Biography

A former radio personality and legislative assistant, Senator Erpenbach was elected to represent the 27th Senate District in November of 1998 and was re-elected in 2002 and 2006. Jon’s Senate colleagues elected him Senate Democratic Leader in December 2002.  He served in that position until December 2004.

Jon began as a radio personality on two Madison area radio stations and also worked for a Milwaukee station.  He subsequently worked in both the State Assembly and State Senate in media relations and as communications director. An advocate for citizen involvement and campaign finance reform, Jon is a member of the Dane County NAACP, Monroe Noon Optimists, WI Farm Bureau, League of Women Voters,1,000 Friends, and the League of Conservation Voters. He is also a very involved Dad at Kromrey Middle School and Middleton High School.

Representing parts of Green, Rock, LaFayette and Dane counties, Jon’s Senate district is one of the most geographically diverse districts in the state. Since his inauguration in January 1999, he has worked to lead the Senate in the areas of personal privacy (the proud author of Wisconsin’s “Do Not Call” Legislation), health care reform, proactive educational reforms, and property tax relief.


Awards:
  • AFSCME Council 11 "Friend of the Public Sector" 1999-2000 Session
  • WI Academy of Family Physicians 2000 Health Care Leadership Award
  • WI Tavern League, Distinguished Freshman Award, 2000
  • AFSCME Council 11 recognition for "contributions to good public policy"
  • WI Student Government Assn. appreciation for "Dedication to Students"
  • 2001 Friend of the Green Rock Audubon Society
  • Alzheimer's Association, Legislator of the Year 2001
  • WI School Counselors, Jerome Henning Legislative Award, 2001
  • WI Builders Association, Friend of Builders 2002
  • WI Grocers, Friend of Grocers 2002
  • WI Counties Association, Outstanding Legislator Award, 2003-2004
  • WI Farm Bureau, Friend of Agriculture Award, 2003-2004
  • WI Department of Veterans Affairs, Outstanding Leadership Award, 2004
  • WI Farm Bureau, Friend of Agriculture Award, 2005-2006
  • League of Conservation Voters,Conservation Champion,2005-2006
  • Wisconsin Federation of Cooperatives, Friend of Cooperatives Award, 2006
  • Wisconsin Counties Association, Outstanding Legislator Award, 2008
  • WI League of Conservation Voters, Conservation Champion 2007-2008
  • WI State Bar, Scales of Justice Award, 2008
  • Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin, Rebecca C. Young Leadership Award, 2009
  • Wisconsin Psychiatric Association, Friend of the WPA Award, 2009
  • State American College of Physicians Award, Legislator of the Year, 2009