Josh Zepnick
Josh Zepnick (Democratic Party) was a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly, representing District 9. He assumed office in 2003. He left office on January 7, 2019.
Zepnick ran for election to the Milwaukee Common Council to represent District 11 in Wisconsin. He lost in the general election on April 2, 2024.
Zepnick was removed from his Assembly committee assignments in December 2017 due to sexual misconduct allegations. To read more click here.
Biography
Zepnick received his M.A. from the University of Minnesota and B.A. from University of Wisconsin, Madison. He has worked as a research associate for the Center for Democracy and Citizenship, congressional assistant, legislative aide to Senator Bob Jauch/David R. Obey, and project consultant to the Milwaukee Jobs Initiative.[1]
Committee assignments
2017 legislative session
Zepnick was removed from his Assembly committee assignments in December 2017 due to sexual misconduct allegations. To read more click here.
At the beginning of the 2017 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:
| Wisconsin committee assignments, 2017 |
|---|
| • Energy and Utilities |
| • Family Law |
| • Federalism and Interstate Relations |
| • Financial Institutions |
| • Mental Health |
2015 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, Zepnick served on the following committees:
| Wisconsin committee assignments, 2015 |
|---|
| • Ways and Means |
| • Interstate Affairs |
| • Financial Institutions |
| • Energy and Utilities |
2013-2014
At the beginning of the 2013 legislative session, Zepnick served on the following committees:
| Wisconsin committee assignments, 2013 |
|---|
| • Energy and Utilities |
| • Financial Institutions |
| • Mental Health |
| • State and Federal Relations |
| • State and Local Finance |
2011-2012
During the 2011-2012 legislative session, Zepnick served on these committees:
| Wisconsin committee assignments, 2011 |
|---|
| • Energy and Utilities |
| • Financial Institutions |
| • Tourism, Recreation and State Properties |
| • Workforce Development |
2009-2010
During the 2009-2010 legislative session, Zepnick served on these committees:
| Wisconsin committee assignments, 2009 |
|---|
| • Energy and Utilities |
| • Ways and Means |
| • Workforce Development |
| • Financial Institutions |
| • Administrative Rules, Co-Chair |
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
2024
See also: City elections in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (2024)
General election
General election for Milwaukee Common Council District 11
Peter Burgelis defeated Josh Zepnick in the general election for Milwaukee Common Council District 11 on April 2, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Peter Burgelis (Nonpartisan) | 57.1 | 3,752 |
 | Josh Zepnick (Nonpartisan) | 42.1 | 2,766 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.7 | 48 | ||
| Total votes: 6,566 | |||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for Milwaukee Common Council District 11
Peter Burgelis and Josh Zepnick defeated Lee Whiting in the primary for Milwaukee Common Council District 11 on February 20, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Peter Burgelis (Nonpartisan) | 52.8 | 1,703 |
| ✔ | | Josh Zepnick (Nonpartisan) | 35.2 | 1,134 |
| Lee Whiting (Nonpartisan) | 12.0 | 388 | ||
| Total votes: 3,225 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Zepnick in this election.
