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Wisconsin State Assembly District 89

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Wisconsin State Assembly District 89
Incumbent
Assumed office: January 6, 2025

Wisconsin State Assembly District 89 is represented by Ryan Spaude (D).

As of the 2020 Census, Wisconsin state representatives represented an average of 59,570 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 57,558 residents.

About the office

Members of the Wisconsin State Assembly serve two-year terms and are not subject to term limits. Wisconsin legislators assume office the first Monday in January following the election, unless the first Monday of January falls on January 1 or 2. In those cases, legislators assume office on January 3.[1]

Qualifications

See also: State legislature candidate requirements by state

Section 6 of Article 4 of the Wisconsin Constitution states, "No person shall be eligible to the legislature who shall not have resided one year within the state, and be a qualified elector in the district which he may be chosen to represent."[2]


Salaries

See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries
State legislative salaries, 2024[3]
SalaryPer diem
$57,408/year$140/day for senators. Dane County senators are allowed half that amount. $155.70/day (with overnight) or $77.85/day (no overnight) for representatives. Dane County representatives receive only $77.85/day.

Vacancies

See also: How vacancies are filled in state legislatures

If there is a vacancy in the Wisconsin State Legislature, a special election must be held to fill the vacant seat.[4] The governor can call for an election when allowed by law. The election cannot be held after February 1 before a spring general election, unless it is held on the same day of the election, which is the first Tuesday in April. The same requirement applies to any election preceding the fall general election (after August 1), with the exception of elections held on the first Tuesday in November.[5] Also, all vacancies must be filled quickly as long the vacancy happened before the second Tuesday in May during an election year.[6]

DocumentIcon.jpg See sources: Wisconsin Cons. Art. IV, § 14


District map

Redistricting

2020 redistricting cycle

See also: Redistricting in Wisconsin after the 2020 census

On February 19, 2024, Gov. Tony Evers (D) signed Senate Bill 488 into law, adopting new Wisconsin legislative maps.[7] The maps were approved by majority votes in both chambers of Wisconsin's state legislature on February 13. The state Senate voted 18-14 in favor of adopting the new legislative maps, while the state Assembly vote total was 63-33.

In the 2023 Wisconsin Supreme Court election, Janet Protasiewicz had defeated Daniel Kelly, changing the balance of the court from a conservative to a liberal majority for the first time in 15 years.[8][9] Later that year on December 22, 2023, the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled in a 4-3 vote that the state's legislative maps were unconstitutional and ordered new maps to be drawn before the 2024 election.[10] The court rejected the least change approach the conservative majority had adopted for the 2022 maps and ruled that the new maps must satisfy the state constitution's contiguity requirements.[11]

How does redistricting in Wisconsin work? In Wisconsin, both congressional and state legislative district boundaries are drawn by the Wisconsin State Legislature. These lines are subject to veto by the governor.[12]

The Wisconsin Constitution requires that state legislative districts be compact and "that they be bounded by county, precinct, town, or ward lines where possible." The state constitution further stipulates that state legislative districts should be contiguous.[12]

Below are the maps in effect before and after the 2020 redistricting cycle. The map on the right was in effect for Wisconsin's 2024 state legislative elections.

Wisconsin State Assembly District 89
before 2020 redistricting cycle

Click a district to compare boundaries.

Wisconsin State Assembly District 89
after 2020 redistricting cycle

Click a district to compare boundaries.

Elections

2024

See also: Wisconsin State Assembly elections, 2024

General election

General election for Wisconsin State Assembly District 89

Ryan Spaude defeated Patrick Buckley in the general election for Wisconsin State Assembly District 89 on November 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Ryan Spaude
Ryan Spaude (D)
 
51.3
 
15,169
Patrick Buckley (R)
 
48.5
 
14,343
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.2
 
47

Total votes: 29,559
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Wisconsin State Assembly District 89

Ryan Spaude advanced from the Democratic primary for Wisconsin State Assembly District 89 on August 13, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Ryan Spaude
Ryan Spaude
 
99.8
 
4,844
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.2
 
9

Total votes: 4,853
Candidate Connection = 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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Republican primary election

Republican primary for Wisconsin State Assembly District 89

Patrick Buckley advanced from the Republican primary for Wisconsin State Assembly District 89 on August 13, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Patrick Buckley
 
99.4
 
4,694
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.6
 
29

Total votes: 4,723
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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2022

See also: Wisconsin State Assembly elections, 2022

General election

General election for Wisconsin State Assembly District 89

Incumbent Elijah Behnke defeated Jane Benson in the general election for Wisconsin State Assembly District 89 on November 8, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Elijah Behnke
Elijah Behnke (R)
 
66.5
 
17,514
Image of Jane Benson
Jane Benson (D)
 
