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In this update:

• Administration Updates
• Legislative Updates
• Election Updates
• Upcoming Events

Administration Updates

Personnel changes in Evers administration

Several personnel changes were made in Gov. Evers’ administration. Notable moves include:

DNR

• Gov. Tony Evers appointed Dr. Karen Hyun as the state’s next secretary of the Department of Natural Resources effective January 27. Dr. Hyun most recently served as the chief of staff of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) since 2021. She also worked as professional staff for the U.S. House of Representatives’ Committee on Natural Resources and then as a senior policy advisor and chief of staff at the U.S. Department of Commerce. Dr. Hyun also has experience in coastal management and conservation. In a press release announcing the appointment, Gov. Evers said “Dr. Hyun’s extensive science background and expertise working in fish and wildlife, shoreline restoration, and coastal management and resilience will make her a great asset to the Department of Natural Resources and to our administration.” Dr. Hyun said in a statement that she “look[s] forward to working alongside the dedicated DNR staff to ensure that Wisconsin’s ecosystems, wildlife, natural spaces, and resources remain accessible, safe, and available for generations of Wisconsinites to come.”

DOA

• DOA Sec. Kathy Blumenfeld announced the appointment of Anne Hanson as DOA Deputy Secretary effective January 13. Ms. Hanson has served as the DOA Chief Legal Counsel since joining the Evers Administration in 2020. Prior to that, Ms. Hanson worked as a transactional and regulatory attorney in the private sector for Epic and at Latham & Watkins, LLP.

DSPS

• DSPS Secretary Dan Hereth named Jennifer Garrett as his Deputy Secretary. Ms. Garrett most recently served as Assistant Deputy Secretary at DSPS since 2022. Before that, she was the Director of Public Affairs at DSPS. She replaces outgoing Deputy Secretary Donna Moreland, who now serves as the Administrator for the Division of Performance Management.

• Nikko Ruud has been tapped to fill the department’s Assistant Deputy Secretary position. Mr. Ruud most recently served as Administrator for the Division of Professional Credential Processing at DSPS. Before that, Mr. Ruud was the supervisor for the Comprehensive Health and Wellness Program at the Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs.

**Michael Best hosting WEDC Sec. and CEO Missy Hughes**



• Michael Best is hosting a meet and greet with WEDC Secretary and CEO Missy Hughes next Wednesday, January 15th at 11:30AM. The event will be hosted at the Michael Best office in Madison with a lunch provided, and a virtual option will be available for those unable to join in-person. Register for the event here.

Evers proposes citizen-led referendums

Gov. Tony Evers announced that as part of his 2025-27 biennial budget, he will propose to allow Wisconsin residents to put binding referenda on the ballot. This would allow citizen-led referendums to enact changes to state law and the state constitution through a majority vote without the Legislature’s approval.

Gov. Evers and fellow Democrats claim Wisconsin Republicans have blocked legislation, that has broad public support, from being voted on by the Legislature and should allow Wisconsin residents to have the opportunity to place binding referenda on the ballot. “The will of the people should be the law of the land,” said Gov. Evers. “Republican lawmakers have repeatedly worked to put constitutional amendments on the ballot that Republicans drafted, and Republicans passed, all while Republicans refuse to give that same power to the people of Wisconsin. And that’s wrong.”

Republicans have previously rejected a similar proposal from Gov. Evers and have signaled they would likely do so again. “It appears that Tony Evers’ single agenda item for the next session to is take power away from the elected members of the Legislature,” Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) said. “If that’s his focus, it’s going to make it awfully hard to find consensus.”

Republicans argue the constitutional amendments are necessary to protect legislation from being overturned by the State Supreme court or Democrats in future legislative sessions. 

Legislative Updates

Vos is re-elected speaker

The Assembly and Senate met on Monday to swear in members and vote on the calendar for the 2025-26 legislative session. The Assembly also voted on leadership, re-electing Rep. Robin Vos (R-Rochester) as Speaker in a 52-44 vote. Reps. Chuck Wichgers (R-Muskego) and Lindee Brill (R-Sheboygan Falls) abstained from voting for their Republican colleague, and freshman Rep. Karen Kirsch (D-Greenfield) was absent from the vote. Speaker Vos has held the position since 2013, making him the longest-serving speaker in state history.

