Scott Jensen (born August 24, 1960) is a businessman and former Republican legislator from Wisconsin.

Early life

Born in

Waukesha, Wisconsin Waukesha ( ) is the county seat of Waukesha County, Wisconsin, United States. It is part of the Milwaukee metropolitan area. Its population was 71,158 at the 2020 census. The city is adjacent to the Village of Waukesha. History The area that ...

, Jensen attended

Mukwonago High School Mukwonago High School is located in Mukwonago in Waukesha County, Wisconsin, United States. It is part of the Mukwonago Area School District. Approximately 1700 students attend the school, which has over 150 staff members. The original buildi ...

and graduated from

Drake University Drake University is a private university in Des Moines, Iowa. It offers undergraduate and graduate programs, including professional programs in business, law, and pharmacy. Drake's law school is among the 25 oldest in the United States. His ...

in 1982. He received a master's degree in public policy from

Harvard University Harvard University is a private Ivy League research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Founded in 1636 as Harvard College and named for its first benefactor, the Puritan clergyman John Harvard, it is the oldest institution of higher le ...

Kennedy School of Government The Harvard Kennedy School (HKS), officially the John F. Kennedy School of Government, is the school of public policy and government of Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The school offers master's degrees in public policy, public ...

in 1984. After receiving his graduate degree, Jensen worked in public relations, working as Director of Government Relations for Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce from 1984 to 1987.

Career

Jensen began in politics by working as the staff director of the Wisconsin Assembly's Republican caucus from 1987 to 1990, serving under Assembly minority leader David Prosser, Jr. While there, he ran the first campaign of

John Gard John G. Gard (born August 3, 1963) is an American lobbyist and former politician. A Republican, he was the 75th Speaker of the Wisconsin State Assembly (2003–2007) and was a member of the Assembly for 19 years. Gard also ran unsuccessful ...

for the Wisconsin Assembly in 1987. Jensen then worked as chief of staff for Wisconsin governor

Tommy Thompson Tommy George Thompson (born November 19, 1941) is an American Republican politician who most recently served as interim president of the University of Wisconsin System from 2020 to 2022. A member of the Republican Party, he previously served ...

from 1990 to 1992.

Public office

In 1992, Jensen was elected to the

Wisconsin State Assembly The Wisconsin State Assembly is the lower house of the Wisconsin Legislature. Together with the smaller Wisconsin Senate, the two constitute the legislative branch of the U.S. state of Wisconsin. Representatives are elected for two-year terms, ...

, representing the 32nd district, in a special election. In the special election primary in December 1991, Jensen barely defeated fellow Republican Donald Wilson, 1474 to 1436. He won the general special election against Democrat Shirley Wheelter in January 1992 by a two-to-one margin. Jensen was unopposed in the general election that year, and won by wide margins in elections in 1994, 1996, 1998, and 2000. In 2002, due to redistricting, Jensen was re-elected to the Assembly representing the 98th district, where he was unopposed in 2004. Jensen served in the Assembly until 2006. Jensen served as majority leader from 1994 to 1995 and speaker from 1995 to 2002. In the fall of 2002, Jensen and other legislative leaders were ensnared in a caucus scandal. He was charged with three felonies and one misdemeanor, including misconduct in public office and using state resources for campaigns. He was found guilty on all counts and sentenced to 15 months in prison. He appealed, and a new trial was ordered. He settled on a plea deal, whereby the felony charges were dropped in exchange for a plea of no contest on the misdemeanor charge. He served no jail time.

Current activities

Jensen works in the private sector with the Alliance for School Choice and Chartwell Strategic Advisors.Scott Jensen, LinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com/pub/scott-jensen/6/55a/178

Notes

{{DEFAULTSORT:Jensen, Scott Politicians from Waukesha, Wisconsin Drake University alumni Harvard Kennedy School alumni Speakers of the Wisconsin State Assembly Republican Party members of the Wisconsin State Assembly 1960 births Living people Wisconsin politicians convicted of crimes 21st-century American politicians People from Waukesha, Wisconsin