33.4
 
8,800
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.1
 
15

Total votes: 26,329
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Wisconsin State Assembly District 89

Jane Benson advanced from the Democratic primary for Wisconsin State Assembly District 89 on August 9, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Jane Benson
Jane Benson
 
99.8
 
2,583
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.2
 
4

Total votes: 2,587
Candidate Connection = 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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Republican primary election

Republican primary for Wisconsin State Assembly District 89

Incumbent Elijah Behnke advanced from the Republican primary for Wisconsin State Assembly District 89 on August 9, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Elijah Behnke
Elijah Behnke
 
99.5
 
7,331
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.5
 
36

Total votes: 7,367
Candidate Connection = 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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2021

See also: Wisconsin state legislative special elections, 2021

A special election for Wisconsin State Assembly District 89 was called for April 6, 2021. A primary took place on February 16, 2021. The candidate filing deadline was January 8, 2021.[13]

The seat became vacant on December 2, 2020, after John Nygren (R) resigned his seat to work in the private sector.[14]

General election

Special general election for Wisconsin State Assembly District 89

Elijah Behnke defeated Karl Jaeger in the special general election for Wisconsin State Assembly District 89 on April 6, 2021.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Elijah Behnke
Elijah Behnke (R)
 
63.2
 
8,129
Image of Karl Jaeger
Karl Jaeger (D) Candidate Connection
 
36.8
 
4,732
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.1
 
7

Total votes: 12,868
Candidate Connection = 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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Democratic primary election

Special Democratic primary for Wisconsin State Assembly District 89

Karl Jaeger advanced from the special Democratic primary for Wisconsin State Assembly District 89 on February 16, 2021.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Karl Jaeger
Karl Jaeger Candidate Connection
 
99.9
 
1,376
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.1
 
1

Total votes: 1,377
Candidate Connection = 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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Republican primary election

Special Republican primary for Wisconsin State Assembly District 89

Elijah Behnke defeated Mike Kunesh, Debbie Jacques, Michael Schneider, and David Kamps in the special Republican primary for Wisconsin State Assembly District 89 on February 16, 2021.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Elijah Behnke
Elijah Behnke
 
44.7
 
1,691
Image of Mike Kunesh
Mike Kunesh
 
23.2
 
875
Debbie Jacques
 
20.9
 
789
Michael Schneider
 
7.0
 
264
David Kamps
 
4.2
 
160

Total votes: 3,779
Candidate Connection = 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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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
Image of John Nygren
John Nygren (R)
 
68.7
 
22,823
Image of Karl Jaeger
Karl Jaeger (D)
 
31.2
 
10,374
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.0
 
10

Total votes: 33,207
Candidate Connection = 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
Image of Karl Jaeger
Karl Jaeger
 
99.9
 
3,076
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.1
 
4

Total votes: 3,080
Candidate Connection = 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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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

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
Image of John Nygren
John Nygren
 
83.4
 
5,189
Image of Andi Rich
Andi Rich
 
16.6
 
1,032
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.0
 
1

Total votes: 6,222
Candidate Connection = 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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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
Image of John Nygren
John Nygren (R)
 
66.9
 
17,091
Image of Ken Holdorf
Ken Holdorf (D) Candidate Connection
 
33.1
 
8,461
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.1
 
13

Total votes: 25,565
Candidate Connection = 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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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
Image of Ken Holdorf
Ken Holdorf Candidate Connection
 
100.0
 
2,429

Total votes: 2,429
Candidate Connection = 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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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
Image of John Nygren
John Nygren
 
100.0
 
5,747

Total votes: 5,747
Candidate Connection = 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.[15][16]

Wisconsin State Assembly, District 89 General Election, 2016
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Republican Green check mark transparent.png 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.[17][18]

Wisconsin State Assembly, District 89 Democratic Primary, 2016
Party Candidate
    Democratic Green check mark transparent.png Heidi Fencl  (unopposed)


Incumbent John Nygren ran unopposed in the Wisconsin State Assembly District 89 Republican primary.[17][18]

Wisconsin State Assembly, District 89 Republican Primary, 2016
Party Candidate
    Republican Green check mark transparent.png 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,[19][20] and was re-elected for another term.[21]

2012

See also: Wisconsin State Assembly elections, 2012

Elections for the office of Wisconsin State Assembly consisted of a primary election on August 14, 2012, and a general election on November 6, 2012. Republican incumbent John Nygren defeated Democrat Joe Reinhard in the general election. Both candidates were unopposed in the primary elections.[22][23]

Wisconsin State Assembly, District 89, General Election, 2012
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Republican Green check mark transparent.pngJohn Nygren Incumbent 59.1% 16,081
     Democratic Joe Reinhard 40.9% 11,129
     - Scattering 0.1% 22
Total Votes 27,232

