Jung Opens Up About Racine Roots and Vision on ‘The Don Rosen Show’

RACINE, Wis. (WRJN) – A casual conversation is shedding light on what Racine’s newest candidate has in mind.

Former Racine alderman and current transit director Trevor Jung has thrown his hat into the ring for the 21st Wisconsin State Senate District seat. Appearing on ‘The Don Rosen Show‘ Wednesday, he vowed to give back to the community that gave him so much as a child. The current office holder, Van Wanggaard, also has deep Racine ties, but a future run is still undecided.

Democrat Trevor Jung told his story during the interview on WRJN this week. Jung told the story about how he was adopted from an orphanage in Russia and raised in Racine, “I have a real sense of gratitude. My grandma actually owned a bar downtown, I grew up at the end of the bar at the tavern, as any good Wisconsinite might.”

The 21st District is a political battleground reshaped by redistricting. It stretches from the north side of Racine, including Wind Point and Caledonia, all the way out to Raymond, and into Milwaukee County suburbs such as Franklin, Greendale, Hales Corners, and parts of Greenfield and Milwaukee. Once heavily Republican, it is now evenly split between the parties.

Jung is the only officially announced candidate so far. He said the race will be competitive, “It is a 50-50 district. We are going to have to earn every vote and talk to people where they are. We have to focus on affordability, housing, good paying jobs, and taking care of the most vulnerable.”

Longtime Republican incumbent Wanggaard has held the seat since 2010. He has not yet decided whether to seek re-election, but criticized Jung’s campaign, calling it aligned with “crazy liberal ideas” far from Racine and Milwaukee values. In a statement adding, “He will vote in lockstep with everything the Democrats stand for – from raising taxes to allowing boys in girls locker rooms.”

Jung responded in the interview, “I respectfully disagree. We’re going to run a different kind of campaign. People are sick of the personal insults.”

Wanggaard spent nearly 30 years working for the Racine Police Department and held several positions in local government before winning the Senate seat.

Jung said his campaign will focus on increasing funding for public schools, investing in neighborhoods, and addressing the affordability crisis facing families. He said, “No more scraps from Madison. No more waiting. No more choosing anger over solutions.”

With the election over a year away, Jung is already ramping up his efforts to connect with voters across the district. “My favorite part of this work is listening to people, hearing their challenges, and figuring out what we can do together,” he said.

The 21st Senate race is shaping up to be one to watch as both parties vie for control of the Wisconsin Senate in the 2026 elections.