Staush Gruszynski (born February 13, 1985) is an American politician who formerly served in the Wisconsin State Assembly, representing the 90th Assembly District. He is a member of the Democratic Party.

Staush Gruszynski
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly
from the 90th district
In office
January 7, 2019 – January 4, 2021
Preceded byEric Genrich
Succeeded byKristina Shelton
Personal details
Born (1985-02-13) February 13, 1985 (age 39)
Marinette, Wisconsin, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseColleen Gruszynski
Children1
RelativesStan Gruszynski (uncle)
ResidenceGreen Bay, Wisconsin
Alma materUniversity of Wisconsin–Oshkosh (B.S.)
WebsiteAssembly page

Electoral history

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Gruszynski has served on the Brown County Board of Supervisors since 2014, and won an unopposed election in 2018 to take over the seat of State Representative Eric Genrich, who was seeking to run for mayor of Green Bay.[1][2]

On August 11, 2020, Gruszynski lost a partisan primary for his seat to Green Bay Area Public School District board member Kristina Shelton.[3]

Personal life

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Born in Marinette, Wisconsin, Gruszynski is the nephew of Stan Gruszynski, a former Wisconsin State Representative from the Plover area. According to his campaign website, Gruszynski spent summers working for his father's construction business and volunteering for his uncle's campaigns, which he notes sparked his early interest in politics.[4]

Gruszynski is involved in conservation efforts, serving as the president of Green Bay's chapter of conservation group Trout Unlimited, as well as the political director for the Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters.

Gruszynski attended the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh, and received a degree in political science and public administration in 2008.

In December 2019, the Wisconsin Legislative Human Resources Office substantiated a complaint that Gruszynski sexually harassed a legislative staffer at a bar.[5] Democratic party leaders called on Gruszynski to resign, stripped him of his committee assignments, and prohibited him from caucusing with Democrats.[6] Gruszynksi acknowledged that, on the night of the incident, he "was black out drunk [and] made inappropriate comments" but also "apologized [to the staffer] and was remorseful."[7]

References

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  1. ^ "Staush Gruszynski". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2019-04-17.
  2. ^ "Brown County Supervisor Staush Gruszynski of Green Bay to seek Eric Genrich's Assembly seat". Press Gazette Media. Retrieved 2019-04-17.
  3. ^ "Shelton defeats incumbent Gruszynski, advances to face Kirsteatter for Assembly District 90 seat". WBAY. August 11, 2020. Retrieved August 12, 2020.
  4. ^ "About". staushforassembly.com. Retrieved 2019-04-17.
  5. ^ Schmidt, Mitchell (December 20, 2019). "Assembly Democrats call for resignation of Rep. Staush Gruszynksi amid sexual harassment complaint". Wisconsin State Journal. Capital Newspapers, Inc. Retrieved December 22, 2019.
  6. ^ Beck, Molly (December 19, 2019). "Green Bay lawmaker accused of sexually harassing staff member in Legislature". Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. Gannett. Retrieved December 22, 2019.
  7. ^ Reilly, Briana (August 13, 2020). "Legislature releases records of Staush Gruszynski sexual harassment probe". Cap Times. Retrieved June 9, 2021.
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Wisconsin State Assembly
Preceded by Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the 90th district
January 7, 2019 – December 28, 2020
Succeeded by