Campaign contributions

From 2000 to 2024, candidates for Wisconsin State Assembly District 89 raised a total of $4,799,835. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $141,172 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money

Campaign contributions, Wisconsin State Assembly District 89
Year Amount Candidates Average
2024 $3,120,955 2 $1,560,478
2022 $36,212 2 $18,106
2021 $143,222 6 $23,870
2020 $225,067 4 $56,267
2016 $208,267 2 $104,134
2014 $170,334 1 $170,334
2012 $124,355 2 $62,178
2010 $55,416 2 $27,708
2008 $70,574 2 $35,287
2006 $72,778 3 $24,259
2004 $353,448 3 $117,816
2002 $111,885 3 $37,295
2000 $107,323 2 $53,662
Total $4,799,835 34 $141,172


See also

External links

Footnotes

  1. Wisconsin Statutes, "Chapter 13: Legislative Branch: 13.02 Regular sessions," accessed October 5, 2021
  2. Wisconsin State Legislature, "Annotated Wisconsin Constitution- Article IV, Section 6," accessed May 23, 2025
  3. National Conference of State Legislatures, "2024 Legislator Compensation," August 21, 2024
  4. Wisconsin Legislature, "Wisconsin Statutes," accessed February 10, 2021 (Statute 17.19 (1), Wisconsin Statutes)
  5. Wisconsin Legislature, "Wisconsin Statutes," accessed February 10, 2021 (Statute 8.50, Wisconsin Statutes)
  6. Wisconsin Legislature, "Wisconsin Statutes," accessed February 10, 2021 (Statute 8.50(4)-(d), Wisconsin Statutes)
  7. Office of the Governor, "Gov. Evers Signs Fair Maps for Wisconsin," February 19, 2024
  8. NBC, "In heated Wisconsin Supreme Court debate, candidates tangle over 'fake elector' scheme," March 21, 2023
  9. NBC News, "Wisconsin governor signs new state legislative maps into law, ending a GOP gerrymander," February 19, 2024
  10. The New York Times, "Justices in Wisconsin Order New Legislative Maps," December 22, 2023
  11. Wisconsin Examiner, "Wisconsin Supreme Court rules state voting maps unconstitutional," December 22, 2023
  12. 12.0 12.1 All About Redistricting, "Wisconsin," accessed May 7, 2015
  13. Green Bay Press Gazette, "Gov. Tony Evers sets spring special election to fill John Nygren's 89th Assembly District seat," December 18, 2020
  14. Green Bay Press Gazette, "State Rep. John Nygren resigns from Assembly weeks after winning reelection," December 1, 2020
  15. Wisconsin Government Accountability Board, "Candidates on Ballot by Election - 2016 General Election - 11/8/2016," accessed November 4, 2016
  16. Wisconsin Elections Commission, "2016 Fall General Election Results," accessed December 2, 2016
  17. 17.0 17.1 Wisconsin Government Accountability Board, "Candidate Tracking by Office," accessed June 20, 2016
  18. 18.0 18.1 Wisconsin Elections and Ethics Commission, "2016 Partisan Primary," accessed September 16, 2016
  19. Wisconsin Government Accountability, "Candidates Registered by Office," June 11, 2014
  20. Wisconsin Government Accountability Board, "2014 Partisan Primary Candidates," accessed June 19, 2014
  21. Wisconsin Government Accountability Board, "Canvass Results for 2014 General Election," December 1, 2014
  22. State of Wisconsin, G.A.B. Canvass Reporting System, accessed November 23, 2013
  23. Wisconsin Government Accountability Board, "Official 2012 primary results," accessed November 23, 2013


Current members of the Wisconsin State Assembly
Leadership
Minority Leader:Greta Neubauer
Representatives
District 1
District 2
District 3
District 4
District 5
District 6
District 7
District 8
District 9
District 10
District 11
District 12
District 13
District 14
District 15
District 16
District 17
District 18
District 19
District 20
District 21
District 22
District 23
District 24
District 25
District 26
District 27
District 28
District 29
District 30
District 31
District 32
District 33
Robin Vos (R)
District 34
District 35
District 36
District 37
Mark Born (R)
District 38
District 39
District 40
District 41
District 42
District 43
District 44
Ann Roe (D)
District 45
District 46
District 47
District 48
District 49
District 50
District 51
District 52
District 53
District 54
District 55
District 56
District 57
District 58
District 59
District 60
District 61
District 62
District 63
District 64
District 65
District 66
District 67
District 68
District 69
District 70
District 71
District 72
District 73
District 74
District 75
District 76
District 77
District 78
District 79
District 80
Mike Bare (D)
District 81
District 82
District 83
District 84
District 85
District 86
District 87
District 88
District 89
District 90
District 91
District 92
District 93
District 94
District 95
District 96
District 97
District 98
District 99
Republican Party (54)
Democratic Party (45)