Scott Fitzgerald (politician)

Scott Fitzgerald (politician)
Name	Scott Fitzgerald
Birth date	15 December 1963
Birth place	Columbus, Wisconsin
Party	Republican Party
Spouse	Julie Fitzgerald
Alma mater	University of Wisconsin–Madison; Marquette University Law School
Occupation	Attorney; Politician

Scott Fitzgerald (politician) is an American attorney and Republican United States politician who has served as the U.S. Representative for Wisconsin's 5th congressional district since 2021. He previously represented Wisconsin in both the State Assembly and State Senate, and served as Majority Leader of the Wisconsin State Senate. Fitzgerald has been involved in state and national legislative leadership, interacting with organizations such as the National Conference of State Legislatures, American Legislative Exchange Council, and the Republican National Committee.

Early life and education

Fitzgerald was born in Columbus, Wisconsin and raised in the region near Madison. He attended Columbus High School before enrolling at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where he studied political science and participated in campus organizations connected to Wisconsin Badgers men's basketball and statewide student government. He earned a Juris Doctor from Marquette University Law School in Milwaukee, where he engaged with legal clinics that collaborated with entities such as the Wisconsin Bar Association and the American Bar Association.

Legal and early career

After law school Fitzgerald practiced law in Waukesha County, joining a local firm that represented clients in matters involving state statutes and administrative proceedings overseen by agencies like the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin. He worked on cases touching on regulatory issues influenced by decisions from the Wisconsin Supreme Court and pursued civic involvement through boards connected to the Waukesha County Chamber of Commerce and regional economic development initiatives coordinated with the Milwaukee 7 partnership.

Wisconsin State Assembly and Senate

Fitzgerald was first elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly from a district in Waukesha County where he served on committees including those dealing with commerce and judiciary matters, interacting with colleagues such as Tommy Thompson alumni and contemporaries in the Republican Party of Wisconsin. He later won election to the Wisconsin State Senate, representing a suburban Milwaukee-area district and rising to become Majority Leader. In that capacity he worked alongside figures like Scott Walker, coordinated legislative strategy with the American Legislative Exchange Council model legislation proponents, and confronted state-level controversies involving the John Doe investigations and budget battles with Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Department of Administration. Fitzgerald's Senate tenure involved negotiations on matters tied to the Wisconsin State Capitol and infrastructure projects funded through interactions with the U.S. Department of Transportation and regional planning commissions.

U.S. House of Representatives

In 2020 Fitzgerald ran for the open seat in Wisconsin's 5th congressional district after Representative Jim Sensenbrenner announced retirement. He won the Republican primary against opponents including candidates supported by clubs affiliated with the House Freedom Caucus and advocacy groups aligned with Club for Growth and secured victory in the general election. In Congress Fitzgerald joined the House Republican Conference and served on committees where he addressed issues intersecting with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, federal appropriations influenced by the House Committee on Appropriations, and policy debates involving agencies such as the Social Security Administration and the Internal Revenue Service. He has worked with members from delegations including representatives from Wisconsin's congressional delegation and caucuses like the Congressional Western Caucus on legislation affecting suburban constituencies and federal funding priorities.

Political positions and legislative record

Fitzgerald's positions align with mainstream Republican priorities on fiscal policy, regulatory reform, and law enforcement. He has supported tax policy measures consistent with the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 framework and voted for appropriations and spending priorities that reflect collaboration with the House Appropriations Committee and leadership such as Kevin McCarthy. On healthcare Fitzgerald has backed market-oriented reforms advocated by organizations like the American Medical Association critics and has engaged with debates involving the Affordable Care Act and state Medicaid programs administered in partnership with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. He has emphasized criminal justice provisions resonant with sheriffs’ associations and law enforcement unions, addressing issues raised by the U.S. Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. On election laws Fitzgerald has supported state-level measures paralleling actions in states such as Georgia and Texas and engaged with litigation touching the U.S. Supreme Court on disputes over electoral procedures. His voting record includes positions on foreign policy involving aid measures influenced by events like the Russian invasion of Ukraine and cooperation with allies in NATO.

Electoral history

Fitzgerald's electoral history spans local, state, and federal contests. He won multiple elections to the Wisconsin State Assembly and Wisconsin State Senate against Democratic and third-party opponents active in districts encompassing Waukesha County, Washington County, and suburban Milwaukee communities. In 2020 he succeeded Jim Sensenbrenner in the Republican primary and general election for the U.S. House of Representatives in Wisconsin's 5th district, overcoming challengers supported by groups including the Club for Growth and local conservative activists. His subsequent re-election bids have involved campaign activity coordinated with the National Republican Congressional Committee and endorsements from statewide figures such as former Governor Tommy Thompson and various county party organizations.

Category:1963 births Category:Living people Category:Members of the United States House of Representatives from Wisconsin Category:Republican Party (United States) politicians