Senate District 1 creates a 4 Way GOP Primary Battle
Andre Jacque – Incumbent retires was music to the my ears and then I saw Jacob was running for the seat and I wet my plants! This is a GOP stronghold district with projections over 20% produces a four way primary battle and with no Democrat running it will be very interesting to see how the Independent fairs in this race.
Here are the candidates:
Jacob VandenPlas- (Republican) Libertarian leaning and supportive in the past, has had previous run for Congress as a Libertarian. I wrote this about him in 2022, during my 2022 election coverage: Libertarian Candidate Jake VandenPlas supports reforming the cannabis laws in the United States and his knowledge of Wisconsin would make sure our state is not left behind. Announced for his run for Senate on 4/20! His campaign website: https://jakeforwi.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583769464904 and email: jakeforwi@gmail.com
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Barbara Bittner, Chair of the Republican Party of Calumet County announced immediately after Jacque retired. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61590093255955; Website: https://www.barbaraforwisenate.com/ No email listed.
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Nic Cravillion – Republican 5/5 announced. Veteran, still with national guard. Small business owner (said on socials he is friend and mentor is Andre Jacque). Campaign Website: https://niccravillionforwi.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NicCravillionforWI and email: nic@nicforwi.com
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Katie Baney – Capitol Hill staff to Ron Johnson on Senate Homeland Security Committee and former speaker Paul Ryan. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61589947051577 Website: https://www.katieforwisconsin.com/ Email: katie@katiebaney.com
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NO DEMOCRAT IS RUNNING IN THIS RACE, BELOW IS THE INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE:
Mark Becker – Independent – former Brown County Board? political leader and elected official, host of the Rational Revolution on Civic Media, He is a legalize and tax it guy, no mention of hemp at first; had a few good conversations with him about over regulation/taxation and the SAVE hemp first approach. He has been very approachable and comfortable to work with if elected. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarkForSenate, Website: https://www.markforwisconsin.vote/ and email: mark@markforwisconsin.vote
Where is Senate District 1?
The 1st Senate district of Wisconsin is one of 33 districts in the Wisconsin Senate. Located in northeast Wisconsin, the district comprises all of Door and Kewaunee counties, as well as nearly all of Calumet County, much of northern and western Manitowoc County and eastern and southern Brown County, along with parts of southwest Outagamie County. It includes the cities of Sturgeon Bay and Chilton and parts of the cities of Appleton, Menasha, and Green Bay.
The call to action is simple:
If you care about cannabis reform, hemp policy, personal freedom, patient access, small business opportunities, or ending outdated laws, there is something important you should understand:
The most influential conversations in politics rarely happen during a legislative hearing.
They happen during campaigns.
With Governor Tony Evers retiring, Wisconsin is entering one of the most consequential elections in decades. New candidates are running for Governor, Congress, State Senate, State Assembly, and local offices. Many of them are still shaping their priorities, refining their positions, and deciding which issues matter most to the people they hope will elect them.
That is why your voice matters right now.
Political consultants, campaign managers, and elected officials consistently point to conversations with voters as one of the most important ways candidates learn about issues they may not have previously understood. While lobbyists, organizations, and interest groups all play a role, candidates frequently credit personal conversations with constituents for opening their eyes to new perspectives and helping them better understand how public policy affects real people.
Research has found that direct, personal contact remains one of the most meaningful forms of political communication. Candidates learn more from authentic conversations with voters than they do from reading talking points, advertisements, or social media posts. When voters engage directly with candidates, they help shape priorities and put issues on the radar before anyone takes office.
Think about it this way:
Most people complain about politics.
Very few people actually participate.
An even smaller number take the time to contact candidates, attend campaign events, ask questions, volunteer, or start a relationship with the people who may soon represent them.
That means your voice carries more weight than you may realize.
Candidates expect to hear from donors, party insiders, and political professionals. They hear far less often from ordinary citizens who simply care enough to reach out. When someone takes the initiative to call, email, attend an event, or introduce themselves, candidates notice. They remember. Relationships begin.
Today’s candidate could be tomorrow’s governor, legislator, county supervisor, mayor, or member of Congress.
The people who build relationships now often become the people whose calls get returned later.
This election cycle gives Wisconsin’s cannabis community a unique opportunity to help shape the conversation before policy positions become entrenched. If candidates hear from enough informed voters about sensible cannabis reform, patient access, hemp regulation, public safety, economic opportunity, and personal freedom, those issues become harder to ignore.
To help start those conversations, the Wisconsin Cannabis Activist Network has assembled a collection of candidate resources, educational materials, legislative background information, and policy guides that you can share with candidates and campaigns.
Feel free to use our materials, share your own experiences, or do both. Your personal story and perspective may be the conversation that helps a candidate better understand why cannabis reform matters to Wisconsin voters.
We also invite you to continue the conversation on our new 2026 Election Coverage Forum, where activists, advocates, candidates, and voters can discuss races, share updates, and help shape Wisconsin’s future: The dedicated thread on Wisconsin Cannabinoid Industry Council forum is right here, just click it, join us and continue the conversation: https://network.joinwcic.org/t/senate-district-1-republican-primary-battle/195
The campaign trail is where future policy begins.
Don’t wait for a bill to be introduced. Don’t wait for a hearing to be scheduled. Don’t wait until after Election Day and wonder why your issue wasn’t a priority.
Get involved now, while candidates are listening.
And if you’re not sure where to start, need help finding candidates to contact, want advice on what to say, or simply want someone to talk with before taking that first step, reach out to us. That’s why we’re here.
As mentioned above, I have some done some pre-work with these candidates and have asked them to complete the 2026 Candidate Questionnaire and will report back as the race develops! Now it is your turn to turn up the high activity directly in district!
Stay tuned and get active!
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/
