Felzkowski to remain in State Senate, won’t seek higher office in 2026 midterms

TOMAHAWK – State Senator Mary Felzkowski (R-Tomahawk) this week announced that she will remain in her current post and will not seek higher office in the 2026 midterm elections.

Felzkowski represents Wisconsin’s 12^th Senate District, which encompasses all of Florence, Forest, Langlade, Lincoln, Marinette, Oneida and Vilas Counties, as well as parts of Oconto, Marathon and Shawano Counties. She has served as Senate President since January.

Offices Felzkowski could have potentially sought included the governorship and the seat representing Wisconsin’s 7^th Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives.

“I have spent my entire life in Wisconsin’s Northwoods, growing up working on my family’s Christmas tree farm, raising my children and running a small business,” Felzkowski said in a Monday, Oct. 13 statement. “I love the Northwoods, and representing the people of northern Wisconsin in Madison is a true honor.” 

Felzkowski said she made the decision “after months of thought, prayer and discussions with (her) husband,” noting that this is “not the right time” for her family.

“And besides, I love representing my constituents in Madison as a State Senator,” she stated. “There’s a lot of work still to be done in Wisconsin, and I look forward to continuing to fight for a brighter future in our state.”

Felzkowski said she is “truly grateful for all those who have reached out with words of encouragement and support over the last several months,” adding the she “(makes) this decision knowing that the Northwoods will continue to have strong representation in both Washington, D.C., and Madison.” 

Felzkowski was elected to her second four-year term in the State Senate in 2024. She was previously elected to the State Assembly in 2012, serving four two-year terms.