Jacob VandenPlas, founder of DC Farm for Vets, and a 13-year Wisconsin National Guard veteran, formally announced his candidacy for Wisconsin’s 1st State Senate District during an event Thursday evening at the Lodge at Leathem Smith.
VandenPlas has remained active in regional politics since his 2022 campaign for the U.S. House in Wisconsin’s 8th Congressional District. In that race, he received more than 10 % of the vote in a three-way contest, a notable showing for a Libertarian candidate in the state.
The 1st Senate District includes all of Door and Kewaunee counties and parts of Brown and Manitowoc counties under Wisconsin’s current legislative maps. The seat is currently held by Republican Sen. André Jacque, who has not publicly confirmed whether he plans to seek reelection. Democrat and local entrepreneur Sean Grorich has already announced his candidacy for the seat.
During Thursday’s event, VandenPlas spoke about frustration with the state’s two-party political system and outlined priorities that include protecting individual liberties, promoting fiscal responsibility, and advocating for veterans.
Running as a Republican, VandenPlas says that his campaign could expand voter options in a district that has consistently leaned Republican in recent election cycles. Community members and local party officials attended the gathering, which ran from 5 to 7 p.m. and was open to the public.
