# Rob Hutton

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**Robert Brian Hutton** (born April 7, 1967) is an American businessman and [Republican](/source/Republican_Party_(United_States)) politician from [Waukesha County, Wisconsin](/source/Waukesha_County,_Wisconsin). He is a member of the [Wisconsin Senate](/source/Wisconsin_Senate), representing [Wisconsin's 5th Senate district](/source/Wisconsin's_5th_Senate_district) since January 2023. He previously served in the [Wisconsin State Assembly](/source/Wisconsin_State_Assembly) from 2013 through 2020, and was a member of the Waukesha County board of supervisors from 2005 to 2012.

## Education and business career

Rob Hutton was born in [Milwaukee, Wisconsin](/source/Milwaukee,_Wisconsin), in April 1967. He was raised and educated in nearby [Brookfield, Wisconsin](/source/Brookfield,_Wisconsin), graduating from [Brookfield East High School](/source/Brookfield_East_High_School) in 1985. He went on to attend college at the [University of Wisconsin–Whitewater](/source/University_of_Wisconsin%E2%80%93Whitewater), and earned a bachelor's degree in history in 1990.[1][2]

Hutton went to work after graduation and moved to the neighboring village of [Sussex, Wisconsin](/source/Sussex,_Wisconsin). During this era, he was hired as an executive at Rock Transfer & Storage—a storage and transportation company. Hutton and other executives of the business formed a partnership to purchase ownership of the company from former owner Richard Sheridan in 2005.[3]

Since joining the Legislature, Hutton has become owner of two industrial coating businesses, Cornerstone Industries Inc. of [Lake Geneva, Wisconsin](/source/Lake_Geneva,_Wisconsin), and Kettle Moraine Coatings of [Jackson, Washington County, Wisconsin](/source/Jackson,_Washington_County,_Wisconsin).[4]

## Political career

Hutton made his first run for public office in April 2004. He ran for a seat on the [Waukesha County](/source/Waukesha_County,_Wisconsin) board of supervisors, challenging incumbent supervisor Hank Carlson. Carlson won the election, but died less than a year later. Following his death, the board voted in February 2005 to appoint Hutton to finish out the remainder of his four-year term.[5] Hutton was elected to a full four-year term in 2008, but did not run for re-election in 2012.

In 2012, Hutton announced that he would run as a [Republican](/source/Republican_Party_(United_States)) for the open [13th district seat](/source/Wisconsin's_13th_Assembly_district) in the [Wisconsin State Assembly](/source/Wisconsin_State_Assembly). The district had been dramatically reconfigured in the 2011 Republican [legislative gerrymander](/source/Redistricting_in_Wisconsin), moving from a suburban Milwaukee district to stretch from western Milwaukee County into central Waukesha County. The Democratic incumbent, [David Cullen](/source/David_Cullen_(politician)), had opted to run for Milwaukee County board rather than face a difficult re-election with an almost completely new electorate.[6]

Hutton faced two opponents in the Republican primary: Thomas J. Schellinger, a county supervisor and member of the Brookfield city council, and Nathaniel Ristow, who had worked as a lawyer in the office of Governor [Scott Walker](/source/Scott_Walker_(politician)). All three candidates ran on roughly identical policy platforms of tax cuts and regulatory reforms, so attempted to distinguish themselves through their resumes.[7] Hutton won the primary with 57% of the vote.[8] He won the general election with 60% of the vote over Democrat John Pokrandt.[9]

He was re-elected without opposition in 2014 and 2016, and his district was considered a safe Republican seat until the political coalition shifts prompted by the suburban backlash against the presidency of [Donald Trump](/source/Donald_Trump). In 2018, Hutton was challenged by Democrat Dennis McBride, who resigned earlier that year after serving ten years as a member of the Wauwatosa city council.[10] The 13th district was one of the most hotly contested races in the state in 2018; Hutton prevailed with just 51% of the vote.[11]

Hutton faced another contested race in 2020, from Democrat [Sara Rodriguez](/source/Sara_Rodriguez), a hospital executive and former nurse. The 13th district was again one of the most competitive in the state, but this time Hutton was defeated. Rodriguez won the election with 51% of the vote.[12]

