Assembly District 30: Kevin Knoke challenges Shannon Zimmerman
The race for Wisconsin’s 30th Assembly District features Republican incumbent Shannon Zimmerman and Democratic challenger Kevin Knoke. With Democrats targeting the seat in their effort to regain control of the Assembly, this western Wisconsin race deserves a closer look from hemp and cannabis reform advocates.
Shannon Zimmerman: Nearly a decade in Madison
Zimmerman was first elected in 2016 and has represented the district since January 2017. A former technology entrepreneur and business owner, he currently serves on the powerful Joint Committee on Finance, giving him a seat at the table when Wisconsin’s budget and spending priorities are determined.
His legislative record includes support for tax incentives for large data center projects. More recently, his attendance became an issue after he missed six of the Assembly’s 24 floor-session days during the 2025–26 session, leaving him absent for more than 225 votes. Zimmerman cited significant family circumstances when addressing the issue at an October candidate forum.
For Wisconsin’s hemp industry, however, there is another issue worth bringing to his attention.
A recent constituent visit by a local hemp retail store owner reportedly left several questions unanswered. During the conversation, Zimmerman seemed surprised by the size of Wisconsin’s existing hemp industry and the number of jobs potentially threatened by the upcoming federal intoxicating hemp definition change, essentially banning intoxicating hemp products known in the Wisconsin legislative lingo as “HDC” Hemp Derived Cannabinoid Products.
When asked about the issue, Zimmerman reportedly indicated that he would want to speak with Congressman and Republican Governor Candidate Tom Tiffany.
That response leaves an important question: What is Zimmerman’s plan to address the economic impact on Wisconsin hemp farmers, manufacturers, retailers, and employees? As a member of the Joint Finance Committee, he should understand the economic consequences of decisions that could affect an entire Wisconsin industry.
On the terms of “marijuana”, I have written a few articles about Shannon Zimmerman over the past decade.
What has Zimmerman done?
According to DrugFree.org: The government has drug testing and monitoring systems in place to track the makeup of illegal substances. Any significant spike in cases involving this combination would likely be detected and reported immediately. The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) has recently issued alerts about fentanyl-laced fake pills like Percocet and Vicodin for pain relief, and Xanax to address anxiety. They have also warned about fentanyl laced with Xylazine which is used to sedate animals. They have not issued alerts about marijuana.
Further, there are about 55 million people in the U.S. who use marijuana. We would see overdose rates far higher than they are today if fentanyl was in the marijuana supply.
It’s more important than ever to think about where we get our information. Sometimes, news stories want to grab our attention by making things sound scarier than they really are. When it comes to the idea of marijuana mixed with fentanyl, trust information from reliable sources, like scientists and health experts. By looking at the facts, we can make better decisions about our health and not get caught up in unnecessary worry.
May 2024 Rep. Shannon Zimmerman lies about laced marijuana in his county:
Republican Assembly District 30 Rep. Shannon Zimmerman (R-River Falls) and Republican Rob Stafsholt, R-New Richmond and Democratic Patty Schachtner hashed out marijuana reform in their districts in February of 2019.
Of course we all know everything marijuana reform in any budget bill was killed, gutted and left on the battle field, much like medical marijuana patients in Wisconsin.
Spring survey from 2019 shows high support
In the spring of 2019 after overwhelming support in the Wisconsin public marijuana referendums the previous fall, many of the Assembly GOP members held a spring survey which was posted online and sent in the email to people on their mailing list.
The results of Assembly Representative Shannon Zimmerman (R-River Falls) spring survey are not surprising as 76.48% of his district supported medical marijuana.
Zimmerman has never co-sponsored any marijuana legislation since taking office in 2017.
Shannon Zimmerman for State Representative District 30 Facebook Page is probably the best place to contact him through his campaign website.
Kevin Knoke: Listed as an AB 1061 supporter
Knoke is a retired Hudson public school educator, Army veteran, and political newcomer.
One development important to cannabis reform advocates is that A Better Wisconsin Together lists Kevin Knoke among its supporters and leaders associated with its marijuana legalization and taxation agenda, including AB 1061.
The organization’s Fighting for Us page identifies the effort to legalize and tax marijuana sensibly in Wisconsin.
AB 1061 represents a much different approach to cannabis policy than continued prohibition. Knoke’s inclusion on the organization’s list gives voters a documented connection to the legalization effort, although hearing directly from Knoke about the bill and his position on hemp regulation remains important.
You can learn more about the campaign for Kevin Knoke on his official campaign website and follow his official campaign facebook account.
The 2026 numbers
Zimmerman defeated Democrat Alison Page in 2024 by 8.5 percentage points, receiving 54.2% of the vote to Page’s 45.7%. In 2022, Zimmerman won with 58.5%.
The 2024 result demonstrates that this is not an uncontested political stronghold. Democrats are targeting the district as part of their broader effort to change control of the Assembly.
My take: Put hemp and cannabis on the campaign agenda
For Wisconsin’s hemp and cannabis community, District 30 presents two different conversations.
Knoke is listed by A Better Wisconsin Together in connection with AB 1061 and its marijuana legalization agenda. Zimmerman has nearly a decade of legislative experience and a position on the Joint Finance Committee, but his recent conversation with a local hemp retailer raises questions about his understanding of the industry’s size and the jobs threatened by federal policy changes.
I want to hear directly from both candidates.
Will Wisconsin protect its existing hemp businesses and jobs? Will legislators pursue regulation and consumer protections instead of prohibition? And what role should Wisconsin play in responding to the coming federal changes?
These are economic development, agricultural, small-business, and consumer-protection questions—not simply partisan talking points.
Assembly District 30 voters deserve answers. Assembly District 30 is located in SW St. Croix and NW Pierce Counties; Hudson, River Falls, Village of North Hudson.
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/
