72nd Wisconsin Legislature

The Seventy-Second Wisconsin Legislature convened from January 12, 1955, to October 21 1955, in regular session.[1]

72nd Wisconsin Legislature
71st 73rd
Wisconsin State Capitol
Overview
Legislative bodyWisconsin Legislature
Meeting placeWisconsin State Capitol
TermJanuary 3, 1955 – January 7, 1957
ElectionNovember 2, 1954
Senate
Members33
Senate PresidentWarren P. Knowles (R)
President pro temporeFrank E. Panzer (R)
Party controlRepublican
Assembly
Members100
Assembly SpeakerMark Catlin Jr. (R)
Party controlRepublican
Sessions
RegularJanuary 12, 1955 – October 21, 1955

This was the first legislative session after the redistricting of the Senate and Assembly according to an act of the 1951 session (The implementation of that redistricting act had been delayed to the 1954 election).

Senators representing odd-numbered districts were newly elected for this session and were serving the first two years of a four-year term. Assembly members were elected to a two-year term. Assembly members and odd-numbered senators were elected in the general election of November 2, 1954. Senators representing even-numbered districts were serving the third and fourth year of a four-year term, having been elected in the general election of November 4, 1952.[1]

Major events

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Major legislation

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  • August 3, 1955: An Act ... relating to incorporation of certain towns as fourth class cities, 1955 Act 500. This act dramatically reduced the population density requirements in order for a community to incorporate as a fourth-class city. The act was commonly known as the "Oak Creek Law", because the Milwaukee suburb had worked to pass this law in order to avoid further annexation to the city of Milwaukee.
  • 1955 Joint Resolution 14. Second legislative passage of a proposed amendment to the state constitution to create a new section establishing qualifications for state judges and allowing the legislature to set a mandatory retirement age. This amendment was ratified by voters at the 1955 April election.
  • 1955 Joint Resolution 17. Second legislative passage of a proposed amendment to the state constitution to add an exception for retired teachers in the rules on changes to compensation for state employees. This amendment was ratified by voters at the 1956 April election.

Party summary

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Senate summary

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Senate partisan composition
  Democratic: 8 seats
  Republican: 25 seats
Party
(Shading indicates majority caucus)
Total
Dem. Rep. Vacant
End of previous Legislature 7 24 31 2
Start of Reg. Session 8 25 33 0
From Nov. 1, 1955[note 1] 24 32 1
From Apr. 13, 1956[note 2] 23 31 2
Final voting share 25.81% 74.19%
Beginning of the next Legislature 10 23 33 0

Assembly summary

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Assembly partisan composition
  Democratic: 36 seats
  Republican: 64 seats
Party
(Shading indicates majority caucus)
Total
Dem. Rep. Vacant
End of previous Legislature 25 72 97 3
Start of Reg. Session 36 64 100 0
From Oct. 12, 1955[note 3] 63 99 1
From Apr. 16, 1956[note 4] 35 98 2
Final voting share 35.71% 64.29%
Beginning of the next Legislature 33 67 100 0

Sessions

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  • Regular session: January 12, 1955 – October 21, 1955

Leaders

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Senate leadership

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Assembly leadership

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Members

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Members of the Senate

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Members of the Senate for the Seventy-Second Wisconsin Legislature:[2]

