Ryan Spaude
Ryan Spaude | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the 89th district | |
| Assumed office January 6, 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Elijah Behnke |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 29, 1994 Green Bay, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Residence | Ashwaubenon, Wisconsin |
| Education | |
| Profession | Lawyer, politician |
| Website | Campaign website |
Ryan Matthew Spaude (born March 29, 1994) is an American lawyer and Democratic politician from Ashwaubenon, Wisconsin. He is a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly, representing Wisconsin's 89th Assembly district since 2025. He previously worked as an assistant district attorney in Brown County, Wisconsin.
Early life and career
[edit]Ryan Spaude was born in Green Bay, Wisconsin, in March 1994. He was raised by his parents in the town of Little Suamico, Wisconsin and graduated from Oconto Falls High School in 2012. He went on to earn his bachelor's degree from Princeton University in 2016.
After graduating from college, he interned for Congressman Reid Ribble (R–Wis.) and worked as a staff assistant for U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R–Iowa).[1] In the fall of 2017, he went to work as a researcher for Public Opinion Strategies.[2]
In 2019, he returned to school, attending the University of Wisconsin Law School in Madison. He earned his J.D. in 2022 and was hired as an assistant district attorney in Brown County, Wisconsin. His personal focus was on prosecuting drunk drivers.[3]
Political career
[edit]In 2024, the Wisconsin Legislature adopted a new redistricting act which replaced the decade-old Republican gerrymander. The Green Bay area was significantly affected by the changes, and Spaude's home, the politically competitive Green Bay suburb of Ashwaubenon, was moved into a new district—the 89th Assembly district. No incumbent legislator lived within the boundaries of the new 89th Assembly district, and in April 2024, Spaude announced that he would run for the seat as a Democrat.[4] He was unopposed for the Democratic Party nomination, but faced a serious matchup in the general election against Brown County board chair Patrick Buckley.[5] The new 89th Assembly district was projected to be one of the most politically competitive districts in the state and received heavy investment from both parties.[6] Spaude prevailed by 826 votes.[7]
Personal life and family
[edit]Ryan Spaude is the son of Scott (a welder) and Amy Spaude (a dental hygienist).[8][3] He's openly gay,[9][10] and the fifth generation of his family to live in northeast Wisconsin.[3]
Electoral history
[edit]Wisconsin Assembly (2024)
[edit]| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Election, November 5, 2024[7] | |||||
| Democratic | Ryan Spaude | 15,169 | 51.32% | +17.89pp | |
| Republican | Patrick Buckley | 14,343 | 48.52% | −18.00pp | |
| Scattering | 47 | 0.16% | |||
| Plurality | 826 | 2.79% | -30.30pp | ||
| Total votes | 29,559 | 100.0% | +12.27% | ||
| Democratic gain from Republican | |||||
References
[edit]- ^ "Salary Data of Ryan M. Spaude, Congressional Staffer". LegiStorm. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
- ^ "Candidate Profile - Ryan Spaude". Ballot Ready. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
- ^ a b c "About Me". Ryan Spaude for Assembly. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
- ^ Voight, Sophia (April 26, 2024). "Brown County Assistant DA Ryan Spaude announces Democratic bid for 89th Assembly District". Green Bay Press-Gazette. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
- ^ Voight, Sophia (April 25, 2024). "A look at who has said they plan to run in the Green Bay area for state Senate and Assembly in 2024". Green Bay Press-Gazette. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
- ^ "Assembly candidates Spaude, Buckley trade jabs over Buckley's latest ad". WGBA-TV. October 29, 2024. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
- ^ a b County by County Report - 2024 General Election (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Elections Commission. November 27, 2024. p. 89. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
- ^ "Campaign contributions Campaign 2024". Wisconsin Democracy Campaign. July 29, 2024. Retrieved February 6, 2025.
- ^ Spaude, Ryan (September 21, 2024). "Fun fact: I used to be a Republican..." Retrieved February 6, 2025 – via Facebook.
- ^ Kane, Christopher (October 23, 2024). "LGBTQ candidates running in key races up and down the ballot". Washington Blade. Retrieved February 6, 2025.