Jerry Petrowski

Jerome James "Jerry" Petrowski (born June 16, 1950) is a retired American Republican politician and a former ginseng, dairy, and beef farmer from Marathon County, Wisconsin. He represented Marathon County for 24 years in the Wisconsin Legislature, serving 11 years in the Wisconsin Senate (2012–2023) and 13 years in the state Assembly (1999–2012).

Jerry Petrowski
Member of the Wisconsin Senate from the 29th district
In office July 17, 2012 – January 3, 2023
Preceded by	Pam Galloway
Succeeded by	Cory Tomczyk
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the 86th district
In office January 3, 1999 – July 17, 2012
Preceded by	Thomas J. Springer
Succeeded by	John Spiros
Personal details
Born	(1950-06-16) June 16, 1950 (age 75) Wausau, Wisconsin, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Ellen M. Jensen ​ (m. 1973)​
Children	4
Residence	Marathon, Wisconsin
Education	University of Wisconsin-Marathon County Northcentral Technical College
Profession	Politician, farmer
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Army Reserve
Years of service	1968–1974

Early life and career

Petrowski was born on June 16, 1950, in Wausau, Wisconsin, and has lived most of his life in the Wausau area. He graduated from Wausau's Newman High School in 1968 and immediately enlisted in the United States Army Reserve.^[1] He served six years in the Army Reserve, and attended the University of Wisconsin–Marathon County and Northcentral Technical College.^[1]

He worked as a machinist at Marathon Electric Manufacturing Company for nine years, and during that time was a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers labor union.^[2] He subsequently became a small business owner and farmer and rancher, growing ginseng and raising dairy and beef cows.^[1]

Political career

Petrowski represented the 86th Assembly District in the Wisconsin State Assembly from 1999 to 2012. From 2003 to 2007 he served as the Majority Caucus Sergeant at Arms in the State Assembly.^[3]

Petrowski was a candidate in the recall election to replace fellow Republican State Senator Pam Galloway of the 29th Senate District, who had resigned after being targeted for recall.^[4] On June 5, 2012, Petrowski was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate, defeating Representative Donna Seidel with 61.34% of the vote.^[5]

Petrowski was the Chair of the Senate Transportation, Public Safety and Veterans and Military Affairs Committee, Vice Chair of the Senate Economic Development and Local Government Committee, and is a voting member of the Senate Agriculture, Small Business, and Tourism Committee, the Senate Financial Institutions and Rural Issues Committee, and the Joint Legislative Council. Petrowski also serves on the Governor’s Council on Highway Safety, Transportation Projects Commission, Rustic Roads Board, Scenic Byway Advisory Committee, Council on Military and State Relations, the State Council on Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children and the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point College of Natural Resources Advisory Board.^[6]

Personal life

Jerry Petrowski is the elder of two children born to Leo Petrowski and his wife Marcella (née Nowak). Lee Petrowski was also a lifelong resident of Marathon County, and worked as a millwright at Marathon Electric Manufacturing Company.^[7]

On December 1, 1973, Jerry Petrowski married Ellen Marie Jensen at Holy Name Catholic Church in Wausau.^[8] They have four adult children and three grandchildren.^[6]