21 Facts About Chris Kapenga

Chris Kapenga is the president of the Wisconsin Senate, since 2021, and has served in the state Senate since 2015, representing Wisconsin's 33rd Senate district.

Chris Kapenga previously served two and a half terms in the Wisconsin State Assembly.

Chris Kapenga was born in Zeeland, Michigan, on February 19,1972.

Chris Kapenga earned his bachelor's degree in accounting from Calvin College and subsequently worked as an accountant.

Chris Kapenga owned a business, Integrated Time Systems, that provided timekeeping systems to businesses.

Chris Kapenga sold the business in 2019 to Ascentis Corp.

In 2014, Kapenga invested in Eye Care of Wisconsin, an optometrist network; his wife ran the business's operation and Kapenga became its registered agent.

Chris Kapenga made his first run for public office in 2010, running for Wisconsin State Assembly in the 33rd district.

Chris Kapenga sought to succeed Republican Scott Newcomer, who had declined to run for reelection.

Chris Kapenga's region was significantly affected by the redistricting; he was drawn out of the 33rd Assembly district and drawn into the 99th Assembly district.

Chris Kapenga entered the race to succeed him in the Wisconsin Senate.

Chris Kapenga was opposed in the Republican primary by neighboring state representative Paul Farrow.

Two days after the county executive election, Chris Kapenga announced he would run in the special election to succeed Farrow in the Wisconsin Senate.

Chris Kapenga ran unopposed for re-election in 2018 and 2022.

In 2017, Chris Kapenga was one of two Senate Republicans to join Democrats in voting against a proposed state constitutional amendment to eliminate the position of State Treasurer of Wisconsin.

Chris Kapenga had introduced legislation to change the law to allow Tesla to open dealerships in two previous legislative sessions, but the proposals did not pass.

Chris Kapenga described himself as a hobbyist and said that he would not personally profit from the change in the law.

In October 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic in Wisconsin, Chris Kapenga claimed, contrary to public health experts, that face masks were not effective in halting the spread of the coronavirus.

Chris Kapenga said that he did not trust data showing a dire strain on Wisconsin hospital capacity.

Days later, Chris Kapenga spoke at a rally supporting defeated presidential candidate Donald Trump, who at that time was still contesting the results of the 2020 presidential election in Wisconsin.

Chris Kapenga has an "F" rating from the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws for his voting history regarding cannabis-related causes.