André Jacque

André Jacque (born October 13, 1980) is an American politician who serves as a Wisconsin State Senator, representing the 1st senatorial district as a Republican since 2019. He previously served four terms in the Wisconsin State Assembly (2011–2019).

André Jacque
Jacque in 2020
Member of the Wisconsin Senate
from the 1st district
Assumed office
January 7, 2019
Preceded byCaleb Frostman
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly
from the 2nd district
In office
January 3, 2011 – January 7, 2019
Preceded byTed Zigmunt
Succeeded byShae Sortwell
Personal details
Born (1980-10-13) October 13, 1980
Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseRenée Jacque
Children6
ResidenceDe Pere, Wisconsin
Alma materUniversity of Wisconsin–Madison (B.S.)
ProfessionPolitician
WebsiteJacque's Home Page

Early life and career

Jacque was born in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin on October 13, 1980, and graduated from Green Bay Southwest High School.[1] He earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 2003 and received a graduate certificate from the Madison's Robert M. La Follette School of Public Affairs.[2] He worked as a transit planning coordinator, communications director and a grant-writing consultant before beginning his political career.[2]

Jacque is the board chair of both Great Lakes/St. Lawrence River Legislative Caucus Executive Board and Nutrient Management Taskforce and the Small Business Regulatory Review and the state lead for the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators. He serves as a board member for the Wisconsin Council on Domestic Abuse, Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority, Council on Workforce Investment, Family and Childcare Resources of Northeast Wisconsin Board, Green Bay Area Crime Stoppers, Van Handel Memorial Foundation Board for Families of Children with Special Needs, Brown County Tax Payer Association, and the Knights of Columbus.

Jacque was a former board member of the Wisconsin Small Business Environmental Council, Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board, Council on Tourism, Golden House Domestic Violence Shelter Community Leadership Council, Wisconsin Association of Municipal and County Assistant Managers, National Association of Local Government Environmental Professionals Grants Management Taskforce, and the Wisconsin Higher Educational Aids Board in 2001, and served from 2001 to 2003.[2]

Political career

In 2010 Jacque was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly to represent Wisconsin's 2nd Assembly District. He was reelected to the Assembly in 2012 and ran unopposed for reelection in 2014. In 2016 he also faced no major party opposition. Jacque is a member of the Brown County Taxpayers Alliance, Pro-Life Wisconsin, Wisconsin Right to Life and the National Rifle Association.[3] On May 15, 2018 he won the Republican primary election for the vacant seat for the 1st Senate District but was defeated in the June special election by Democrat Caleb Frostman.[4] He later defeated Frostman in November 2018, winning a full four-year term in the Wisconsin State Senate.[5] Jacque was awarded the Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce's "Future 15" award in 2011[6] and again in 2018.[7] He was awarded the 2019–'20 Legislator of the Year award by the Wisconsin VFW for his close work with them.[8]

COVID-19 pandemic
See also: COVID-19 pandemic in Wisconsin

In 2021, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Jacque was outspoken against vaccine mandates and authored legislation that would bar government officials or business owners from requiring Wisconsinites to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or show proof of vaccination to access services.[9] Jacque also opposed the statewide mask mandate implemented by Gov. Tony Evers and joined legislation to end it. He tested positive for COVID-19 and was hospitalized with pneumonia in August.[10]

On August 17, 2021, it was reported that he was "tired but in good spirits."[11] On August 20, 2021, State Rep. Shae Sortwell stated in a Facebook post that Sen. Andre Jacque: "is in serious need of your prayers. [...] He is in the hospital with Covid induced pneumonia."[12] On August 25, 2021, Jacque was placed on a ventilator, but was listed in stable condition.[13] In addition, Jacque's brother Pierre fired back at Sortwell, stating: "I am praying that you shut the hell up and f*** off." Sortwell, like Jacque, has opposed vaccine mandates and wearing face masks. Pierre Jacque went on to say in his post: "Go get the vaccine. Or at least be honest and let your flock know that the 'choice' they are making is between effective scientifically backed preventative medicine, or choking on a vent ..."[14] On August 30, 2021, Jacque's wife pleaded: "that those individuals who are eligible and able to receive the COVID-19 vaccine please consider placing their trust in the medical professionals who recommend it."[15]