 
Senate partisan representation
  Democratic: 8 seats
  Republican: 25 seats
Dist. Counties Senator Residence Party
01 Door, Kewaunee, & Manitowoc Alfred A. Laun Jr. Kiel Rep.
02 Brown Leo P. O'Brien Green Bay Rep.
03 Milwaukee (South City) Casimir Kendziorski Milwaukee Dem.
04 Milwaukee (North County) Harry F. Franke Jr. Milwaukee Rep.
05 Milwaukee (Northwest City) Walter L. Merten Milwaukee Rep.
06 Milwaukee (City center) William A. Schmidt Milwaukee Dem.
07 Milwaukee (South County & Southeast City) Leland McParland Cudahy Dem.
08 Milwaukee (Western County) Allen Busby West Milwaukee Rep.
09 Milwaukee (City Downtown) Henry Maier Milwaukee Dem.
10 Buffalo, Dunn, Pepin, Pierce, & St. Croix Robert P. Knowles New Richmond Rep.
11 Milwaukee (Western City) Richard J. Zaborski Milwaukee Dem.
12 Iron, Lincoln, Oneida, Price, Taylor, & Vilas Bernard J. Gehrmann Mellen Rep.
13 Dodge & Washington Frank E. Panzer Oakfield Rep.
14 Outagamie & Waupaca Gerald Lorge Bear Creek Rep.
15 Rock Peter P. Carr Janesville Rep.
16 Dane (Excluding Madison) Foster B. Porter Bloomington Rep.
17 Grant, Green, Iowa, & Lafayette Robert S. Travis Platteville Rep.
18 Fond du Lac, Green Lake & Waushara Alfred Van De Zande Campbellsport Rep.
19 Calumet & Winnebago William Draheim Neenah Rep.
20 Ozaukee & Sheboygan Louis H. Prange Plymouth Rep.
21 Racine Lynn E. Stalbaum Racine Dem.
22 Kenosha & Walworth William Trinke Lake Geneva Rep.
23 Barron, Burnett, Polk, Rusk, Sawyer, & Washburn Paul J. Rogan (Res. Nov. 1, 1955) Ladysmith Rep.
24 Clark, Portage, & Wood William W. Clark Vesper Rep.
25 Ashland, Bayfield, & Douglas Carl Lauri Merrill Dem.
26 Dane (Madison) Gaylord Nelson Madison Dem.
27 Columbia, Crawford, Richland, & Sauk Jess Miller Richland Center Rep.
28 Chippewa & Eau Claire Arthur L. Padrutt (Res. Apr. 13, 1956) Chippewa Falls Rep.
29 Marathon & Shawano Hugh M. Jones Wausau Rep.
30 Florence, Forest, Langlade, Marinette, & Oconto Philip Downing Amberg Rep.
31 Adams, Juneau, Monroe, Marquette, & Vernon J. Earl Leverich Sparta Rep.
32 Jackson, La Crosse, & Trempealeau Raymond Bice Sr. La Crosse Rep.
33 Jefferson & Waukesha Chester Dempsey Hartland Rep.

Members of the Assembly

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Members of the Assembly for the Seventy-Second Wisconsin Legislature:[2]

