Robert Richard Stafsholt (born November 1975) is an American farmer, businessman, and Republican politician from St. Croix County, Wisconsin. He is a member of the Wisconsin Senate, representing Wisconsin's 10th Senate district since 2021. He previously served two terms in the Wisconsin State Assembly, representing the 29th Assembly district from 2017 to 2021.
Early life and career Stafsholt graduated from New Richmond High School in 1994. He attended the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire and University of Wisconsin–River Falls.Rebecca C. Mariscal, Hear from the Wisconsin District 10 candidates, RiverTowns (October 13, 2020).
Stafsholt comes from a farming family and managed the family farm; he also ran his family's food manufacturing business, worked as a mortgage loan originator, and owned several rental units.Jason Schulte, Three declare for Murtha's seat, RiverTowns (March 17, 2016).
Political career
State Assembly In 2006 incumbent Republican Andy Lamb declined to seek re-election, Stafsholt was defeated by John Murtha by a 28-point margin.
In 2016, after Murtha declared that he would not seek re-election to a sixth term, Stafsholt filed to run for the 29th district seat. Stafsholt won the Republican primary, and defeated Democrat Scottie Ard in the 2016 general election. He was re-elected in 2018. In 2020, Stafsholt ran for Wisconsin State Senate from the 10th Senate district, defeating Cherlie Link of Somerset in the Republican primaryShawn Johnson, Wisconsin Primary Races Shape State Senate, Set Stage For November, Wisconsin Public Radio (August 11, 2020). and incumbent Democratic state senator Patty Schachtner in the general election.
In the state Assembly, Stafsholt sponsored legislation to eliminate state protections for wetlands and air qualitySteven Verburg, Wisconsin Republicans launch new rollback of air, water protections, Wisconsin State Journal (October 3, 2017). and to prohibit state and local government from using the power of eminent domain to create or extend bike trails, recreational trails, and sidewalks.Todd Richmonds, Evers budget restores eminent domain for bike trails, Associated Press (April 7, 2019). Stafsholt authored legislation in 2019 that eliminated Wisconsin's minimum hunting age.Sandy Cullen, Assembly eliminates Wisconsin's minimum hunting age, Wisconsin State Journal (November 3, 2017). In 2021, Stafsholt and other Republican state legislators demanded that the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources implement immediately a wolf hunt season before the wolf could potentially be re-added to the federal Endangered Species List.Todd Richmond, Republicans demand DNR resume wolf hunt immediately, Associated Press (January 19, 2021).
State Senate During his 2020 campaign for state Senate, Stafsholt criticized public-health orders issued by Governor Tony Evers to prevent the spread of COVID-19 during the pandemic, calling the orders "unlawful government overreach."Bailey Rieger-Borer, 10th Senate District Candidates Debate COVID-19 Response, Education Spending, Wisconsin Oublic Radio (October 28, 2020). In 2021, Stafsholt proposed legislation to prevent the University of Wisconsin System and Wisconsin Technical College System from requiring on-campus students to be vaccinated or regularly tested against COVID-19 in order to access campus buildings.
He is a member of the American Farm Bureau Federation, the National Rifle Association of America, the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance, and Safari Club International; he is a former member of the Wisconsin Bear Hunters' Association and the Wisconsin Association of Mortgage Brokers.
Electoral history
Wisconsin Assembly (2006) YearElectionDateElectedDefeatedTotalPlurality2006PrimaryRepublican1,58157.68%Rep.80029.19%5,5502,268Rep.36013.13%
Wisconsin Assembly (2016, 2018) YearElectionDateElectedDefeatedTotalPlurality2016Primary Republican1,35273.44% Rep.48526.34%1,841867GeneralRepublican16,77461.10%Dem.10,66138.83%27,4546,1132018GeneralRepublican12,52354.70%Dem.9,75042.58%22,8962,773Lib.6202.71%
Wisconsin Senate (2020, 2024) YearElectionDateElectedDefeatedTotalPlurality2020PrimaryRepublican12,60364.85%Rep.6,82835.13%19,4355,775GeneralRepublican61,91459.91%Dem.41,41038.83%103,35320,5042024GeneralRepublican66,65262.35%Dem.40,15837.57%106,89926,494
References
External links
Senator Rob Stafsholt at Wisconsin Legislature Official website Official website (Assembly - Archived December 2, 2020) Campaign website (2020) 29th Assembly District map (2011–2021) 10th Senate District map (2011–2021)