Ryan Matthew Spaude (born May 15, 1993) is an American lawyer and Democratic politician from Ashwaubenon, Wisconsin. He is a member-elect of the Wisconsin State Assembly, and will represent Wisconsin's 89th Assembly district in the 2025–2026 term. He also serves as an assistant district attorney in Brown County, Wisconsin, since 2022.
Ryan Spaude | |
|---|---|
| Member-elect of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the 89th district | |
| Assuming office January 6, 2025 | |
| Succeeding | Elijah Behnke |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 15, 1993 Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Residence | Ashwaubenon, Wisconsin |
| Education | |
| Profession | Lawyer, politician |
| Website | Campaign website |
Early life and career
editRyan 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
editIn 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
editRyan Spaude is a son of Steven and Elizabeth (née Klapatch) Spaude. He is a fifth generation resident of northeast Wisconsin.[5]
Electoral history
editWisconsin Assembly (2024)
edit| 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
edit- ^ "Other Births". Green Bay Press-Gazette. May 18, 1993. p. 4. Retrieved December 1, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Ryan Matthew Spaude". Green Bay Press-Gazette. February 12, 2012. p. 37. Retrieved December 1, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "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 "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.