 
Assembly partisan composition
  Democratic: 36 seats
  Republican: 64 seats
 
Milwaukee County districts
Senate
Dist.
County Dist. Representative Party Residence
31 Adams, Juneau, & Marquette Louis C. Romell Rep. Adams
25 Ashland & Bayfield Vic C. Wallin Rep. Grand View
23 Barron Charles H. Sykes Rep. Cameron
02 Brown 1 Jerome Quinn Rep. Green Bay
2 Robert E. Lynch Dem. Green Bay
3 Edward A. Seymour Rep. De Pere
10 Buffalo, Pepin, & Pierce Mamre H. Ward Rep. Durand
23 Burnett & Polk Raymond A. Peabody Rep. Milltown
19 Calumet Henry M. Peters Rep. Menasha
28 Chippewa Sylvia H. Raihle Rep. Chippewa Falls
24 Clark Walter E. Cook (died Oct. 12, 1955) Rep. Unity
27 Columbia Everett Bidwell Rep. Portage
Crawford & Richland Milford C. Kintz Rep. Richland Center
26 Dane 1 Joseph Wheeler Bloodgood Dem. Madison
2 Ivan A. Nestingen (Res. Apr. 16, 1956) Dem. Madison
3 Carroll Metzner Rep. Madison
16 4 Carl W. Thompson Dem. Stoughton
5 Ervin M. Bruner Dem. Verona
13 Dodge 1 Elmer L. Genzmer Rep. Mayville
2 Elmer C. Nitschke Rep. Beaver Dam
01 Door & Kewaunee Frank N. Graass Rep. Sturgeon Bay
25 Douglas 1 Reino A. Perala Dem. Superior
2 Lawrence M. Hagen Rep. Superior
10 Dunn G. H. Bakke Rep. Menomonie
28 Eau Claire 1 Ray Kuhlman Rep. Eau Claire
2 Bernard H. Raether Dem. Augusta
30 Florence, Forest, & Langlade Alfred J. Lauby Dem. Antigo
18 Fond du Lac 1 Nicholas J. Lesselyoung Rep. Fond du Lac
2 Fred W. Schlueter Rep. Ripon
17 Grant William A. Loy Rep. Fennimore
Green Harry A. Keegan Rep. Monroe
18 Green Lake & Waushara William Belter Rep. Wautoma
17 Iowa & Lafayette Walter B. Calvert Rep. Benton
12 Iron, Oneida, & Vilas Marvin E. Dillman Rep. Lac du Flambeau
32 Jackson & Trempealeau Keith C. Hardie Dem. Taylor
33 Jefferson Byron F. Wackett Rep. Watertown
22 Kenosha 1 George Molinaro Dem. Kenosha
2 Joseph Lourigan Dem. Kenosha
32 La Crosse 1 James D. H. Peterson Rep. La Crosse
2 Eugene A. Toepel Rep. La Crosse
12 Lincoln Emil A. Hinz Rep. Merrill
01 Manitowoc 1 Hugo E. Vogel Dem. Manitowoc
2 Frank J. LeClair Rep. Two Rivers
29 Marathon 1 Ben A. Riehle Dem. Athens
2 Paul A. Luedtke Rep. Wausau
30 Marinette Roy H. Sengstock Rep. Marinette
04 Milwaukee 1 Edward F. Mertz Dem. Milwaukee
09 2 Walton Bryan Stewart Dem. Milwaukee
3 Joseph A. Greco Dem. Milwaukee
11 4 Joseph P. Murphy Dem. Milwaukee
05 5 Lawrence W. Timmerman Rep. Milwaukee
09 6 Isaac N. Coggs Dem. Milwaukee
06 7 James G. Lippert Dem. Milwaukee
11 8 George Talsky Dem. Milwaukee
05 9 Charles J. Schmidt Dem. Milwaukee
06 10 Michael F. O'Connell Dem. Milwaukee
03 11 Ervin J. Ryczek Dem. Milwaukee
12 George Sokolowski Dem. Milwaukee
06 13 Cecil B. Brown Jr. Dem. Milwaukee
03 14 Richard B. Nowakowski Dem. Milwaukee
05 15 Earle W. Fricker Rep. Milwaukee
11 16 Thomas J. Duffey Dem. Milwaukee
07 17 Howard F. Pellant Dem. Milwaukee
04 18 Ralph Landowski Dem. Milwaukee
19 William Kasik Rep. Milwaukee
08 20 Glen Pommerening Rep. Wauwatosa
21 Arthur J. Balzer Dem. West Allis
22 Robert T. Huber Dem. West Allis
07 23 William Luebke Dem. Milwaukee
24 George C. Windrow Dem. Cudahy
31 Monroe Earl D. Hall Rep. Tomah
30 Oconto Reuben La Fave Rep. Oconto
14 Outagamie 1 Mark Catlin Jr. Rep. Appleton
2 William T. Sullivan Rep. Kaukauna
20 Ozaukee Warren A. Grady Rep. Port Washington
24 Portage John Kostuck Dem. Stevens Point
12 Price & Taylor Vincent J. Zellinger Rep. Phillips
21 Racine 1 Earl W. Warren Dem. Racine
2 Roy E. Naleid Dem. Racine
3 Anthony B. Rewald Rep. Burlington
15 Rock 1 Clyde Jewett Rep. Janesville
2 David Blanchard Rep. Edgerton
3 Wallace Leschinsky Rep. Beloit
23 Rusk, Sawyer, & Washburn Willis J. Hutnik Rep. Tony
27 Sauk James R. Stone Rep. Reedsburg
29 Shawano Robert G. Marotz Rep. Shawano
20 Sheboygan 1 Fred E. Nuernberg Rep. Sheboygan
2 Harold F. Huibregtse Rep. Sheboygan Falls
10 St. Croix William A. Bergeron Rep. Somerset
16 Vernon Bernard Lewison Rep. Viroqua
22 Walworth Ora R. Rice Rep. Delavan
13 Washington Elmer J. Schowalter Rep. Jackson
33 Waukesha 1 Alvin J. Redford Rep. Waukesha
2 Alfred R. Ludvigsen Rep. Hartland
14 Waupaca Richard E. Peterson Rep. Clintonville
19 Winnebago 1 Harvey R. Abraham Rep. Oshkosh
2 Joseph H. Anderson Rep. Winneconne
3 Arnold J. Cane Rep. Menasha
24 Wood 1 John S. Crawford Rep. Marshfield
2 Arthur J. Crowns Rep. Wisconsin Rapids

