Joan Fitzgerald (politician)

This article is about the state legislator from Wisconsin. For the former president of the Colorado Senate, see Joan Fitz-Gerald.

Joan Fitzgerald
Member-elect of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the 46th district
Assuming office January 6, 2025
Succeeding	Melissa Ratcliff
Member of the Board of Supervisors of Jefferson County, Wisconsin, from the 26th district
In office February 2019 – April 2024
Preceded by	Gregg Patrick
Succeeded by	Amanda Golson
Personal details
Born	Joan Marie Wypiszynski 1964 or 1965 (age 59–60) Wisconsin, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Gerald Reed Fitzgerald
Children	2
Residence	Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin
Education	University of Wisconsin–Whitewater (B.S., M.S.)
Profession	Educator
Website	Campaign website

Joan Marie Fitzgerald (née Wypiszynski; born c.1965) is an American Democratic politician and retired high school teacher from Jefferson County, Wisconsin. She is a member-elect of the Wisconsin State Assembly, and will represent Wisconsin's 46th Assembly district in the 2025–2026 term. She previously served five years as a member of the Jefferson County Board of Supervisors.

Biography

Joan Fitzgerald was born Joan Wypiszynski in Wisconsin. She was raised and educated in Greendale, Wisconsin, graduating from Greendale High School in 1982. She attended the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater, earning her bachelor's degree in secondary education, and then her master's in educational curriculum and instruction. She worked for 33 years as a high school math teacher in the public schools of Jefferson, Wisconsin, before retiring in 2020. She was a founding member of the Whitewater Area Chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America.

Political career

Joan Fitzgerald obtained her first public office in 2019, when she was appointed to the Jefferson County Board of Supervisors. She was elected to a full two-year term in 2020 and re-elected without opposition in 2022.

In February 2024, Fitzgerald announced that she would run for Wisconsin State Assembly. At the time, the state's legislative maps were in flux, as the Wisconsin Supreme Court had struck down the decade-old Republican gerrymander but a remedial plan had not yet been adopted. Within days of her announcement, the state adopted a remedial redistricting plan. Fitzgerald's home region was significantly affected by the redistricting, moving her from the 33rd district to the 46th. Her new district comprised most of the western half of Jefferson County along with part of eastern Dane County; the only incumbent residing in the district, Melissa Ratcliff, had already announced a bid for state Senate, leaving an open seat in the 46th Assembly district. Fitzgerald faced no opponent in the Democratic Primary, and went on to the general election against Republican Jenifer Quimby, the mayor of Waterloo, Wisconsin. Fitzgerald won the election by 1,766 votes, and is set to take office in January 2025.

Personal life and family

Joan Fitzgerald is one of three children born to Robert J. and Mary Lou (née Crabb) Wypiszynski.

Joan Wypiszynski took the last name Fitzgerald when she married Gerald Fitzgerald. They reside in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, and have two adult children.

Electoral history

Wisconsin Assembly (2024)

Wisconsin Assembly, 46th District Election, 2024

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
General Election, November 5, 2024
	Democratic	Joan Fitzgerald	18,985	52.39%	−17.26pp
	Republican	Jenifer Quimby	17,219	47.52%	+17.25pp
		Scattering	32	0.09%
Plurality			1,766	4.87%
Total votes			36,236	100.0%	+21.86%
	Democratic hold

External links

• Campaign website
• Profile at Vote Smart