On September 21, 2021, Jacque was transferred from the hospital to a care facility after being on a ventilator for almost a month. It is unclear what type of facility and whether Jacque was vaccinated. His office did not clarify when asked.[16] He returned to work the second week of October 2021 and reported that he was still using a walker but feeling better every day. He started a meeting by thanking everyone who had supported him during his battle with the disease, including medical professionals helping him through his recovery.[17] On November 8, 2021, Jacque returned to the Senate floor, calling himself "very blessed that God's not done with me yet."[18]

Asked on whether his time in the hospital and months-long physical therapy had changed his views on how Wisconsin could handle public health issues, he said he would not comment on COVID-19 but that he did have some "insights" from his months-long stay in hospitals and rehabilitation centers.[19]

References
  1. "Andre Jacque". WisconsinVote.org. Wisconsin Public Radio. Archived from the original on September 29, 2014. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
  2. "Biography". State Senator André Jacque. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  3. "Representative Andre Jacque". Wisconsin State Legislature. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
  4. Terkel, Amanda (June 12, 2018). "Democrats Score Special Election Upset In Wisconsin District Trump Won Big". HuffPost. Archived from the original on December 8, 2020. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
  5. Welter, Liz (November 7, 2018). "Andre Jacque wins Senate District 1 seat". Green Bay Press-Gazette. Archived from the original on November 25, 2021. Retrieved November 11, 2018.
  6. Hogeland, Jennifer (January 23, 2011). "Future 15" (PDF) (advertorial). Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 21, 2012. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
  7. Bollier, Jeff (January 17, 2018). "Green Bay Chamber announces Future 15 honorees". Green Bay Press Gazette. Archived from the original on November 25, 2021.
  8. "VFW Legislator of the Year". Seehafer News. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  9. Bauer, Scott (August 17, 2021). "Wisconsin GOP senator critical of mask mandates has COVID-19". Associated Press. Archived from the original on October 20, 2021. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  10. Beck, Molly (August 17, 2021). "Sen. Andre Jacque of De Pere hospitalized after testing positive for COVID-19". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Archived from the original on September 1, 2021.
  11. Fitzgerald, Debra (August 20, 2021). "Sen. Jacque 'Tired, But in Good Spirits'". Door County Pulse. Archived from the original on August 21, 2021. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  12. Beck, Molly (August 21, 2021). "Legislator calls for prayers for state Sen. Andre Jacque, who is hospitalized with COVID induced pneumonia". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Archived from the original on September 22, 2021. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
  13. Bauer, Scott (August 25, 2021). "Wisconsin lawmaker with COVID-19 on ventilator, stable". Associated Press. Archived from the original on October 28, 2021. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
  14. Beck, Molly (August 26, 2021). "Democratic lawmaker's call for donations against sick lawmaker sparks outrage". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Archived from the original on November 25, 2021. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
  15. "Wife of Sen. Jacque: "Consider placing trust in medical professionals who recommend COVID-19 vaccine"". WBAY-TV. August 30, 2021. Archived from the original on September 22, 2021.
  16. Beck, Molly (September 21, 2021). "Sen. Andre Jacque released from hospital after month-long stay with COVID-19". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Archived from the original on November 25, 2021. Retrieved September 21, 2021.
  17. Richmond, Todd (October 14, 2021). "Wisconsin lawmaker returns to work after bout of COVID-19". Associated Press. Archived from the original on October 14, 2021. Retrieved November 25, 2021.
  18. Beck, Molly (November 8, 2021). "Sen. Andre Jacque, on his return from severe COVID, says he's 'blessed that God's not done with me yet'". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Archived from the original on November 25, 2021.
  19. Kirwan, Hope (December 14, 2021). "Sen. Jacque Won't Discuss Whether Getting COVID-19 Changed His Views". Archived from the original on December 14, 2021. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
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