Senate District 21: Wanggaard Retires as Jung and Croft Compete for an Open Seat
Wisconsin Senate District 21 is one of the state’s closely watched 2026 races. Republican Sen. Van Wanggaard is retiring, leaving voters in the Racine and southwestern Milwaukee County area to choose a new senator — and giving both candidates an opportunity to explain how they would approach Wisconsin’s unresolved hemp and cannabis policy debates.
Democrat Trevor Jung and Republican Jim Croft are competing for the open seat. The race is part of the broader contest over control of the Wisconsin State Senate, where Republicans currently hold an 18–15 majority. Both Kamala Harris and U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin carried the district in 2024, making it a closely contested political battleground under the new legislative maps.
But for Wisconsin’s hemp farmers, cannabinoid businesses and cannabis reform advocates, there is another question worth asking: Will the next senator help move Wisconsin toward sensible regulation, or continue the prohibition-first approach that has left the industry facing uncertainty?
Van Wanggaard’s Record Leaves a Policy Question for His Successor
Wanggaard’s retirement means SD 21 will have a new senator, but his record remains relevant to understanding the policy debate the next officeholder will inherit.
WCIC’s election coverage notes that Wanggaard opposed cannabis reform and co-authored the Senate version of legislation associated with the proposed restrictions on intoxicating hemp products. He also served in Republican Senate leadership as majority caucus chair.
The hemp industry’s concern is that policies framed as protecting consumers can also threaten legitimate Wisconsin businesses, farmers and retailers if they rely on sweeping restrictions rather than a workable regulatory framework.
The next senator will have an opportunity to consider a different approach: establish clear standards for hemp-derived cannabinoid products, enforce age restrictions, address product safety and labeling, and create rules that legitimate businesses can follow.
That debate should be about the details of regulation and its effects — not simply whether a candidate identifies as a Republican or Democrat.
Trevor Jung: Public-Service Experience
Democrat Trevor Jung is the City of Racine’s transit and mobility director. Before taking that position, he served on the Racine Common Council from 2019 to 2023. He became Racine’s youngest elected alderperson since 1862. The City of Racine had decriminalized marijuana and held advisory referendums in 2018, prior to Jung being elected to the city council.
Jung’s campaign emphasizes affordability, economic opportunity, workforce development and transportation. His public-service background gives voters a record to examine on local government and community issues.
The Wisconsin Coalition for Cannabis Reform (WCCR) held a fundraiser for Democrat Trevor Jung and have been working closely with the campaigns policy advisor on the issue of saving hemp first then working on recreational marijuana / ending total cannabis prohibition. Leaders from the organization expressed they were impressed with this candidate.
Jim Croft: Business and Regulatory Priorities Need Specific Answers
Republican Jim Croft is a first-time candidate whose campaign emphasizes lowering costs, affordable health care, economic opportunity and reducing unnecessary regulatory barriers for businesses.
Those stated priorities raise relevant questions for Wisconsin’s hemp industry.
If Croft wants to make it easier to start and operate a business, how would that principle apply to hemp farmers, manufacturers and retailers? Would he support clear product standards and age restrictions in place of broad prohibitions? Would he consider the economic consequences of policies that could force established Wisconsin businesses to close?
Croft’s campaign has emphasized property-tax relief, health care costs and reducing red tape. Those positions provide a starting point for discussion, but they do not establish his position on cannabis or intoxicating hemp products.
WCIC’s election coverage records outreach to Croft and the delivery of candidate resources. A clear public statement on hemp regulation and cannabis reform would help voters understand how he would approach these questions if elected. Instead, constituents in the district already feel ignored by this potential legislator.
An Open Seat Means an Opportunity to Establish a New Record
The SD 21 contest is not a referendum on an incumbent’s next term. It is a choice between two candidates who would begin their Senate service without a prior state legislative voting record.
That makes direct engagement especially important. Rather than guessing based on party labels or general campaign language, voters can ask both campaigns for concrete answers and compare their responses.
For Wisconsin’s hemp and cannabis community, the goal should be straightforward: identify where the candidates stand, press them on the details, and hold the eventual winner accountable for the positions they take.
Follow the Race and Join the Discussion
WCIC is tracking the Senate District 21 contest as part of its 2026 Wisconsin Election Coverage. Follow the forum, review candidate information and contribute to the discussion about hemp regulation and cannabis reform.
Read and participate in the WCIC forum:
Senate District 21 — Competitive Race: Racine and Southwestern Milwaukee County
Candidate resources:
The next senator from District 21 will help shape Wisconsin policy for years to come. Voters should have a clear understanding of both candidates’ positions on hemp, cannabis and the future of a regulated marketplace before they cast their ballots.
Geography: The district comprises northeast Racine County and southwest Milwaukee County. It includes the city of Franklin, the northern half of the city of Racine, the western half of the city of Greenfield, and part of southwest Milwaukee, as well as the villages of Greendale, Hales Corners, Caledonia, Wind Point, and North Bay.
Stay tuned
I will continue to provide you additional 2026 Wisconsin State Election coverage throughout the campaign season. This next election is extremely important for cannabis reform and I will continue to bring you information as more candidates make their political moves.
In the event that we end up with divided government in the 2027-28 legislation session, the official formation of The Wisconsin Cannabis Caucus would be a must first step towards reform. The official establishment of this Caucus will represent the growing, bipartisan support in Wisconsin.
Although session has ended for 2025-26 we still urge you to contact your elected officials, as they technically can continue to work, hold committee hearings and potentially vote on any issue that is deemed to be a great priority to Wisconsinites. The top action alerts are still functionable on The Wisconsin Cannabis Activist Action Network for you immediate use.
A huge thank you once again to all my Election Coverage Sponsors, please support them if you can. One easy way to find them all and where they are throughout our great state of Wisconsin is to use The Stoner’s Travel Guide to Wisconsin website map and tag system, here you go, check them all out: https://thestonerstravelguide.com/places/tags/2026-election-coverage-sponsor/