2022
See also: Municipal elections in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin (2022)
General election
General election for Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors District 12
Juan Miguel Martinez defeated Josh Zepnick in the general election for Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors District 12 on April 5, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Juan Miguel Martinez (Nonpartisan) | 50.0 | 1,780 | |
| Josh Zepnick (Nonpartisan) | 49.6 | 1,763 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.4 | 14 | ||
| Total votes: 3,557 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors District 12
Josh Zepnick and Juan Miguel Martinez defeated Christian Saldivar Frias and Rosie King in the primary for Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors District 12 on February 15, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Josh Zepnick (Nonpartisan) | 40.6 | 976 |
| ✔ | Juan Miguel Martinez (Nonpartisan) | 29.7 | 713 | |
| Christian Saldivar Frias (Nonpartisan) | 16.7 | 400 | ||
| Rosie King (Nonpartisan) | 12.0 | 288 | ||
| Other/Write-in votes | 1.0 | 24 | ||
| Total votes: 2,401 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
2019
See also: City elections in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (2019)
General election
Special general election for Milwaukee Common Council District 13
Scott Spiker defeated Patty Doherty in the special general election for Milwaukee Common Council District 13 on August 13, 2019.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Scott Spiker (Nonpartisan) | 56.6 | 1,865 | |
| Patty Doherty (Nonpartisan) | 43.3 | 1,427 | ||
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.2 | 5 | ||
| Total votes: 3,297 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Nonpartisan primary election
Special nonpartisan primary for Milwaukee Common Council District 13
The following candidates ran in the special primary for Milwaukee Common Council District 13 on July 16, 2019.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Scott Spiker (Nonpartisan) | 44.5 | 1,357 | |
| ✔ | Patty Doherty (Nonpartisan) | 24.7 | 755 | |
| Patricia Torres Najera (Nonpartisan) | 15.5 | 472 | ||
 | James Krickeberg (Nonpartisan) | 8.7 | 266 | |
 | Jacob Krieg (Nonpartisan) | 3.7 | 114 | |
| Josh Zepnick (Nonpartisan) | 2.4 | 72 | |
| Walt Love (Nonpartisan) | 0.5 | 14 | ||
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 2 | ||
| Total votes: 3,052 | |||
| = 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
- See also: Wisconsin State Assembly elections, 2018
General election
General election for Wisconsin State Assembly District 9
Marisabel Cabrera won election in the general election for Wisconsin State Assembly District 9 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Marisabel Cabrera (D) | 98.0 | 11,453 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 2.0 | 239 | ||
| Total votes: 11,692 | |||
| = 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 9
Marisabel Cabrera defeated incumbent Josh Zepnick in the Democratic primary for Wisconsin State Assembly District 9 on August 14, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Marisabel Cabrera | 64.1 | 1,982 | |
| Josh Zepnick | 35.9 | 1,110 | |
| Total votes: 3,092 | |||
| = 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
State Assembly
- 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 Josh Zepnick ran unopposed in the Wisconsin State Assembly District 9 general election.[2][3]
| Wisconsin State Assembly, District 9 General Election, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic |  Josh Zepnick Incumbent (unopposed) |
100.00% | 12,142 | |
| Total Votes | 12,142 | |||
| Source: Wisconsin Elections Commission | ||||
Incumbent Josh Zepnick defeated Marisabel Cabrera in the Wisconsin State Assembly District 9 Democratic primary.[4][5]
| Wisconsin State Assembly, District 9 Democratic Primary, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Josh Zepnick Incumbent |
53.25% | 1,222 | |
| Democratic | Marisabel Cabrera | 46.75% | 1,073 | |
| Total Votes | 2,295 | |||
Milwaukee City Council
The city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, held elections for mayor and city council on April 5, 2016. A primary election took place on February 16, 2016. All 15 city council seats were up for election. Incumbent Robert G. Donovan and Justin Bielinski defeated Josh Zepnick in the Milwaukee City Council District 8 primary election.[6]
| Milwaukee City Council District 8, Primary Election, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
| Robert G. Donovan Incumbent |
62.81% | 1,098 |
| Justin Bielinski |
27.57% | 482 |
| Josh Zepnick | 9.10% | 159 |
| Write-in votes | 0.51% | 9 |
| Total Votes | 1,748 | |
| Source: City of Milwaukee, "2016 Spring Primary Final Results," February 19, 2016 | ||
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 Josh Zepnick was unopposed in the Democratic primary. Zepnick was unopposed in the general election[7][8] and was re-elected to another term.[9]
2012
- See also: Wisconsin State Assembly elections, 2012
Zepnick won election in the 2012 election for Wisconsin State Assembly District 9. Zepnick defeated Jose Guzman in the Democratic primary on August 14 and was unopposed in the general election on November 6, 2012.[10][11]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Josh Zepnick Incumbent |
98.6% | 14,635 | |
| - | Scattering | 1.4% | 208 | |
| Total Votes | 14,843 | |||
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
|---|---|---|
|
Josh Zepnick Incumbent |
65.7% | 781 |
| Jose Guzman | 34.3% | 407 |
| Total Votes | 1,188 | |
2010
- See also: Wisconsin State Assembly elections, 2010
Zepnick was re-elected to District 9 in 2010. He was unopposed in the November 2, 2010, general election. Zepnick was unopposed in the September 14 primary election.[12]
| Wisconsin State Assembly, District 9 Democratic primary (2010) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | Percent | ||
| Josh Zepnick (D)
|
1,468 | 99.19% | ||
2008
On November 4, 2008, Zepnick won re-election to Assembly District 9, receiving 98.53% of the vote.[13]
| Wisconsin Assembly District 9 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | |||
| Josh Zepnick (D)
|
14,070 | |||
| Scattering | 210 | |||
Campaign themes
2024
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Josh Zepnick did not complete Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.
