Gae Leila Magnafici (née Wycoff; born July 14, 1952) is an American nurse and politician, currently serving in the Wisconsin State Assembly, representing Polk County and part of St. Croix County. A Republican, she was first elected in 2018.
Gae Magnafici | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the 28th district | |
| Assumed office January 7, 2019 | |
| Preceded by | Adam Jarchow |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Gae Leila Wycoff July 14, 1952 Amery, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Thomas Magnafici |
| Children | 2 |
| Residence(s) | Dresser, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Sauk Valley Community College (AA) |
| Profession | Nurse, business owner, legislator |
| Website | Official website |
Early life and career
editMagnafici was born in Amery, Polk County, Wisconsin, and raised on a farm in the neighboring community of Deronda. She graduated from Amery High School and earned her Associate degree in Applied Science from Sauk Valley Community College in Dixon, Illinois. She became a registered nurse in 1982.[1]
Prior to receiving her RN certification, she worked for twelve years caring for developmentally disabled patients. Since that time, she worked for 35 years as a pediatric nurse, most recently at Children's Minnesota in Saint Paul, Minnesota, before retiring in 2017.[2]
Wisconsin State Legislature
editIn 2018, she ran for Wisconsin State Assembly to replace Adam Jarchow, who was not seeking another term.[2] She was unopposed in the primary election and went on to defeat her Democratic opponent in the general election, carrying 59% of the votes.[3]
In 2020, Magnafici was re-elected to a second term, defeating Democrat Kim Butler in a rematch of the 2018 election.[4]
In 2021, Magnafici proposed legislation to prevent the University of Wisconsin System and Wisconsin Technical College System from requiring on-campus students to be vaccinated or regularly tested against COVID-19 in order to access campus buildings.[5]
On January 5, 2021, Magnafici was one of 15 Wisconsin state legislators, all Republican, who signed on to a letter asking then Vice President Mike Pence to delay the counting of electoral votes on January 6.[6]
In 2022, Magnafici was re-elected to a third term, defeating former Democratic state senator Patty Schachtner.
In 2024, Magnafici was moved into the 75th district as a product of redistricting, and declined to seek re-election. In the primary she endorsed Duke Tucker, who went on to defeat two other Republican opponents and defeated Democrat Jane Kleiss in the general election.[7][8][9]
Personal life and family
editMagnafici sits on the board of the Polk County, Wisconsin, board of supervisors as a Citizen Member.[10]
Gae is married to Thomas Magnafici, they reside and own a small business in Dresser, Wisconsin. They have two adult children.[2]
Electoral history
editWisconsin State Assembly (2018–2022)
edit| Year | Election | Date | Elected | Defeated | Total | Plurality | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | General[11] | Nov. 6 | Gae Magnafici | Republican | 14,441 | 59.01% | Kim Butler | Dem. | 10,028 | 40.98% | 24,473 | 4,413 |
| 2020 | General[12] | Nov. 3 | Gae Magnafici (inc) | Republican | 21,678 | 63.93% | Kim Butler | Dem. | 12,230 | 36.06% | 33,911 | 9,448 |
| 2022 | General[13] | Nov. 8 | Gae Magnafici (inc) | Republican | 16,494 | 62.48% | Patty Schachtner | Dem. | 9,901 | 37.51% | 26,397 | 6,593 |
References
edit- ^ Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau (2019). "Elected officials: Legislature". Wisconsin Blue Book 2019-2020 (Report). Madison, Wisconsin: State of Wisconsin. p. 51. ISBN 978-1-7333817-0-3. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
- ^ a b c Lindgren, Suzanne (March 1, 2018). "Dresser Republican throws hat in ring for Assembly District 28 seat". The Osceola Sun. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
- ^ Canvass Results for 2018 General Election - 11/6/2018 (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Elections Commission. February 2, 2019. p. 16. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
- ^ "Magnafici campaign: Wins second term in State Assembly". WisPolitics. November 4, 2020. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
- ^ Kremer, Rich (2021-05-12). "Republican Bill Would Ban UW System, Tech Colleges From Requiring COVID-19 Testing Or Vaccinations". Wisconsin Public Radio. Retrieved 2021-05-13.
- ^ Conklin, Melanie (January 14, 2021). "GOP State Legislators Asked Pence to Not Certify Election". Wisconsin Examiner. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
- ^ "Rep. Magnafici: Announces retirement after distinguished service as Wisconsin state representative". WisPolitics. March 18, 2024. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
- ^ Marsten, Greg (March 28, 2024). "Sapik, Magnafici retiring; Tucker, Calhoun and Kline throw hats in". Burnett County Sentinel. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
- ^ Marsten, Greg (June 13, 2024). "Democrat Jane Kleiss files papers for 75th Assembly seat". Amery Free Press. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
- ^ "Polk County, WI, County Board of Supervisors - Members". Polk County, Wisconsin. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
- ^ Canvass Results for 2018 General Election - 11/6/2018 (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Elections Commission. February 22, 2019. p. 16. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
- ^ Canvass Results for 2020 General Election - 11/3/2020 (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Elections Commission. November 18, 2020. p. 14. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
- ^ Canvass Results for 2022 General Election - 11/8/2022 (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Elections Commission. November 30, 2022. p. 15. Retrieved October 2, 2024.