Committees

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Senate committees

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  • Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture and Conservation – J. E. Leverich, chair
  • Senate Standing Committee on Committees – J. Miller, chair
  • Senate Standing Committee on Contingent Expenditures – L. H. Prange, chair
  • Senate Standing Committee on Education and Public Welfare – W. W. Clark, chair
  • Senate Standing Committee on Governmental and Veterans Affairs – A. L. Padrutt, chair
  • Senate Standing Committee on Highways – J. Miller, chair
  • Senate Standing Committee on the Judiciary – A. Busby, chair
  • Senate Standing Committee on Labor, Taxation, Insurance, and Banking – A. Van De Zande, chair
  • Senate Standing Committee on Legislative Procedure – F. E. Panzer, chair

Assembly committees

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  • Assembly Standing Committee on Agriculture – O. R. Rice, chair
  • Assembly Standing Committee on Commerce and Manufactures – M. H. Ward, chair
  • Assembly Standing Committee on Conservation – R. La Fave, chair
  • Assembly Standing Committee on Contingent Expenditures – W. Belter, chair
  • Assembly Standing Committee on Education – W. J. Hutnik, chair
  • Assembly Standing Committee on Elections – F. E. Nuernberg, chair
  • Assembly Standing Committee on Engrossed Bills – L. M. Hagen, chair
  • Assembly Standing Committee on Enrolled Bills – R. A. Peabody, chair
  • Assembly Standing Committee on Excise and Fees – E. L. Genzmer, chair
  • Assembly Standing Committee on Highways – G. H. Bakke, chair
  • Assembly Standing Committee on Insurance and Banking – R. H. Sengstock, chair
  • Assembly Standing Committee on the Judiciary – N. J. Lesselyoung, chair
  • Assembly Standing Committee on Labor – W. E. Cook, chair
  • Assembly Standing Committee on Municipalities – P. A. Luedtke, chair
  • Assembly Standing Committee on Printing – F. J. LeClair, chair
  • Assembly Standing Committee on Public Welfare – S. H. Raihle, chair
  • Assembly Standing Committee on Revision – E. C. Nitschke, chair
  • Assembly Standing Committee on Rules – R. G. Marotz, chair
  • Assembly Standing Committee on State Affairs – E. A. Toepel, chair
  • Assembly Standing Committee on Taxation – W. A. Grady, chair
  • Assembly Standing Committee on Third Reading – A. J. Redford, chair
  • Assembly Standing Committee on Transportation – L. C. Romell, chair
  • Assembly Standing Committee on Veterans and Military Affairs – B. F. Wackett, chair

Joint committees

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  • Joint Standing Committee on Finance – F. B. Porter (Sen.) & A. R. Ludvigsen (Asm.), co-chairs
  • Joint Standing Committee on Revisions, Repeals, and Uniform Laws – W. Trinke (Sen.) & A. J. Cane (Asm.), co-chairs

Employees

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Senate employees

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  • Chief Clerk: Lawrence R. Larsen[3]
  • Sergeant-at-Arms: Harold Damon
    • Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms: Anton J. Oelmiller

Assembly employees

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Changes from the 71st Legislature

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New districts for the 72nd Legislature were defined in 1951 Wisconsin Act 728, passed into law in the 70th Wisconsin Legislature. This was the most significant redistricting of the state since 1896.

