Scott Jensen (Wisconsin politician)

Scott Jensen (born August 24, 1960) is a Republican politician and legislator from Wisconsin.

Born in Waukesha, Wisconsin, Jensen attended Mukwonago High School and graduated from Drake University in 1982. He received a master's degree in public policy from Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government in 1984.

After receiving his graduate degree, Jensen worked in public relations, working as Director of Government Relations for Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce from 1984 to 1987.

Jensen began in politics by working as the staff director of the Wisconsin Assembly's Republican caucus from 1987 to 1990, serving under Assembly minority leader David Prosser, Jr.. While there, he ran the first campaign of John Gard for the Wisconsin Assembly in 1987. Jensen the worked as chief of staff for Wisconsin governor Tommy Thompson from 1990 to 1992.

In 1992, Jensen was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly, representing the 32nd district, in a special election. In the special election primary in December 1991, Jensen barely defeated fellow Republican Donald Wilson, 1474 to 1436. He won the general special election against Democrat Shirley Wheelter in January 1992 by a two-to-one margin. Jensen was unopposed in the general election that year, and won by wide margins in elections in 1994, 1996, 1998, and 2000. In 2002, due to redistricting, Jensen was re-elected to the Assembly representing the 98th district, where he was unopposed in 2004.

Jensen served in the Assembly until 2006. Jensen served as majority leader from 1994 to 1995 and speaker from 1995 to 2002.

After serving in the Wisconsin Assembly, Jensen has worked in the private sector with the Alliance for School Choice and Chartwell Strategic Advisors.

In 2002, Jensen was charged with misuse of public workers and state resources as part of a large state scandal that affected both parties. He resigned from office on March 21, 2006, after being convicted on three counts on March 12. The conviction was reversed on appeal and Dane County District Attorney Brian Blanchard announced that he intended to retry Jensen. On December 20, 2010, the three felony charges were dropped and Jensen agreed to pay back his legal fees to the state of Wisconsin. Jensen pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor ethics charge.

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