Janis Ringhand

Janis Ringhand is an American businesswoman and former Democratic politician from Wisconsin. She served in the Wisconsin State Legislature for over a decade, representing constituents in the Rock County area, first in the Wisconsin State Assembly and later in the Wisconsin State Senate. Ringhand was known for her advocacy on issues related to education, healthcare, and support for local government and small businesses. Her legislative career concluded in 2023 after she did not seek re-election to the Wisconsin Senate.

Early life and education

Janis Ringhand was born on October 19, 1953, in Janesville, Wisconsin, a city within Rock County. She grew up in the region, which has a strong history in General Motors manufacturing and agriculture. For her higher education, Ringhand attended the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater, a campus within the University of Wisconsin System. She graduated with a degree in business administration, which provided a foundation for her subsequent career in both the private sector and public service. Prior to entering politics, she worked extensively in business management and operations.

Political career

Ringhand began her political career at the local level, serving for several years on the Evansville City Council and later as the city's mayor. She was first elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2010, winning the seat for the 45th Assembly District which included parts of Rock County and Green County. In the Wisconsin Legislature, she served on committees including the Assembly Education Committee and the Small Business Development Committee. In 2014, she was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate for the 15th Senate District, succeeding fellow Democrat Tim Cullen. During her tenure in the Wisconsin Senate, Ringhand was the Assistant Minority Leader for the Senate Democratic Caucus and served on key committees such as the Senate Economic Development Committee and the Agriculture and Financial Institutions Committee. She was a consistent advocate for increasing state aid to public schools, expanding BadgerCare healthcare access, and supporting technical college programs.

Electoral history

In the 2010 election for the 45th Assembly District, Ringhand, a Democrat, defeated Republican candidate Kimberly L. Horeth. She won re-election to the Assembly in 2012. In the 2014 election for the 15th Senate District, she won the open seat, defeating Republican Brian Fitzgerald. Ringhand was re-elected to the Wisconsin Senate in 2018, prevailing over Republican challenger Scott D. Gunderson. She chose not to seek re-election in the 2022 election, and the seat was subsequently won by Democratic Assemblymember Mark Spreitzer.

Personal life

Ringhand resides in Evansville, Wisconsin. She has been involved with numerous community organizations in the Rock County area throughout her life. Her personal and professional background in business management informed her legislative focus on economic issues. Since leaving the Wisconsin State Legislature, she has remained active in local civic affairs and the Democratic Party of Wisconsin.

Category:1953 births Category:Living people Category:Members of the Wisconsin State Assembly Category:Members of the Wisconsin State Senate Category:Wisconsin Democrats Category:People from Janesville, Wisconsin Category:University of Wisconsin–Whitewater alumni Category:Women state legislators in Wisconsin