Senator Patrick Testin is a Republican representing Wisconsin's 24th Senate District, which covers Central and Western Wisconsin, including Portage County. Elected in 2016 after defeating a long-time Democratic incumbent in a seat not held by a Republican since 1968, he won re-election in 2020 with a nearly 13% margin. He currently serves as Senate President Pro Tempore and has held leadership roles such as Majority Caucus Vice Chair . Notable achievements include chairing the Senate Committee on Labor, Regulatory Reform, Veterans and Military Affairs , previously chairing the Senate Health Committee and the Committee on Workforce Development, Military Affairs, and Senior Issues, and serving on the budget-writing Joint Finance Committee. He has focused on policies supporting public safety, veterans, rural healthcare access, local government, agriculture, and workforce development, passing dozens of bills in these areas. Testin is also a member of the Agricultural Education and Workforce Development Council, Wisconsin Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial Commission, Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, and Wisconsin-Ireland Trade Commission. He lives in Portage County with his wife, Hannah, and their two dogs.

Education and Political Experience

Testin grew up in small-town Wisconsin, working various jobs during high school and college to fund his education. He earned a degree in political science from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point in 2011, where he led in student government. Post-graduation, he worked on political campaigns, served as chairman of the Portage County Republican Party, and built a career in sales while volunteering as a football coach, joining the Stevens Point Elks Lodge #641, and participating in Ignite Young Professionals . His Senate service began in 2016, with additional committee roles on Senate Health, Senate Agriculture and Tourism, Joint Survey Committee on Tax Exemptions, and Joint Committee on Information Policy and Technology. As a business advocate, he has addressed regulatory burdens on small businesses.