Democrat Sasha Ripley challenges Incumbent Jagler for SD 13
Tuesday, August 26 The Jefferson County Democrats held a meeting and they had a chance to meet candidate Sasha Ripley who is running for WI State Senator in District 13 against John Jagler (R).
What we know about Sasha Ripley (D)
Sasha Ripley statement:
My name is Sasha Ripley and I’m a working-class candidate from a working-class family. I was born in and have lived in the 13th district most of my life. My grandparents were small business owners in Marquette County, and my dad worked road construction and is a Vietnam veteran. I’m a teacher who decided to run for State Senate because I’m frustrated with how our current representatives are not working to address important issues in our community such as unaffordable housing and rental prices, skyrocketing healthcare and prescription drug prices, and protecting women’s right to choose. We are all feeling the pain of the cost-of-living crisis in Wisconsin right now. Our representatives have not been listening to us, and I don’t see them working to address the problem.
All Wisconsin residents deserve the opportunity to be happy, healthy, and prosperous in return for their hard work. When the working-class and middle-class have money to spend on goods and services in the local economy, everyone benefits. I want to build a better economy that works for everyone. Too many Wisconsinites are working hard but still can’t pay their bills. We need new ideas, a new vision, and new opportunities. I ask you to join me in having the courage and faith to believe in and work for change in rural Wisconsin!
I will find out more about Ripley on Sept 6th
The Wisconsin Cannabis Activist Network has been invited back to the 4CC Annual Picnic to speak with candidates, table, and vend in Berlin in Sept 6th, 2025.
The 4CC, formally known as the Four County Democratic Coalition, is comprised of Adams, Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties. Representatives from each of our tabling organizations will be introduced to the crowd and will have up to two minutes to speak.
We have a vibrant roster of speakers that are certain to draw a crowd.
- Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez
- Judge Chris Taylor
- Candidate for Governor Ryan Strnad
- Rep. Francesca Hong
- Sec. of State Sarah Godlewski
- Senator Kelda Roys
- County Exec David Crowley
- WisDems Chair Devin Remiker
- 3rd CD Chair William Garcia
- 6th CD Chair Deb Dassow
- 3rd CD candidate Laura Benjamin
- 3rd CD candidate Emily Berge
- 6th CD candidate Mike Heidenreich
- 6th CD candidate Joey Marschall
- 13th Senate District candidate Sasha Ripley
- Katrina Shankland, Rust Belt Rising
- Tristan Angulo, WisDems
Governor Tony Evers and Senator Tammy Baldwin may also attend.
Members and friends of the 4CC are interested in the issues we represent and the hemp cannabis industry as a whole.
Heritage Hemp Farm is a member of The Wisconsin Cannabis Activist Network and will be representing our shared interests at this event.
Thanks to Ignite Dispensary and BLNCD Naturals for supplying THC Drinks! We will be sampling a variety of high-spirited 10mg THC mocktails. Thanks Ignite!
What we know about Senator Jagler (R)
Senator Jagler has been “swayed” to support medical marijuana while still as an Assembly Rep. He did sit on the committee for the 2019-20 medical marijuana bills. As a Republican he did not officially co-sponsor any medical marijuana legislation, but he did express the need for a public hearing on adult use / recreational marijuana and with a little work he could easily be a medical marijuana leader and lead the conversation on cannabis reform within the Republican Party.
But when Senator Mary Felzkowski (R) held a public hearing on 4/20/2022 regarding her medical marijuana bill, Senator Jagler was right there to make sure the testimony from the Wisconsin Medical Society against it was heard loud and clear. I felt this was a turning point for him. He stated he was ill/sick but still made it to Madison to make sure the WMS testimony was read into the public hearing and if I remember, really offered no support for the bill, which never advanced out of committee.
Since the new maps have been drawn, I have emailed his office, called his office, stopped in his office in Madison and neither he or has staff have really bothered to get back to me. Sadly, if I had to label Jagler something, it would not be friendly at this point.
In April of 2023, Jagler again reconfirmed his opposition to cannabis reform by providing the following statement:
The April 2023 Edition of the Watertown Daily Times: When asked if he supports medical marijuana, Jagler said he has for many years. “However, I’m against recreational marijuana because we do not need any more impaired drivers on the road,” he said. “We are on an island. While we are on that island, we are seeing the ramifications of full legalization in other states such as the growth of black market marijuana because states are putting so many regulations on who can grow it and how many plants they can grow. It gives us a chance to see how full legalization works out.”
What we know about the new Senate District 13
Interesting new district lines for sure and this will be the first test of those lines in a real life election. I feel these new lines secure Republican dominance with a predicted 63% of the vote based off the 2024 pre election projection data. As the election for 2026 comes closer, we will see more analysis of the voting data, but I still feel this is a Republican stronghold Senate District.
Former elected official Joan Ballweg (R) technically resides in the new 13th and lost a recent Senate election bid in the 14th district. Ballweg lost her bid but did not just retire, I think she now is at the county party level, but it remains to be known if she will challenge Jagler in 2026? Based off proper Republican protocol, I assume not, but will Jagler be asked to not seek re-election because the party likes Ballweg better? There is also the possibility of another Republican primary challenger to emerge yet that is much stronger on cannabis reform than either of these two I mentioned also, so that could complicate things if these two decide to duke it out in a primary.
Where is the 13th Senate District
Located in south central Wisconsin, the district comprises all of Green Lake and Marquette counties, along with most of Dodge County, western Fond du Lac County, and parts of northern Jefferson County, eastern Adams County, northeast Columbia County, and southwest Winnebago County. It includes the cities of Beaver Dam, Horicon, Markesan, Mayville, Montello, Princeton, Ripon, Watertown, and Waupun.
What can you do right now?
Even if you do not live in the 13th Senate District, you can participate in our letter writing campaign to your elected officials by using the Make Cannabis Reform a Priority campaign and sign the petition to urge candidates and elected officials to form The Wisconsin Cannabis Caucus.