Senate redistricting

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Summary of Senate changes

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  • 11 districts were left unchanged.
  • Brown County became its own district (2) after previously having been in a shared district with Oconto.
  • Dane County went from having 1 district to 2 (16, 26).
  • Milwaukee County went from having 7 districts to 8 (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11), representing nearly a quarter of State Senate seats.

Senate districts

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Dist. 71st Legislature 72nd Legislature
1 Door, Kewaunee, Manitowoc counties Door, Kewaunee, Manitowoc counties
2 Brown, Oconto counties Brown County
3 Milwaukee County (city south) Milwaukee County (city south)
4 Milwaukee County (northeast) Milwaukee County (northern quarter)
5 Milwaukee County (city northwest) Milwaukee County (city northwest)
6 Milwaukee County (city north-central) Milwaukee County (city northeast)
7 Milwaukee County (southeast) Milwaukee County (southern quarter)
8 Milwaukee County (west) Milwaukee County (middle-west)
9 Milwaukee County (city center) Milwaukee County (city center)
10 Buffalo, Pepin, Pierce, St. Croix counties Buffalo, Dunn, Pepin, Pierce, St. Croix counties
11 Bayfield, Burnett, Douglas, Washburn counties Milwaukee County (city west)
12 Ashland, Bayfield, Price, Rusk, Sawyer counties Ashland, Iron, Price, Rusk, Sawyer, Vilas counties
13 Dodge, Washington counties Dodge, Washington counties
14 Outagamie, Shawano counties Outagamie, Waupaca counties
15 Rock County Rock County
16 Crawford, Grant, Vernon counties Dane County (excluding Madison)
17 Green, Iowa, Lafayette counties Grant, Green, Iowa, Lafayette counties
18 Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Waushara counties Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Waushara counties
19 Calumet, Winnebago counties Calumet, Winnebago counties
20 Ozaukee, Sheboygan counties Ozaukee, Sheboygan counties
21 Racine County Racine County
22 Kenosha, Walworth counties Kenosha, Walworth counties
23 Portage, Waupaca counties Barron, Burnett, Polk, Rusk, Sawyer, Washburn counties
24 Clark, Taylor, Wood counties Clark, Portage, Wood counties
25 Lincoln, Marathon counties Ashland, Bayfield, Douglas counties
26 Dane County Dane County (Madison)
27 Columbia, Richland, Sauk counties Columbia, Crawford, Richland, Sauk counties
28 Chippewa, Eau Claire counties Chippewa, Eau Claire counties
29 Barron, Dunn, Polk counties Marathon, Shawano counties
30 Florence, Forest, Langlade, Marinette, Oneida counties Florence, Forest, Langlade, Marinette, Oconto counties
31 Adams, Juneau, Monroe, Marquette counties Adams, Juneau, Monroe, Marquette, Vernon counties
32 Jackson, La Crosse, Trempealeau counties Jackson, La Crosse, Trempealeau counties
33 Jefferson, Waukesha counties Jefferson, Waukesha counties

Assembly redistricting

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Summary of Assembly changes

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  • 36 districts were left unchanged.
  • The number of counties in shared districts doubled from 15 to 30.
  • Brown County went from having 2 districts to 3.
  • Dane County went from having 3 districts to 5.
  • Eau Claire County went from having 1 district to 2.
  • Milwaukee County went from having 20 districts to 24.
  • Rock County went from having 2 districts to 3.
  • Winnebago County went from having 2 districts to 3.
  • Wood County went from having 1 district to 2.