2022
Josh Zepnick did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.
2019
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Josh Zepnick did not complete Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey.
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.
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.
2018
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.
- Legislators are scored on whether they voted for or against MMAC's position.
- National Federation of Independent Business in Wisconsin: 2016 legislative voting record
- Legislators are scored on their votes on small business issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to labor policy.
- Wisconsin Family Action: 2017-2018 legislative scorecard
- Legislators are scored by the Wisconsin Family Action on their votes on legislation related to "marriage, family, the sanctity of human life, or religious freedom."[14]
- Legislators are scored on their stances on conservation issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on legislation WMC deemed as "most important issues for the business community."
- Wisconsin Professional Police Association: 2018 report card
- Legislators are scored on their votes by the Wisconsin Professional Police Association on legislation related to Wisconsin's law enforcement community.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental issues.
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]. |
|---|
|
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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Noteworthy events
Removal from committees following sexual misconduct allegations (2017)
On December 5, 2017, Zepnick was removed from his committee assignments by state Assembly leaders after the Capital Times reported that he had kissed two women without their consent in 2011 and 2015, respectively. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R) removed Zepnick from his committee assignments at the request of Minority Leader Gordon Hintz (D). Zepnick apologized and said the incidents were related to his alcohol consumption. He said, "While I have no recollection of these alleged incidents, there is never an excuse for inappropriate behavior. I take the claims seriously and respect the feelings of the women involved. I apologize to both women for my actions and for any distress that I may have caused."
According to the Journal-Sentinel, Zepnick did not plan to resign. Multiple Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Jennifer Shilling, Assemblymen Gary Hebl and Jimmy Anderson, and state Democratic Party Chairwoman Martha Laning, called for him to resign.[18]
On December 6, the Associated Press reported that Zepnick had criticized his accusers for being anonymous and using media organizations to raise the allegations against him.[19]
See also
2024 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Project Vote Smart, "Biography," accessed May 5, 2014
- ↑ 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
- ↑ Wisconsin Government Accountability Board, "Candidate Tracking by Office," accessed June 20, 2016
- ↑ Wisconsin Elections and Ethics Commission, "2016 Partisan Primary," accessed September 16, 2016
- ↑ City of Milwaukee, "2016 Spring Election Candidates," January 8, 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
- ↑ Wisconsin Government Accountability Board, "Official 2010 Primary election results," accessed April 25, 2014
- ↑ Wisconsin State Elections Board, "Results of Fall General Election-11/04/2008," accessed May 6, 2014
- ↑ 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
- ↑ Journal-Sentinel, "Rep. Josh Zepnick loses committee assignments after report he drunkenly kissed two women," December 5, 2017
- ↑ U.S. News and World Report, "Zepnick Criticizes 'Anonymous' Sexual Misconduct Allegations," December 6, 2017
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by - |
Wisconsin State Assembly District 9 2003–2018 |
Succeeded by Marisabel Cabrera (D) |
| |||||||||
