Jerry Petrowski

Jerry James 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).

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. He served six years in the Army Reserve, and attended the University of Wisconsin–Marathon County and Northcentral Technical College. He subsequently became a small business owner and farmer and rancher, growing ginseng and raising dairy and beef cows.

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. On June 5, 2012, Petrowski was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate, defeating Representative Donna Seidel with 61.34% of the vote.

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.

Personal life Jerry Petrowski is one of two children born to Leo Petrowski and his wife Marcella ( Nowak). Leo Petrowski was also a lifelong resident of Marathon County, and worked as a millwright at Marathon Electric Manufacturing Company.

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