Other members of the 2025-2026 GOP Assembly leadership are:

• Majority Leader: Rep. Tyler August (R-Walworth)
• Assistant Majority Leader: Rep. Scott Krug (R-Nekoosa)
• Speaker Pro Tempore: Rep. Kevin Petersen (R-Waupaca)
• Majority Caucus Chair: Rep. Rob Summerfield (R-Bloomer)
• Majority Caucus Vice-Chair: Rep. Cindi Duchow (R-Town of Delafield)
• Majority Caucus Secretary: Rep. Nancy Vandermeer (R-Tomah)
• Majority Caucus Sergeant at Arms: Rep. Treig Pronschinske (R-Mondovi)

Election Updates

Nomination papers are filed for Supreme Court and Superintendent races

State Supreme Court and State Superintendent candidates filed nomination papers to run in this spring’s nonpartisan election. Liberal Dane County Judge Susan Crawford and conservative Waukesha County Judge Brad Schimel filed nomination papers for the state Supreme Court and will face each other in the general election on April 1st. The Wisconsin Elections Commission certified that both candidates submitted the required number of signatures.

State Superintendent Dr. Jill Underly, education consultant Brittany Kinser, and Sauk Prairie Superintendent Jeff Wright all filed nomination papers to run for state superintendent, setting up a three-way primary election that will be held on February 18th. Ms. Kinser’s campaign said she turned in 3,500 signatures. The other two candidates did not announce the number of signatures they submitted.

Schimel and Crawford announce fundraising

State Supreme Court candidates Judge Brad Schimel and Judge Susan Crawford announced their fundraising numbers for the past six months. The candidates are facing off on April 1st in a race that could see liberals in charge of the state’s highest court until at least 2028. The latest fundraising numbers show Judge Crawford — the liberal candidate — has out raised conservative Judge Schimel since launching their respective bids for the Supreme Court. Judge Crawford’s campaign announced she has raised $2.8 million since May 2024. In the last six months alone, she raised $2.4 million, ending the year with $2.1 million in the bank. Meanwhile, Judge Schimel said he raised $1.5 million, finishing 2024 with $1.8 million cash on hand. Since launching his bid in November 2023, Judge Schimel has raised $2.2 million.

Judge Crawford’s campaign said she received contributions from 71 of the 72 counties and more than 8,000 donations from 6,000 individual donors. Her campaign declined to specify if the state Democratic Party transferred funds to the campaign. In spring 2023, the party donated almost $10 million to liberal state Supreme Court candidate Judge Janet Protasiewicz, who eventually won that election. Meanwhile, Judge Schimel’s campaign said he received donations from 70 of the counties and 98% of his contributions were from Wisconsin. His campaign said they did not receive any transfers from the Republican Party of Wisconsin.

The campaign finance reports for July 1-December 31 are due next week on January 15.

Upcoming Events

January 15th at 11:30 AM - Meet the Cabinet: Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation Secretary Missy Hughes (virtual and in-person options available)

Register for the event here.

February 19th at 11:30 AM - State of Wisconsin Fiscal Update and 2025-2027 Budget Outlook with JFC Co-Chair Sen. Howard Marklein (virtual and in-person options available)

February 19th at 11:30 AM - Meet the Cabinet: Public Service Commission Chair Summer Strand (virtual and in-person options available)

RSVP to Barb Stevenson at Barb.Stevenson@michaelbest.com if you'd like to attend any of these events

ABOUT US

If you would like any additional information about the above topic, or if you would like to find time to discuss the above matter in more detail, please do not hesitate to contact your Michael Best Strategies contact.

Have a great day, 

Wisconsin GR Team

Government Relations Team

Our Team |  michaelbeststrategies.com

One South Pickney Street, Suite 700

Madison, WI 53703

Phone: 608-257-3501

Fax: 608-283-2275