(Berlin, WI…) Republican leader State Rep. Kevin Petersen (R-Waupaca) today endorsed Kevin Krentz in the Republican primary to replace him in the state Assembly.
Rep. Petersen announced early in 2026 his decision not to seek reelection to the Assembly. Petersen was elected to the Assembly in 2006, and rose into leadership to become Speaker Pro Tempore as well as Assistant Majority Leader.
“Kevin Krentz embodies the conservative principles and values of limited government, low taxes, protecting the unborn, and personal freedoms. Kevin has a wealth of experience in the private sector from leading the state’s agricultural community and a rural insurance provider to serving as a local town chairman. He’s a small businessman and farmer. His depth of knowledge coupled with his conservative core values will be in invaluable to the families of the 57th Assembly District.”
Krentz said his goal in the Assembly is to empower working families and rein in government overreach.
“I plan to be a strong partner of Tom Tiffany to reduce property taxes and the overall size of state government. My goal is to make government work for the people and not the other way around. We need to focus on affordability, and getting government off the back of small businesses, entrepreneurs and working families,” said Krentz.
Krentz has served in a variety of leadership positions both locally and statewide. He was the President of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation from 2020 until 2023, board member for the American Farm Bureau Federation Board, UW-Madison College of Agricultural and Live Sciences Board of Visitors, Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection’s (DATCP) Agricultural Export Advisory Council and more. He was President of the Rural Mutual Insurance Company Board of Directors (2020-2024)
On the local level, Krentz was elected to the Aurora Town Board in 2004 serving for 10 years including as Chairman between 2010-2014.
In addition to Rep. Petersen, Krentz is endorsed in the GOP primary election by Wisconsin Family Action PAC, Jon Wilcox, Don Nelson and a multitude of local officials and leaders.
