# Melissa Agard

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Melissa_Agard
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Melissa_Agard.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melissa_Agard
> Source revision: 1347861791
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

American politician (born 1969)

Melissa Agard 6th Executive of Dane County, Wisconsin Incumbent Assumed office November 13, 2024 Preceded by Jamie Kuhn (interim) Joe Parisi (elected) Minority Leader of the Wisconsin Senate In office January 3, 2023 – December 1, 2023 Preceded by Janet Bewley Succeeded by Dianne Hesselbein Member of the Wisconsin Senate from the 16th district In office January 4, 2021 – January 6, 2025 Preceded by Mark F. Miller Succeeded by Melissa Ratcliff Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the 48th district In office January 7, 2013 – January 4, 2021 Preceded by Chris Taylor Succeeded by Samba Baldeh Personal details Born Melissa Kristen Agard (1969-03-28) March 28, 1969 (age 57) Madison, Wisconsin, U.S. Party Democratic Spouse Justin Sargent ​ ​ (m. 1997; div. 2019)​ Children 4 Education University of Wisconsin, Madison (BS) Signature Website Campaign website

**Melissa Kristen Agard** (born March 28, 1969) is an [American](/source/Americans) [small business](/source/Small_business) owner and [Democratic](/source/Democratic_Party_(United_States)) politician from [Madison, Wisconsin](/source/Madison%2C_Wisconsin). She is the [county executive](/source/County_executive) of [Dane County, Wisconsin](/source/Dane_County%2C_Wisconsin), since November 2024. She previously served four years in the [Wisconsin Senate](/source/Wisconsin_Senate), from 2021 to 2025, and served as minority leader in 2023.[1] Before that, she served four terms in the [Wisconsin State Assembly](/source/Wisconsin_State_Assembly), when she was primarily known by her married name **Melissa Sargent**.

## Early life and career

Agard was born in [Madison, Wisconsin](/source/Madison%2C_Wisconsin), and graduated from [Madison East High School](/source/Madison_East_High_School).[2][3] She earned her [bachelor's degree](/source/Bachelor_of_Science) in Psychology from [University of Wisconsin–Madison](/source/University_of_Wisconsin%E2%80%93Madison) in 1991.[4]

She went to work as a business manager for Hyperion Studio in Madison, then co-founded Opacolor LLC with her father, Steven. Opacolor is a digital photography and print studio which Agard continues to own and operate. They specialize in original [giclée](/source/Gicl%C3%A9e) prints.[5]

In 2010, Agard's neighbors on the north side of Madison urged her to seek a newly-vacant seat on the [Dane County](/source/Dane_County%2C_Wisconsin) Board of Supervisors.[6] Agard later described her situation: "At that point, I owned my own business, I had three kids, and I just found out I was pregnant with my fourth. And I was 40 years old and feeling like one more thing on my plate would cause me to topple over." She then explained that her children came home from school that day complaining about having to do a community service project. She told them to tough it out, then decided she should do the same.[6] Agard won election to the county board and was part of the liberal majority on that body for four years, chairing the Health and Human Needs Committee.[7]

## 2011 Wisconsin protests

For fifty consecutive days during the [2011 Wisconsin protests](/source/2011_Wisconsin_protests) against [Governor Scott Walker](/source/Scott_Walker_(politician))'s controversial "Budget Repair" legislation ([2011 Wisconsin Act 10](/source/2011_Wisconsin_Act_10)) which abolished [collective bargaining](/source/Collective_bargaining) for most Wisconsin public employees, Agard says that she, often accompanied by one or more of her four children, joined in the mass demonstrations, whether in the [Wisconsin State Capitol](/source/Wisconsin_State_Capitol) or (after officials locked the Capitol), outside in the Wisconsin cold. On March 27, 2011, when the State Capitol Police ordered her three older boys to take down their protest sign proclaiming "[Solidarity Forever](/source/Solidarity_Forever)" which was being displayed outside the "Designated Demonstration Area" they refused, and Agard was issued a ticket (said ticket was later dismissed).[6][8][9]

## Political career

Following the drastic Republican [redistricting](/source/Redistricting_in_the_United_States) in 2011, which scrambled the Madison-area assembly districts, Agard was able to run for [Wisconsin State Assembly](/source/Wisconsin_State_Assembly) in the newly drawn 48th assembly district without an opponent from either major political party.[10][11] She defeated independent [Libertarian](/source/Libertarian_Party_(United_States)) candidate Terry Gray with 83% of the general election vote.[12] She was reelected without any opposition in 2014, 2016, and 2018.

