3 Democratic Recall Elections,” June 8, 2011 (dead link)
- ↑ Wisconsin Government Accountability Board, "Official 2010 Primary election results," accessed April 25, 2014
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedpvs - ↑ Wisconsin Family Action, "2015-2016 legislative scorecard," accessed May 31, 2017
- ↑ Wisconsin Family Action, "2015-2016 legislative scorecard," accessed May 31, 2017
- ↑ Wisconsin Family Action, "2015-2016 legislative scorecard," accessed May 31, 2017
- ↑ Wisconsin Family Action, "2015-2016 legislative scorecard," accessed May 31, 2017
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by John Gard (R) |
Wisconsin State Assembly District 89 2007–2020 |
Succeeded by Elijah Behnke (R) |
