Nygren won’t run for Senate

MARINETTE — The longest-serving Assembly representative in the state’s 30th Senate District has announced he will not run for the seat being vacated when incumbent Sen. Dave Hansen retires.

Hansen, D-Green Bay, announced earlier this year that he will not seek re-election this fall.

Rep. John Nygren, R-Marinette, released a statement March 30 that after a couple of months of conversation and reflection with family, friends and neighbors, he will not be a candidate for the Senate seat.

“Coming to this conclusion has been the hardest decision of my political career,” Nygren said. “While I am extremely confident that I would have won the seat, the timing is not right.”

Nygren has represented the 89th Assembly District since 2007 and has risen through the ranks to become co-chairman of the Legislature’s budget-writing Joint Finance Committee. He plans to run for an eighth two-year term in the Nov. 3 election.

“As the state deals with the financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, my role as co-chair of the powerful Joint Finance Committee is more important than ever,” Nygren said. “My best opportunity to make a difference is to remain in my role as co-chair.”

Hansen’s nephew, Jonathon Hansen of De Pere, announced his candidacy for the seat as a Democrat few days after his uncle’s announcement. Currently the only other registered candidate is Republican Eric Wimberger of Green Bay.