Ryan Spaude

Ryan Spaude
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly
from the 89th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 6, 2025
Preceded byElijah Behnke
Personal details
Born (1993-05-15) May 15, 1993 (age 31)
Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
ResidenceAshwaubenon, Wisconsin
Education
ProfessionLawyer, politician
WebsiteCampaign website

Ryan Matthew Spaude (born May 15, 1993) is an American lawyer and Democratic politician from Ashwaubenon, Wisconsin. He is a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly, and represents Wisconsin's 89th Assembly district in the 2025–2026 term. He also serves as an assistant district attorney in Brown County, Wisconsin, since 2022.

Early life and career

Ryan Spaude was born in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, in May 1993.[1] As a child, he moved with his parents to the town of Little Suamico, Wisconsin, in Oconto County, and graduated from Oconto Falls High School in 2012. While attending high school, he began taking college courses at the nearby University of Wisconsin–Green Bay campus, and was president of the Oconto Falls chapter of the National Honor Society.[2] He went on to attend Princeton University, where he earned his bachelor's degree in 2016.

After graduating from college, he took an internship in the U.S. House of Representatives, and was then hired as a staff assistant in the office of U.S. senator Joni Ernst (R–Iowa).[3] In the fall of 2017, he went to work as a researcher for the political pollster Public Opinion Strategies.[4]

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. Since becoming a prosecutor, he has focused on drunk driving cases.[5]

Political career

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 city, the politically competitive Green Bay suburb of Ashwaubenon, became its own 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 Democratic candidate.[6] He was unopposed for the Democratic Party nomination, but faced a serious matchup in the general election against Brown County board chair Patrick Buckley.[7] 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.[8] Spaude prevailed by 826 votes.[9]

Personal life and family

Ryan Spaude is a son of Steven and Elizabeth (née Klapatch) Spaude. He is a fifth generation resident of northeast Wisconsin.[5]

Electoral history

Wisconsin Assembly (2024)

Wisconsin Assembly, 89th District Election, 2024
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
General Election, November 5, 2024[9]
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

  1. ^ "Other Births". Green Bay Press-Gazette. May 18, 1993. p. 4. Retrieved December 1, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ "Ryan Matthew Spaude". Green Bay Press-Gazette. February 12, 2012. p. 37. Retrieved December 1, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ "Salary Data of Ryan M. Spaude, Congressional Staffer". LegiStorm. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
  4. ^ "Candidate Profile - Ryan Spaude". Ballot Ready. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
  5. ^ a b "About Me". Ryan Spaude for Assembly. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ 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.
  8. ^ "Assembly candidates Spaude, Buckley trade jabs over Buckley's latest ad". WGBA-TV. October 29, 2024. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
  9. ^ a b County by County Report - 2024 General Election (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Elections Commission. November 27, 2024. p. 89. Retrieved December 1, 2024.