Van H. Wanggaard, Wisconsin State Senator from 21st district | www.facebook.com
Van H. Wanggaard, Wisconsin State Senator from 21st district | www.facebook.com
According to the Wisconsin State Legislature's official website, the bill was described as follows: "withdrawal of candidacy for certain offices filled at the general election and providing a penalty. (FE)".
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill introduces the ability for candidates who have filed nomination papers with the Elections Commission for national or statewide offices, excluding district attorneys, to withdraw their candidacy before the certification deadlines for partisan primary or general elections. The withdrawal process requires the candidate to submit a sworn statement to the commission and pay a $1,000 fee for statewide offices or a $250 fee for non-statewide offices. The Elections Commission must verify the authenticity of these statements. Additionally, filing a false statement of withdrawal is classified as a Class G felony, carrying penalties of up to a $25,000 fine, 10 years' imprisonment, or both.
The bill was co-authored by Representative David Steffen (Republican-4th District). It was co-sponsored by Representative David Armstrong (Republican-67th District), Representative Lindee Rae Brill (Republican-27th District), and Representative Robert Brooks (Republican-59th District), along 12 other co-sponsors.
Van H. Wanggaard has authored or co-authored another 15 bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with none of them being enacted.
Wanggaard graduated from Gateway Technical College.
Wanggaard, a Republican, was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate in 2015 to represent the state's 21st Senate district, replacing previous state senator John Lehman.
In Wisconsin, the legislative process starts when a senator, constituent, group, or agency proposes an idea for a bill. After drafting, the bill is introduced, numbered, and referred to a committee for review and public input. If approved, it moves through three readings and votes in both the Senate and Assembly. Once both chambers pass the same version, the bill goes to the governor, who can sign it, veto it, or let it become law without a signature. Only a small share of bills introduced each session ultimately become law. You can learn more about the Wisconsin legislative process here.
| Bill Number | Date Introduced | Short Description |
|---|---|---|
| SB34 | 02/12/2025 | Withdrawal of candidacy for certain offices filled at the general election and providing a penalty. (FE) |
| SB30 | 02/12/2025 | Required instruction in civics in the elementary and high school grades, high school graduation requirements, and private school educational program criteria. (FE) |
| SB12 | 02/03/2025 | A sales and use tax exemption for the sale of gun safes. (FE) |
| SB6 | 01/24/2025 | Impoundment of vehicles used in certain traffic offenses |
| SB5 | 01/24/2025 | Battery or threat to jurors and providing a penalty |
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