Assembly districts

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County Districts in 71st Legislature Districts in 72nd Legislature Change
Adams Shared with Marquette Shared with Juneau & Marquette  
Ashland 1 District Shared with Bayfield  
Barron 1 District 1 District  
Bayfield 1 District Shared with Ashland  
Brown 2 Districts 3 Districts  
Buffalo Shared with Pepin Shared with Pepin & Pierce  
Burnett Shared with Washburn Shared with Polk  
Calumet 1 District 1 District  
Chippewa 1 District 1 District  
Clark 1 District 1 District  
Columbia 1 District 1 District  
Crawford 1 District Shared with Richland  
Dane 3 Districts 5 Districts   
Dodge 2 Districts 2 Districts  
Door 1 District Shared with Kewaunee  
Douglas 2 Districts 2 Districts  
Dunn 1 District 1 District  
Eau Claire 1 District 2 Districts  
Florence Shared with Forest & Oneida Shared with Forest & Langlade  
Fond du Lac 2 Districts 2 Districts  
Forest Shared with Florence & Oneida Shared with Florence & Langlade  
Grant 2 Districts 1 District  
Green 1 District 1 District  
Green Lake Shared with Waushara Shared with Waushara  
Iowa 1 District Shared with Lafayette  
Iron Shared with Vilas Shared with Oneida & Vilas  
Jackson 1 District Shared with Trempealeau  
Jefferson 1 District 1 District  
Juneau 1 District Shared with Adams & Marquette  
Kenosha 2 Districts 2 Districts  
Kewaunee 1 District Shared with Door  
La Crosse 2 Districts 2 Districts  
Lafayette 1 District Shared with Iowa  
Langlade 1 District Shared with Florence & Forest  
Lincoln 1 District 1 District  
Manitowoc 2 Districts 2 Districts  
Marathon 2 Districts 2 Districts  
Marinette 1 District 1 District  
Marquette Shared with Adams Shared with Adams & Juneau  
Milwaukee 20 Districts 24 Districts    
Monroe 1 District 1 District  
Oconto 1 District 1 District  
Oneida Shared with Florence & Forest Shared with Iron & Vilas  
Outagamie 2 Districts 2 Districts  
Ozaukee 1 District 1 District  
Pepin Shared with Buffalo Shared with Buffalo & Pierce  
Pierce 1 District Shared with Buffalo & Pepin  
Polk 1 District Shared with Burnett  
Portage 1 District 1 District  
Price 1 District Shared with Taylor  
Racine 3 Districts 3 Districts  
Richland 1 District Shared with Crawford  
Rock 2 Districts 3 Districts  
Rusk Shared with Sawyer Shared with Sawyer & Washburn  
Sauk 1 District 1 District  
Sawyer Shared with Rusk Shared with Rusk & Washburn  
Shawano 1 District 1 District  
Sheboygan 2 Districts 2 Districts  
St. Croix 1 District 1 District  
Taylor 1 District Shared with Price  
Trempealeau 1 District Shared with Jackson  
Vernon 1 District 1 District  
Vilas Shared with Iron Shared with Iron & Oneida  
Walworth 1 District 1 District  
Washburn Shared with Burnett Shared with Rusk & Sawyer  
Washington 1 District 1 District  
Waukesha 2 Districts 2 Districts  
Waupaca 1 District 1 District  
Waushara Shared with Green Lake Shared with Green Lake  
Winnebago 2 Districts 3 Districts  
Wood 1 District 2 District  

Notes

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  1. ^ Republican Paul J. Rogan (23rd District) resigned.
  2. ^ Republican Arthur L. Padrutt (28th District) resigned.
  3. ^ Republican Walter E. Cook (Clark County) died.
  4. ^ Democrat Ivan A. Nestingen (Dane County) resigned.

References

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  1. ^ a b Barish, Lawrence S.; Lemanski, Lynn, eds. (2021). "Historical Lists" (PDF). State of Wisconsin Blue Book 2021–2022 (Report). Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. pp. 468, 471, 475, 479–480. ISBN 978-1-7333817-1-0. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
  2. ^ a b Toepel, M. G.; Kuehn, Hazel L., eds. (1956). "Biographies". The Wisconsin Blue Book 1956 (Report). Wisconsin Legislative Reference Library. pp. 23–68. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  3. ^ a b Toepel, M. G.; Kuehn, Hazel L., eds. (1956). "The State Government: Legislative Branch". The Wisconsin Blue Book 1956 (Report). Wisconsin Legislative Reference Library. pp. 287–291. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
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