GOP Rep. Dean Kaufert, who returned to the Legislature this session after leaving a decade earlier when he became Neenah mayor, announced today he won’t seek reelection.
Kaufert said in a statement he has spent the last 38 years “representing this area trying to do what is right for the citizens—no matter what party affiliation they may be.”
That public career includes stints as a Neenah alderman, in the state Assembly from 1991-2014 and Neenah mayor 2014-22. He returned to the Legislature this session after winning a Dem-leaning district in 2024.
His seat will be one of the toughest for Republicans to defend this fall. Kaufert won 50.6% of the vote in 2024 as Donald Trump took 47.8% in his Neenah-Menasha district.
>> WisPolitics is now on the State Affairs network. Get custom keyword notifications, bill tracking and all WisPolitics content. Get the app or access via desktop.
Kaufert is the 11th member of the Assembly to announce plans to retire or seek higher office. He is the first from a swing seat to retire.
“Making a difference and standing up for those who need a voice—the little guy—has been at the heart of everything I have done,” Kaufert said.
