William Penterman

William Penterman
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly
Assumed office
January 6, 2025
Preceded byBarbara Dittrich
Constituency38th district
In office
July 26, 2021 – January 6, 2025
Preceded byJohn Jagler
Succeeded byMark Born
Constituency37th district
Personal details
Born (1996-05-18) May 18, 1996
PartyRepublican
Alma materRipon College (BA)
WebsiteOfficial website
Military service
AllegianceUnited States
Branch/serviceUnited States Army
U.S. Army Reserve
Years of service2015–2019 (USA)
2019–present (USAR)
UnitMilitary Police Corps

William L. Penterman (born May 18, 1996) is an American dairy farmer and Republican politician from Columbus, Wisconsin. He is a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly, representing Wisconsin's 38th Assembly district since 2025; he previously represented the 37th Assembly district from July 2021 through January 2025.[1]

Biography

Penterman was born and raised in Wisconsin, working on his family's dairy farm.[2] He attended Ripon College, and while there founded Ripon College's chapter of Young Americans for Freedom—a Conservative youth organization.[2]

Penterman served in the United States Army from 2015 through 2019, in the Military Police Corps, and continues to serve in the United States Army Reserve.[2]

He worked as a legislative assistant in the Wisconsin State Assembly, and was clerk to the Assembly Committee on Campaigns and Elections during the post-election challenges to the results of the 2020 United States presidential election.[2]

In 2021, the 37th State Assembly district became vacant when incumbent John Jagler won a special election to the Wisconsin State Senate. Penterman declared his candidacy and narrowly won a crowded eight-candidate Republican primary.[3] He went on to win the special election with 54% over Democrat Pete Adams.[4]

Penterman won re-election against Dane County Board of Supervisors member, Maureen McCarville in November 2022. [1] In 2024, he defeated Democrat Izzy Nevarez in the 38th assembly district.

Electoral history

Wisconsin Assembly, 37th district (2021, 2022)

Year Election Date Elected Defeated Total Plurality
2021
(special)
Primary[5] Jun. 15 William Penterman Republican 758 19.81% Jennifer Meinhardt Rep. 742 19.39% 3,827 16
Debbie Jacques Rep. 621 16.23%
Nick Krueger Rep. 536 14.01%
Nathan Pollnow Rep. 514 13.43%
Steve Kauffeld Rep. 434 11.34%
Jenifer Quimby Rep. 182 4.76%
Cathy Houchin Rep. 39 1.02%
Special[6] Jul. 13 William Penterman Republican 3,742 54.10% Pete Adams Dem. 3,063 44.28% 6,917 679
Stephen W. Ratzlaff Jr. Ind. 112 1.62%
2022 General[7] Nov. 8 William Penterman (inc) Republican 15,343 55.77% Maureen McCarville Dem. 12,154 44.18% 27,509 3,189

Wisconsin Assembly, 38th district (2024)

Year Election Date Elected Defeated Total Plurality
2024 General[8] Nov. 5 William Penterman Republican 22,163 67.27% Izzy Hassey Nevarez Dem. 10,745 32.61% 32,948 11,418

References

  1. ^ "Monday, July 26, 2021". State of Wisconsin Assembly Journal. One-Hundred and Fifth Regular Session. Wisconsin Legislature. July 26, 2021. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d "About". Penterman for Assembly. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
  3. ^ Schmidt, Mitchell (June 16, 2021). "William Penterman holds narrow lead in 37th Assembly District special primary". Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
  4. ^ Schmidt, Mitchell (July 14, 2021). "William Penterman wins special election for 37th Assembly District". Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
  5. ^ AD 37 Special Partisan Primary County by County Report (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Elections Commission. June 23, 2021. p. 2. Retrieved January 5, 2026.
  6. ^ AD 37 Special Election County by County Report (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Elections Commission. July 22, 2021. p. 1. Retrieved January 5, 2026.
  7. ^ Canvass Results for 2022 General Election - 11/8/2022 (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Elections Commission. November 30, 2022. p. 17. Retrieved December 5, 2024.
  8. ^ County by County Report - 2024 General Election (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Elections Commission. November 27, 2024. p. 38. Retrieved January 5, 2026.