American politician (born 1987)
Katrina Shankland (born August 4, 1987) is an American community organizer and Democratic politician from Stevens Point, Wisconsin . She served six terms as a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly , representing the 71st Assembly district from 2013 to 2025.
She was an unsuccessful candidate for the Democratic nomination for U.S. House of Representatives in Wisconsin's 3rd congressional district in 2024.
Biography
Shankland was born in Wausau, Wisconsin , in 1987, and raised in rural Wittenberg, Wisconsin . As a child, she participated in the Scripps National Spelling Bee after winning Wisconsin's Badger State Spelling Bee in 2000.[ 1] [ 2] [ 3] University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point at Wausau and Marquette University before earning her bachelor's degree in political science and Latin American studies from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 2009. She continued her education after joining the Assembly, earning her master's degree in 2019 from the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point .[ 3]
After graduating from college, she was employed for several years as a coordinator for the Midwest Renewable Energy Association.[ 4] Democratic Party of Wisconsin and was active for the campaign of Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett in the 2012 Wisconsin gubernatorial recall election .[ 3]
Political career
Shankland entered the Democratic primary race for Wisconsin State Assembly in the 71st Assembly district , which ultimately attracted nine candidates. Shankland narrowly won with 27% of the vote in the August primary, with a winning margin of 44 votes.[ 5] Patrick Testin , carrying 60% of the vote and winning the seat for the 2013–2014 term.[ 6] [ 7] [ 8] [ 9]
On October 2, 2023, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel United States House of Representatives in 2024 , challenging first-term Republican incumbent Derrick Van Orden in Wisconsin's 3rd congressional district .[ 10] [ 11] [ 12]
Electoral history
Year
Election
Date
Elected
Defeated
Total
Plurality
2012
Primary[ 5]
Aug. 14
Katrina Shankland
Democratic
1,383
26.96%
Corey D. Ladick
Dem.
1,339
26.10%
5,130
44
Jeri McGinkey
Dem.
836
16.30%
Andrew Logan Beveridge
Dem.
771
15.03%
David J. Verhage
Dem.
319
6.22%
Tom Mallison
Dem.
142
2.77%
Robert L. Steinke
Dem.
118
2.30%
Laura Hauser-Menting
Dem.
117
2.28%
Hans Schmid
Dem.
101
1.97%
General[ 6]
Nov. 6
Katrina Shankland
Democratic
17,619
60.82%
Patrick Testin Rep.
11,279
38.94%
28,968
6,340
2014
General[ 13]
Nov. 4
Katrina Shankland (inc.)
Democratic
17,134
97.79%
--unopposed--
17,521
16,747
2016
General[ 14]
Nov. 8
Katrina Shankland (inc.)
Democratic
21,834
98.90%
22,076
21,592
2018
General[ 15]
Nov. 6
Katrina Shankland (inc.)
Democratic
20,548
97.75%
21,022
20,074
2020
General[ 8]
Nov. 3
Katrina Shankland (inc.)
Democratic
17,753
55.51%
Scott C. Soik
Rep.
14,206
44.42%
31,979
3,547
2022
General[ 9]
Nov. 8
Katrina Shankland (inc.)
Democratic
15,930
57.05%
Scott C. Soik
Rep.
11,976
42.89%
27,923
3,954
Year
Election
Date
Elected
Defeated
Total
Plurality
2024
Primary[ 16]
Aug. 13
Rebecca Cooke
Democratic
42,316
50.51%
Katrina Shankland Dem.
34,812
41.55%
83,776
7,504
Eric Wilson
Dem.
6,624
7.91%
References
^ Milfred, Scott (April 9, 2000). "Standing atop word mountain" . Wisconsin State Journal . Retrieved February 9, 2024 – via Newspapers.com . ^ "Wittenberg-Birnamwood High School Class of 2005" . The Post-Crescent . Retrieved February 9, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .^ a b c "Representative Katrina Shankland" . Wisconsin Legislature . Retrieved February 12, 2021 .^ Zervakis, Pete (October 24, 2021). "In Focus: State Rep. Katrina Shankland thinks Wisconsin can do more to promote green energy" . Spectrum News 1 (Wisconsin) . Retrieved February 9, 2024 . ^ a b Canvass Results for 2012 Partisan Primary - 8/14/2012 (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Government Accountability Board . August 28, 2012. pp. 51– 52. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 28, 2020. Retrieved February 12, 2021 .^ a b Canvass Results for 2012 Presidential and General Election - 11/6/2012 (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Government Accountability Board . December 26, 2012. p. 25. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 21, 2020. Retrieved February 12, 2021 .^ "Shankland eager to prepare for job in Madison" . Stevens Point Journal . Retrieved February 12, 2021 .^ a b Canvass Results for 2020 General Election - 11/3/2020 (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Elections Commission . November 18, 2020. p. 24. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 15, 2021. Retrieved February 12, 2021 .^ a b Canvass Results for 2022 General Election - 11/8/2022 (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Elections Commission . November 30, 2022. p. 25. Retrieved October 2, 2023 .^ Andrea, Lawrence (October 2, 2023). "Democratic race for Wisconsin battleground 3rd Congressional District to grow with entrance of Katrina Shankland" . Milwaukee Journal Sentinel . Retrieved October 2, 2023 . ^ Mentzer, Rob (October 3, 2023). "State Rep. Katrina Shankland joins race to unseat GOP Rep. Derrick Van Orden" . Wisconsin Public Radio . Retrieved October 3, 2023 . ^ Andrea, Lawrence (August 13, 2024). "Rebecca Cooke wins heated Democratic primary to take on Rep. Derrick Van Orden" . Milwaukee Journal Sentinel . Retrieved 14 August 2024 . ^ Canvass Results for 2014 General Election - 11/4/2014 (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Government Accountability Board . November 26, 2014. p. 25. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 13, 2021. Retrieved February 12, 2021 .^ Canvass Results for 2016 General Election - 11/8/2016 (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Elections Commission . December 22, 2016. p. 25. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 7, 2020. Retrieved February 12, 2021 .^ Canvass Results for 2018 General Election - 11/6/2018 (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Elections Commission . February 22, 2019. p. 26. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 7, 2020. Retrieved February 12, 2021 .^ County by County Report - 2024 Partisan Primary (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Elections Commission . August 26, 2024. p. 4. Retrieved December 4, 2024 .
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