In 2020, longtime state senator [Mark F. Miller](/source/Mark_F._Miller) announced he would not seek reelection to a fifth term. The Madison-based senate seat attracted many interested potential candidates, but ultimately Agard had only one opponent in the Democratic [primary](/source/Partisan_primary)—Monona Grove School Board president Andrew McKinney.[13][14] During the primary, she renewed her commitment to pursue [full decriminalization of marijuana](/source/Decriminalization_of_non-medical_cannabis_in_the_United_States) in the state, as well as increasing the [minimum wage](/source/Minimum_wage_in_the_United_States), protecting [labor rights](/source/Labor_rights), and providing more affordable housing.[15] Agard prevailed in the primary, taking more than 76% of the vote.[16] She went on to win a similarly substantial 73% majority over Republican Scott Barker in the [2020 general election](/source/2020_Wisconsin_elections).[17]

On November 16, 2022, she was voted the Minority Leader of the Wisconsin Senate, succeeding [Senator Janet Bewley](/source/Janet_Bewley_(Wisconsin_politician)) who chose not to run for reelection.[18]

In November 2023, Agard announced that she would run for Dane County executive in a special election to be held in [2024](/source/2024_Wisconsin_elections#Dane_County_executive), following the early resignation of [Joe Parisi](/source/Joe_Parisi).[19] Agard advanced from the August primary and won the special election on November 5, 2024, defeating county supervisor Dana Pellebon.[20] In the April 2025 regular election, she faced furniture salesman Stephen Ratzlaff, who she defeated by a wide margin.[21]

## Personal life

Agard married Justin S. Sargent in 1997. Justin was then a legislative aide to Democratic state senator [Charles Chvala](/source/Charles_Chvala) and now works as chief of staff to state senator [Chris Larson](/source/Chris_Larson).[22] They had four sons before divorcing in 2019.[23]

## Electoral history

### Wisconsin Assembly (2012–2018)

Year Election Date Elected Defeated Total Plurality 2012 General[24] Nov. 6 Melissa Agard Sargent Democratic 24,375 83.20% Terry R. Gray Ind. 4,849 16.56% 33,559 8,338 Jonathon William Rygiewicz (write-in) Rep. 13 0.04% 2014 General[25] Nov. 4 Melissa Agard Sargent (inc) Democratic 21,818 97.06% --Unopposed-- 22,479 21,157 2016 General[26] Nov. 8 Melissa Agard Sargent (inc) Democratic 24,047 96.48% 24,925 23,169 2018 General[27] Nov. 6 Melissa Agard Sargent (inc) Democratic 27,794 98.22% 28,297 27,291

### Wisconsin Senate (2020)

Year Election Date Elected Defeated Total Plurality 2020 Primary[16] Aug. 11 Melissa Agard Sargent Democratic 27,734 76.83% Andrew McKinney Dem. 8,328 23.07% 36,096 19,406 General[17] Nov. 3 Melissa Agard Sargent Democratic 83,526 73.43% Scott Barker Rep. 30,121 26.48% 113,755 53,405

### Dane County executive (2024, 2025)

Year Election Date Elected[a] Defeated Total Plurality 2024 Primary[28] Aug. 13 Melissa Agard Nonpartisan 61,286 56.95% Regina Vidaver Non. 16,269 15.12% 106,907 42,725 Dana Pellebon Nonpartisan 18,561 17.25% Wes Sparkman Non. 10,791 10.03% Special[29] Nov. 5 Melissa Agard Nonpartisan 168,168 60.91% Dana Pellebon Non. 104,487 37.84% 276,112 63,681 2025 General[30] Apr. 1 Melissa Agard (inc) Nonpartisan 199,932 80.81% Stephen Ratzlaff Non. 46,432 18.76% 247,423 153,500

## Notes

1. **[^](#cite_ref-28)** In nonpartisan primaries in Wisconsin, the top two vote-getters advance to the general election.

