• Born Zeeland, Michigan, February 19, 1972; married; 2 children.
• Graduate Holland Christian (Holland, Michigan), 1990. B.S. in Accountancy, Calvin College (Grand Rapids, Michigan), 1994.
• Business owner. Certified public accountant.
• Member: Assembly of State Legislatures (copresident); NFIB; Elmbrook Church Financial Counseling (director).
• Former member: WSCA School Board (vice chair, treasurer, secretary); WICPA; MMAC; Institute of Management Accountants (board member).
• Elected to Assembly 2010–12. Elected to Senate in July 2015 special election. Reelected 2018.

Opposed - Feb 2021 in Response to Governor Evers Budet plan to allow marijuana sales, Kapenga issued the following press release:

Consequences of Legalizing Marijuana Would be Disastrous for Wisconsin

“The legalization of recreational marijuana is not in the best interest of Wisconsinites. There are
serious health and societal issues that need to be understood, and Governor Evers shouldn’t
sacrifice the safety of the people of Wisconsin—particularly our children—in pursuit of the mighty
dollar.

“The Governor is adamant we follow science when it comes to COVID-19 but turns a blind eye when
it comes to legalizing a drug that has no FDA approval—which all other medicines are subject to.

“What happened to the honorable goal of keeping the people of Wisconsin and our kids safe?

“The National Academy of Medicine points to a significant correlation between marijuana and
psychosis, schizophrenia, and other psychotic disorders, particularly in teenagers where the risk of
developing schizophrenia increases three fold.

“In addition, an investigation published in the Journal of the American Medical Association,
Pediatrics concludes, “Cannabis use disorder is common among adolescents and young adults with
mood disorders and is associated with an elevated risk of self-harm, overall mortality, and death by
unintentional overdose and homicide in this already vulnerable population.”

“What happened to the honorable goal of keeping our communities safe?

“In Colorado, the crime rate increased 11 times faster than the nation since the legalization of
marijuana, including a nearly 20% increase in violent crimes.

“At the same time, drugged driving went from killing roughly one person every 6.5 days to every 2.5
days, since legalization was passed. A similar increase happened in Washington state, where the
number of traffic deaths due to marijuana-impaired drivers doubled the year after recreational
marijuana was legalized. 

“The Governor is sending a dangerous message of permissive drug use when parents, teachers,
medical professionals, and law enforcement are fighting against drug use.

“Legalizing the use of marijuana is not good for Wisconsin. If the use of marijuana really was
harmless, an affirming dope-using vote by the legislature wouldn’t be necessary.”  

Opposed

Opposed.

Senator Chris Kapenga is a Republican from Delafield and holds the Vice-Chair position on the Senate Committee that is currently blocking even the Republican version of a medical marijuana bill (SB 750) from a public hearing.   Senator Kapenga has consisting failed his constituency on cannabis reform and earns him another sesssion with a F rating.

2019 Senate Committee on Government Operations, Technology and Consumer Protection

(Chair) Senator Duey Stroebel (R – Saukville) (608) 266-7513 Email: Sen.Stroebel@legis.wisconsin.gov

(Vice Chair) Senator Chris Kapenga (R – Delafield) (608) 266-9174 Email: Sen.Kapenga@legis.wisconsin.gov

Vice Chair of Committee blocking the 2019-2020 legislation 

"The legalization of recreational marijuana is not in the best interest of Wisconsinites. There are serious health issues that need to be understood, and Gov. Evers shouldn’t sacrifice the safety of the people of Wisconsin—particularly our children—in pursuit of the mighty dollar." (2/10/21)

“The Governor is sending a dangerous message of permissive drug use when parents, teachers,
medical professionals, and law enforcement are fighting against drug use.
“Legalizing the use of marijuana is not good for Wisconsin. If the use of marijuana really was
harmless, an affirming dope-using vote by the legislature wouldn’t be necessary.” (2/10/21)

Email: Sen.Kapenga@legis.wisconsin.gov

Web: https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2023/legislators/senate/2422

Phone: 608-266-9174