Amy Sue Vruwink

Amy Sue Vruwink (born May 22, 1975) is an American farmer and Democratic politician from Wood County, Wisconsin. She served 12 years in the Wisconsin State Assembly, representing Wisconsin's 70th Assembly district from 2003 to 2015. After leaving office, she worked as a district representative for U.S. representative Ron Kind from 2015 to 2023.

Early life Amy Sue Vruwink was born in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, on May 22, 1975. She was raised on her father's farm in the town of Sherry, Wisconsin, and graduated from Auburndale High School in neighboring Auburndale. She went on to attend Marian University, a Catholic private college in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, and earned her bachelor's degree in communications in 1997. Throughout her early years, Vruwink was active in 4-H and Future Farmers of America. After a vigorous campaign, Vruwink won the primary in a landslide, taking 78% of the vote. Around the same time, Vruwink announced she planned to run again. Between the 2000 and 2002 elections, the state also underwent redistricting, but the 70th Assembly district was barely affected.

Vruwink faced a primary opponent again in 2002, but prevailed by a wide margin, taking 71% of the vote. Vruwink was the subject of a significant volume of policy-based attacks during the 2002 campaign, suggesting she would prioritize a Milwaukee highway project over a local highway, and questioning her position on abortion. There was also an attempt by Republicans to connect her to the recent "caucus scandal" in Madison, because she was one of several Assembly candidates who had received support from tainted third party PACs in the 2000 election. Despite the barrage of attacks, Vruwink won the election by healthy margin, receiving 54.5% of the vote.

After leaving office, Vruwink returned to working as a congressional staffer, this time for U.S. representative Ron Kind (D–La Crosse). Vruwink was hired in January 2015 as Kind's district representative in the central Wisconsin portion of his 3rd congressional district. She continued working for Kind until he retired in January 2023.

Personal life and family Amy Sue Vruwink is one of eight children born to James T. Vruwink and his wife Donna ( Spranger). She is a first cousin of Don Vruwink, the current Wisconsin commissioner of railroads, who also previously served in the Wisconsin State Assembly.

On July 8, 2000, she married Matthew J. Crane at St. James Catholic Church, in Vesper, Wisconsin. They have two children together. and was the city's youngest ever mayor when he was first elected, at age 24.

Electoral history Wisconsin Assembly (2000–2014) Year Election Date Elected Defeated Total Plurality 2000 Primary Democratic 2,705 78.73% Dem. 730 21.25% 3,436 1,975 General Republican 12,071 50.17% Dem. 11,975 49.77% 24,060 96 2002 Primary Democratic 5,337 71.36% Dem. 2,141 28.63% 7,479 3,196 General Democratic 9,207 53.56% Rep. 7,953 46.27% 17,190 1,254 2004 General Democratic 18,120 63.03% Rep. 10,622 36.95% 28,747 7,498 2006 General Democratic 14,278 66.52% Rep. 7,180 33.45% 22,074 7,098 2008 General Democratic 19,490 69.62% Rep. 8,495 30.34% 27,995 10,995 2010 General Democratic 12,178 53.75% Rep. 10,461 46.17% 22,658 1,717 2012 General Democratic 13,518 50.19% Rep. 13,374 49.65% 26,936 144 2014 General Republican 11,766 52.78% Dem. 10,508 47.14% 22,293 1,258