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Wisconsin State Legislature Home Page"](https://legis.wisconsin.gov/). *legis.wisconsin.gov*. Retrieved September 12, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Sargent, Melissa (October 25, 2012). ["Melissa Sargent, Democratic candidate in Assembly District 48"](https://madison.com/melissa-sargent-democratic-candidate-in-assembly-district/article_9d3eab16-1e0b-11e2-af41-001a4bcf887a.html#ixzz2H3q8iCMf). *[The Capital Times](/source/The_Capital_Times)*. Retrieved January 5, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["About Melissa"](https://www.melissasargent.com/about). *Melissa Sargent for Senate*. Retrieved January 5, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["About Me"](https://web.archive.org/web/20201028151721/https://legis.wisconsin.gov/assembly/48/sargent/meet-melissa/about-me/). *Melissa Sargent - State Representative*. Archived from [the original](https://legis.wisconsin.gov/assembly/48/sargent/meet-melissa/about-me/) on October 28, 2020. Retrieved January 5, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["History"](https://opacolor.com/history.htm). *Opacolor LLC*. Retrieved January 5, 2021.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-wsj2012_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-wsj2012_6-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-wsj2012_6-2) Hall, Dee J. (December 27, 2012). ["From protesting to legislating: Two who marched at Capitol set to take office"](https://madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/from-protesting-to-legislating-two-who-marched-at-capitol-set-to-take-office/article_57b7883e-4fbf-11e2-a063-0019bb2963f4.html). *[Wisconsin State Journal](/source/Wisconsin_State_Journal)*. Retrieved January 5, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Melissa Agard Sargent"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120528174235/http://countyofdane.com/board/supervisor.aspx?district=18). *Dane County Board of Supervisors*. Archived from [the original](http://countyofdane.com/board/supervisor.aspx?district=18) on May 28, 2012. Retrieved January 5, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Tarr, Joe (March 29, 2011). ["New round of Wisconsin Capitol protests target sign and location rules"](https://isthmus.com/news/news/new-round-of--wisconsin-capitol-protests-target-sign-and-location-rules/). *[Isthmus](/source/Isthmus_(newspaper))*. Retrieved January 5, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** SSWIDTMS (March 28, 2011). ["The Sargent Boys stand up for the First Amendment"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZmUR4gj9Ww). Retrieved January 5, 2021 – via [YouTube](/source/YouTube).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Melissa Sargent offers promise of renewed Wisconsin"](https://madison.com/ct/news/opinion/editorial/melissa-sargent-offers-promise-of-renewed-wisconsin/article_567b119a-c07a-11e1-a57b-0019bb2963f4.html). *[The Capital Times](/source/The_Capital_Times)*. July 6, 2012. Retrieved January 5, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Tarr, Joe (March 29, 2011). ["Redistricting sets up Democratic battles in Wisconsin Assembly primaries"](https://isthmus.com/news/news/redistricting-sets-up-democratic-battles-in-wisconsin-assembly-primaries/). *[Isthmus](/source/Isthmus_(newspaper))*. Retrieved January 6, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2012gen_12-0)** [Canvass Results for 2012 Presidential and General Election - 11/6/2012](https://elections.wi.gov/sites/elections.wi.gov/files/Amended%20Percentage%20Results-11.6.12%20President.pdf) (PDF) (Report). [Wisconsin Government Accountability Board](/source/Wisconsin_Government_Accountability_Board). December 26, 2012. pp. 19–20. Retrieved January 5, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Reilly, Briana (March 2, 2020). ["Several Madison Democrats jockeying to succeed Rep. Melissa Sargent in state Assembly"](https://madison.com/ct/news/local/govt-and-politics/several-madison-democrats-jockeying-to-succeed-rep-melissa-sargent-in-state-assembly/article_f6d3b302-c98e-537b-ade6-6c6cbcebfab5.html). *[The Capital Times](/source/The_Capital_Times)*. Retrieved January 6, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Schmidt, Mitchell (March 12, 2020). ["Another Madison City Council member announces run for state Assembly seat"](https://madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/another-madison-city-council-member-announces-run-for-state-assembly-seat/article_68c9a05e-121b-5d27-b7d7-b8ac3b670e9d.html). *[Wisconsin State Journal](/source/Wisconsin_State_Journal)*. Retrieved January 6, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** Hamer, Emily (August 11, 2020). ["Rep. Melissa Sargent wins primary for Senate District 16 race"](https://madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/rep-melissa-sargent-wins-primary-for-senate-district-16-race/article_92271cef-5563-5401-8b11-6e1a71ea667a.html). *[Wisconsin State Journal](/source/Wisconsin_State_Journal)*. Retrieved January 6, 2021.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-2020pri_16-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-2020pri_16-1) [Canvass Results for 2020 Partisan Primary - 8/11/2020](https://elections.wi.gov/sites/elections.wi.gov/files/2020-08/Statewide%20Percentage%20Results.pdf) (PDF) (Report). [Wisconsin Elections Commission](/source/Wisconsin_Elections_Commission). August 26, 2020. p. 7. Retrieved January 6, 2021.