Spring Green, WI – State Senator Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green) today announced he will seek re-election to represent the 17th Senate District in the Wisconsin State Senate. Marklein will begin circulating nomination papers on April 15, 2026.
 
“I am proud of everything we have accomplished together to make Wisconsin a great place to live, work, and raise a family. Southern Wisconsin has a strong voice in the State Capitol and I am excited to continue our work in the next session. 
 
Today, I am excited to announce that I am running for re-election to continue to represent the 17th Senate District in the State Senate.
 
I am running again to keep investing in our shared priorities, protect Wisconsin’s checkbook, continue working across the aisle to solve problems, and move Wisconsin forward.
 
As Co-Chair of the Joint Finance Committee (JFC), I have a front-row seat in shaping Wisconsin’s budget and priorities. I have always used that position to ensure that our communities are well represented when decisions about state spending are made. I am proud to have led three successful bipartisan state budgets that have made historic investments in our K-12 schools, local governments, and infrastructure, strengthened our hospitals and healthcare system, and returned billions of dollars to taxpayers through tax relief for the middle-class and retirees. We accomplished this all while putting Wisconsin in one of the strongest fiscal positions in the country, boasting record surpluses and continuing to pay off debt and invest in the rainy day fund. 
 
In addition to the state budget, I authored nearly 20 bills that were signed into law, each with bipartisan support. Many of these bills came directly from those I represent. 
 
I introduced bills to add signage for the Mount Horeb Veterans Memorial along Highway 151, help with recruitment and retention of local EMS personnel, protect victims of sexual assault, incentivize businesses to expand access to health insurance and child care, and provide additional workforce opportunities for retired state employees. 

In addition, I was also proud to be an original co-author of nearly 100 bills and advocate for legislation that ensures health care for new moms and babies, prohibits cell phones during class time, and supports Wisconsin’s hardworking families.  
 
We have made a lot of progress, but there is more work to do. I am running again to keep investing in our shared priorities, protect Wisconsin’s checkbook, continue working across the aisle to solve problems, and move Wisconsin forward.