Jessie RodriguezServing

Jessie Rodriguez

State HouseRepublican

WI-21 State House

Age 48·Salvadoran American·Joint Committee on Finance (3rd biennium, 2021-present)

Why This Race Matters

Jessie Rodriguez is running against Dan Bukiewicz (D, Oak Creek Mayor); Jessica Seawright (D, disability rights advocate).

One of the most competitive Assembly seats in Wisconsin after 2024 redistricting replaced Republican-leaning Franklin areas with Democratic-leaning Milwaukee wards. Rodriguez won re-election in 2024 with just 51.4% against David Marstellar, while Harris carried the district by 4 points. As the first Hispanic immigrant in the WI Legislature, losing this seat would end a historic tenure.

Oak Creek Mayor Dan Bukiewicz announced his Assembly bid in January 2026 with endorsements from Assembly Democratic Leader Greta Neubauer and Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson, bringing significant name recognition in the district's largest city. Jessica Seawright, a social worker and disability rights advocate, also launched a campaign in September 2025. Rodriguez will face the D primary winner in November. Her strongest asset is her JFC position -- losing it would cost Republicans a seat on the state's most powerful committee. Primary Aug 11, 2026; general Nov 3, 2026.

Key dates to watch: Primary on August 11, 2026 and General Election on November 3, 2026.

About

Jessie Rodriguez is a Salvadoran American Republican serving her seventh term in the Wisconsin State Assembly representing District 21 (Oak Creek). Born Yesenia Edelmira Garay in Puerto El Triunfo, El Salvador, she fled the civil war in 1985, first settling in Massachusetts before moving to Milwaukee in the early 1990s. She made history as the first Hispanic immigrant elected to the Wisconsin Legislature when she won a special election in November 2013. A passionate school choice advocate, Rodriguez serves on the powerful Joint Committee on Finance for her third consecutive biennium, making her one of the most influential Republican voices on the state budget.

Family & Heritage

Born Yesenia Edelmira Garay on July 5, 1977, in Puerto El Triunfo, Usulutan Department, El Salvador. Fled during El Salvador's civil war in 1985 with her family, first relocating to Massachusetts before settling in Milwaukee in the early 1990s. Married to Aaron Rodriguez with son Noah. Resides in Oak Creek, Wisconsin.

Political Career

Before Politics

Analyst for a large supermarket chain; Communications outreach coordinator for Hispanics for School Choice (2011-2013); Major with Wisconsin Wing, Civil Air Patrol Legislative Squadron

Education

B.A. Communication Studies and Spanish, Marquette University, 2002; Alexander Hamilton High School, Milwaukee, 1996

Key Issues & Priorities

*School choice and parental empowerment in education
*Fiscal responsibility and tax relief
*Public safety and law enforcement funding
*Economic development
*Healthcare access

Notable Legislation

AB 602 - Federal School Choice Tax Credit

Directs the governor to opt Wisconsin into the federal tax credit program for contributions to scholarship granting organizations, providing up to $1,700 in dollar-for-dollar federal tax credits starting 2027

Passed Assembly 2025

AB 1042 / SB 989 - Combined Choice Programs

Combines Milwaukee, Racine, and Wisconsin Parental Choice Programs into a single Private School Choice Program beginning 2026-27

Introduced 2024

AB 900 - Choice Program Aid Fix

Ends reductions to state aid paid to school districts for per pupil payments under the Racine Parental Choice, Wisconsin Parental Choice, and Special Needs Scholarship programs

Introduced 2024

2013 Act 237

Established requirements for the parental choice program including accountability and transparency measures

Enacted 2013

Endorsements

Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC)Business
Wisconsin Realtors AssociationBusiness
Americans for ProsperityAdvocacy
School Choice WisconsinAdvocacy

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