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-2020gen_17-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-2020gen_17-1) [Canvass Results for 2020 General Election - 11/3/2020](https://elections.wi.gov/sites/elections.wi.gov/files/Statewide%20Results%20All%20Offices%20%28pre-Presidential%20recount%29.pdf) (PDF) (Report). [Wisconsin Elections Commission](/source/Wisconsin_Elections_Commission). November 18, 2020. p. 5. Retrieved January 6, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["Agard elected Wisconsin Senate Democratic leader"](https://web.archive.org/web/20221117170413/https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/article/Agard-elected-Wisconsin-Senate-Democratic-leader-17588862.php). *www.houstonchronicle.com*. November 16, 2022. Archived from [the original](https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/article/Agard-elected-Wisconsin-Senate-Democratic-leader-17588862.php) on November 17, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** Garfield, Allison; Bahl, Andrew (November 30, 2023). ["State Sen. Melissa Agard announces run for Dane County executive"](https://captimes.com/news/government/state-sen-melissa-agard-announces-run-for-dane-county-executive/article_8833edc8-894b-11ee-93b3-7b587b4f8cf7.html). *[The Capital Times](/source/The_Capital_Times)*. Retrieved November 30, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** DuClos, Danielle (November 5, 2024). ["Melissa Agard wins election for Dane County executive"](https://captimes.com/news/elections/melissa-agard-wins-election-for-dane-county-executive/article_4f1f13ca-9be5-11ef-b4d2-8b0e86e3d5f7.html). *[The Capital Times](/source/The_Capital_Times)*. Retrieved November 13, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** Beran, Liam (March 21, 2025). ["Dane County Executive Melissa Agard does have an opponent"](https://isthmus.com/news/news/meet-the-candidates-running-to-be-dane-countys-next-executive/). *Isthmus | Madison, Wisconsin*. Retrieved March 31, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** ["Agard-Sargent"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/67022700/agard-sargent-engagement/). *[The Capital Times](/source/The_Capital_Times)*. April 20, 1996. Retrieved January 5, 2021 – via [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** ["Dane County Case Number 2019FA000029 In RE the marriage of Justin Scott Sargent and Melissa Kristen Sargent"](https://wcca.wicourts.gov/caseDetail.html?caseNo=2019FA000029&countyNo=13). *[Wisconsin Circuit Court Access](/source/Wisconsin_Circuit_Court_Access)*. Retrieved January 5, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** [Canvass Results for 2012 Presidential and General Election - 11/6/2012](https://whs.access.preservica.com/uncategorized/IO_a0b2e4eb-44f6-46bf-ae3e-4234013a588a/) (Report). [Wisconsin Government Accountability Board](/source/Wisconsin_Government_Accountability_Board). December 26, 2012. p. 15. Retrieved November 16, 2024 – via [Wisconsin Historical Society](/source/Wisconsin_Historical_Society).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-25)** [Canvass Results for 2014 General Election - 11/4/2014](https://elections.wi.gov/sites/default/files/legacy/11.4.14%2520Summary%2520Results-all%2520offices.pdf) (PDF) (Report). [Wisconsin Government Accountability Board](/source/Wisconsin_Government_Accountability_Board). November 26, 2014. p. 14. Retrieved November 16, 2024 – via [Wisconsin Elections Commission](/source/Wisconsin_Elections_Commission).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2016gen_26-0)** [Canvass Results for 2016 General Election - 11/8/2016](https://elections.wi.gov/sites/default/files/legacy/Statewide%2520Results%2520All%2520Offices%2520%2528post-Presidential%2520recount%2529.pdf) (PDF) (Report). [Wisconsin Elections Commission](/source/Wisconsin_Elections_Commission). December 22, 2016. p. 14. Retrieved November 16, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2018gen_27-0)** [Canvass Results for 2018 General Election - 11/6/2018](https://elections.wi.gov/sites/default/files/legacy/Summary%2520Results-2018%2520Gen%2520Election_0.pdf) (PDF) (Report). [Wisconsin Elections Commission](/source/Wisconsin_Elections_Commission). February 22, 2019. p. 15. Retrieved November 16, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-29)** ["2024 Partisan Primary, Dane County Executive - Official Canvass"](https://elections.countyofdane.com/Election-Result/168#race0173). *[Dane County, Wisconsin](/source/Dane_County%2C_Wisconsin) - Election and Voting Information*. Retrieved April 28, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-30)** ["2024 General election, Dane County Executive - Official Canvass"](https://elections.countyofdane.com/Election-Result/172#race0036). *[Dane County, Wisconsin](/source/Dane_County%2C_Wisconsin) - Elections and Voting Information*. Retrieved April 28, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-31)** ["2025 Spring Election, County Executive - Official Canvass"](https://elections.countyofdane.com/Election-Result#race0012). *[Dane County, Wisconsin](/source/Dane_County%2C_Wisconsin) - Election and Voting Information*. Retrieved April 28, 2025.

