Warren Petryk to retire, Nickolas Butler will run for seat

In a press release this morning, State Senator Warren Petryk (R- Town of Washington) announced that he will not run for re-election this year. Petryk represents the 93rd Assembly District, which was recently re-drawn as part of the state legislative district map changes. 

State Representative Warren Petryk (R-Town of Washington) issued the following open letter to the constituents of the 93rd Assembly District regarding his retirement from the State Assembly.

“To everything there is a season…” Ecclesiastes 3:1

After much prayer and thought, and numerous conversations with family, friends, colleagues, and mentors, I have decided to announce my decision to not seek reelection as Representative for the 93rd Assembly District for the upcoming term.

It is with a heart full of love and gratitude to the wonderful, remarkable, hard-working people of Western Wisconsin that I write this letter with deep thanks for the bountiful blessings, the absolute privilege, and the distinct honor of serving as your Representative to the Wisconsin State Assembly for these past 14 extraordinary years.

Meeting and serving thousands of you over the years has been a source of pure delight as we spoke, laughed, sang, celebrated, cried, ate, worked for solutions, questioned, agreed, disagreed, and marveled with wonder and amazement as we watched your children grow into productive citizens of this, the greatest and most prosperous nation in history.

To have been able to actively participate as an elected policymaker in the Great Experiment that is the Republic of the United States has been the most humbling experience of my lifetime and one which I never have and never will take for granted.

It has been my duty to serve only at the pleasure of the voting public of my beautiful 93rd Assembly District which had stretched from Pleasant Valley in Eau Claire County, west to the Mississippi River at Prescott and down the River to Pepin. It included the awesome people of Ellsworth, Durand, Spring Valley, Meridean, Lima, Beldenville, Bay City, Diamond Bluff, El Paso, Trimbelle, Arkansaw, Downsville, Elmwood, Plum City, Hager City, River Falls, Caryville, Rock Falls, Stockholm, Cleghorn, and all parts in between.

My only regret as I leave office will be not having as much opportunity of seeing you as often as we have, but please know that we will remain in contact, even though my official duties as your Representative will end in January of 2025.

It is with mixed emotions that I contemplate not driving thousands of delightful miles each year through the pristine beauty of the hills and bluffs and fields of my District to spend quality time with each of you; that said, my old truck, and my old body, just might enjoy their upcoming respite from the mechanical wear and tear. As entertainer Kris Kristofferson once said, “It’s not the years, it’s the mileage.”

When I was elected as a conservative Representative in 2010, I took a solemn oath on my first day in office to defend the Constitutions of both the United States and Wisconsin. It has been my mission to always do my best to remember and honor that oath throughout my actions every day of my past seven terms.

It has been the greatest honor and privilege of my life to be called to public service and represent, to the best of my ability, the wonderful people of Western Wisconsin these past 14 years. My eternal gratitude and thanks go out to those of you who have been my constituents, critics, supporters, detractors, mentors, teachers, colleagues, advisors, and the many of you who have become my dear and cherished friends. It was a constant learning, growing, and enlightening experience that I shall treasure in my heart all the remaining days of my life.

And now, as I embark upon new and exciting chapters in my life, please allow me to share the sentiments of President George Washington, taken from his resignation letter, dated Sept. 19, 1796:

“Though in reviewing the incidents of my Administration I am unconscious of intentional error, I am nevertheless too sensible of my defects not to think it probable that I may have committed many errors. Whatever they may be, I fervently beseech the Almighty to avert or mitigate the evils to which they may tend. I shall also carry with me the hope that my country will never cease to view them with indulgence, and that, after…years of my life dedicated to its service with an upright zeal, the faults of incompetent abilities will be consigned to oblivion, as myself must soon be…”

My hope is that God will continue to bless each of you and your families, our beautiful Wisconsin, and our shining beacon of hope and freedom for the world, our United States of America!

Forever your humble and grateful servant,

Shortly after Petryk's announcement, Fall Creek resident and renowned author Nickolas Butler announced that he is running for the 93rd Assembly District office as a Democrat - 

Fall Creek, WI – Fall Creek resident and internationally renowned writer, Nickolas Butler,  announced on May 20, 2024 his candidacy for the 93rd Assembly District of Wisconsin as a  Democrat. Butler, 44, grew up in Eau Claire attending public schools, before graduating from  the University of Wisconsin-Madison and later, the renowned University of Iowa Writer’s  Workshop. In 2014, Butler published his debut novel, “Shotgun Lovesongs,” which was  published in over ten languages, and features the landscape and people of the 93rd Assembly  District. Since then, he has been involved in several area charities and fundraising efforts,  including founding a writing contest at his alma mater, Eau Claire Memorial.

“This is the most beautiful Assembly district in the state of Wisconsin,” Butler said. “This is the  place, and these are the people that inspire me. Folks from this part of the world are passionate  about their work, their families, their faith, and the land we all share. When I’m elected to the  Assembly, I’ll do the same thing I’ve always done – tell people’s stories and celebrate good  work. I’ve been doing that my whole life.”

Butler’s immediate priorities are working with area and state leaders to stabilize the regional  medical system, strengthen schools, promote economic mobility, aid local voting systems, and  protect shared natural resources.

“The Chippewa Valley and the State of Wisconsin face many challenges. Though many see  division between our rural and urban areas, the needs of people living in those areas are similar  and are adversely impacted by many of the same issues such as affordable and accessible  healthcare, lack of affordable housing, and a strong economy that works for everyone. I believe  that these challenges can be overcome through bringing people together and honest conversation.  That is the approach I will take through this campaign, and as a state lawmaker,” said Butler.

Butler resides in rural Eau Claire County with his wife, Regina and two children.

Butler will be sharing more about his vision for the 93rd Assembly District at a candidate meet  and greet at 5:30 p.m. Monday, May 20. at The Brewing Projekt, 1807 N. Oxford Ave., Eau  Claire.