Kevin David Petersen

Kevin David Petersen is an American small business owner and Republican politician from Waupaca County, Wisconsin. He is the speaker pro tempore of the Wisconsin State Assembly, since 2023, and has served in the Assembly since 2007. He represents Wisconsin's 57th Assembly district since 2025 and previously represented the 40th Assembly district from 2007 to 2025.

Biography

Petersen was born in Waupaca, Wisconsin, and graduated from Waupaca High School in 1983. After graduation, he served in the United [States Navy|U.S. Navy] in submarines in [the United States Navy|submarine service] from 1983 to 1994. Petersen received a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from the University of New Mexico in 1989. After leaving the U.S. Navy in 1994, Petersen remained with the U.S. Navy Reserve until 2008.
Petersen served as a Dayton, [Waupaca County, Wisconsin|Town of Dayton] supervisor from 2001 to 2007. He won a three-way primary in 2006 to become the Republican candidate for Wisconsin State Assembly in the 40th district and went on to narrowly defeat Democrat Dan Naylor in the general election. He is currently in his 8th term and has served as Assistant Majority Leader since 2021.