## External links

- [Profile](https://legis.wisconsin.gov/senate/16/agard) at the [Wisconsin Senate](/source/Wisconsin_Senate)

- [Campaign website](https://www.melissasargent.com/)

- [Profile](https://justfacts.votesmart.org/candidate/122290) at [Vote Smart](/source/Vote_Smart)

- [Melissa Sargent](https://ballotpedia.org/Melissa_Sargent) at [Ballotpedia](/source/Ballotpedia)

- [Assembly website (Archived - 11/8/2020)](https://web.archive.org/web/20201108103551/http://legis.wisconsin.gov/assembly/48/sargent/)

- [Opacolor LLC](https://opacolor.com/)

- [Melissa Agard](https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissaagardsargent) on [LinkedIn](/source/LinkedIn)

Wisconsin State Assembly Preceded by Chris Taylor Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the 48th district January 7, 2013 – January 4, 2021 Succeeded by Samba Baldeh Wisconsin Senate Preceded by Mark F. Miller Member of the Wisconsin Senate from the 16th district January 4, 2021 – January 6, 2025 Succeeded by Melissa Ratcliff Preceded by Janet Bewley Minority Leader of the Wisconsin Senate January 3, 2023 – December 1, 2023 Succeeded by Dianne Hesselbein Political offices Preceded by Jamie Kuhn (interim) Joe Parisi (elected) Executive of Dane County, Wisconsin November 13, 2024 – present Incumbent

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Melissa Agard](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melissa_Agard) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melissa_Agard?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.