John Jagler

John Jagler (born November 4, 1969) is an American radio broadcaster, communications consultant, and Republican politician from Watertown, Wisconsin. He is a member of the Wisconsin Senate, representing the 13th Senate district since 2021. He previously served four terms in the Wisconsin State Assembly, from 2013 to 2021.

Early life and career

Born in Louisville, Kentucky, Jagler moved to Oak Creek, Wisconsin, with his family at age 3 and graduated from Oak Creek High School in 1987. After graduating high school, he attended the University of Wisconsin–Parkside, but departed instead to the Trans-American School of Broadcasting in Madison, Wisconsin, where he earned an associate's degree in 1989. For several years he was the co-host of Wisconsin's Morning News with Gene Mueller. Jagler remained on his staff until announcing his own campaign for Wisconsin State Assembly in 2012.

The 37th Assembly district was significantly redrawn in the controversial Republican redistricting act of 2011 (2011 Wisc. Act 43). The previous representative of the 37th district, Democrat Andy Jorgensen, was drawn out of the district entirely, residing in what was—after 2011—the 43rd district, and leaving the 37th district an open seat. The new 37th district was heavily gerrymandered to create a Republican-majority district, and it resulted in a flood of Republican candidates entering the primary for the open seat. Jagler was endorsed by Speaker Fitzgerald and the entire Assembly Republican leadership. He also received substantial support from other Republican officeholders, including, significantly, State Representative Joel Kleefisch, whose 38th Assembly district previously covered much of the territory of the new 37th district. Kleefisch was also, notably, the husband of the new Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin, Rebecca Kleefisch, with the Kleefisches also being former broadcast reporters. In the August primary, Jagler cruised to victory over his four opponents. He went on to win the 2012 general election with 55% of the vote over Democrat Mary Arnold. Jagler served for five terms.

Shortly after the 2020 election, where State Senator Scott L. Fitzgerald, brother of former Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald, was elected to the United States House of Representatives, Jagler announced his candidacy for Fitzgerald's state senate seat. Jagler once again faced a crowded primary field and received substantial support from the party; he was immediately endorsed by Scott Fitzgerald. Jagler prevailed in the February primary with 57% of the vote, and went on to defeat Democrat Melissa Winker in the April special election.

Personal life and family Jagler and his wife, Heidi, have lived in Watertown, Wisconsin, for over 20 years. They have three children.

Wisconsin Senate (2021, 2022)