He remained active in politics after his defeat, and in 2022 announced that he would run for [Wisconsin Senate](/source/Wisconsin_Senate) after incumbent [Dale Kooyenga](/source/Dale_Kooyenga) announced that he would not run for re-election. Hutton faced no opposition in the Republican primary. Although Wisconsin Republicans received a favorable ruling from the Wisconsin Supreme Court in 2022, allowing them to enact an even stronger gerrymander in the legislature, the [5th Senate district](/source/Wisconsin's_5th_Senate_district) was still considered a competitive seat. His opponent in the general election was Democrat Jessica Katzenmeyer, a former postal worker and union organizer; Katzenmeyer was also the first [trans woman](/source/Trans_woman) to serve as a major party nominee for Wisconsin Senate.[13][14] Hutton won the election, receiving 53% of the vote.[15]

Since his election to the Senate, Hutton has served as chairman of the Senate Committee on Universities and Revenue, co-chair of the Joint Review Committee on Criminal Penalties, and member of the Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety.[1] His district was significantly reconfigured in the court-ordered redistricting enacted in 2024, and is again projected to be one of the most competitive races in the state in [2026](/source/2026_Wisconsin_Senate_election).

In 2025, Hutton voted against the 2025–2027 state budget, which had been negotiated on a bipartisan basis between [Tony Evers](/source/Tony_Evers), and the leadership of both parties in the state senate.[16]

On January 22, 2026, Hutton announced he would not run for another term in the [2026 election](/source/2026_Wisconsin_Senate_election)—his district was projected to be one of the most competitive races in the state Senate.[17]

## Personal life and family

Rob Hutton married Patricia "Patti" Evans of [Lac La Belle, Wisconsin](/source/Lac_La_Belle,_Wisconsin), in 1995.[18] They met while attending high school together at Brookfield East. Rob and Patti have four adult children and still reside in Brookfield.[2]

## Electoral history

### Waukesha County board (2004, 2008)

Year Election Date ! colspan="4"| Elected ! colspan="4"| Defeated Total Plurality 2004 General[19] Apr. 6 Hank Carlson Nonpartisan 502 54.21% Rob Hutton Non. 420 45.36% 926 82 2008 General Apr. 1 Rob Hutton (inc) Nonpartisan 1,460 65.44% Joe Marchese Non. 771 34.56% 2,231 689

### Wisconsin Assembly (2012–2020)

Year Election Date ! colspan="4"| Elected ! colspan="4"| Defeated Total Plurality 2012 Primary[8] Aug. 14 Rob Hutton Republican 5,351 57.59% Thomas J. Schellinger Rep. 2,968 31.94% 9,292 2,383 Nate Ristow Rep. 955 10.28% General[9] Nov. 6 Rob Hutton Republican 20,367 60.49% John Pokrandt Dem. 13,258 39.38% 33,669 7,109 2014 General[20] Nov. 4 Rob Hutton (inc) Republican 20,710 96.85% --unopposed-- 21,384 20,036 2016 General[21] Nov. 8 Rob Hutton (inc) Republican 23,904 96.99% 24,645 23,163 2018 General[11] Nov. 6 Rob Hutton (inc) Republican 16,617 51.41% Dennis Raymond McBride Dem. 15,662 48.45% 32,323 955 2020 General[12] Nov. 3 Sara Rodriguez Democratic 19,318 50.93% Rob Hutton (inc) Rep. 18,583 49.00% 37,928 735

### Wisconsin Senate (2022)

Year Election Date ! colspan="4"| Elected ! colspan="4"| Defeated Total Plurality 2022 General[15] Nov. 8 Rob Hutton Republican 49,025 53.24% Jessica Katzenmeyer Dem. 42,962 46.66% 92,084 6,063

## References

1. ["Senator Rob Hutton"](https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/legislators/senate/2812). *[Wisconsin Legislature](/source/Wisconsin_Legislature)*. 2025. Retrieved June 25, 2025.

1. ["About Rob Hutton"](https://legis.wisconsin.gov/senate/05/hutton/about/). *Rob Hutton Wisconsin State Senator*. Retrieved June 25, 2025.

1. ["Company History"](https://rocktransfer.com/Our-Team/Company-History). *Rock Transfer & Storage, Inc.*. Retrieved June 25, 2025.

1. ["Statement of Economic Interests - Filed in 2020 for calendar year 2019 - Hutton, Rob"](https://www.wisdc.org/images/files/econinterests2020/Hutton_Rob.pdf). 2020. Retrieved June 25, 2025. – via Wisconsin Democracy Campaign.

1. Shook, Dennis A. (February 1, 2005). ["Carlson Successor Named"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-freeman-hutton/175277361/). *The Waukesha Freeman*. p. 3. Retrieved June 25, 2025. – via [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)

1. Sandler, Larry (December 6, 2011). ["Rep. Cullen seeks Milwaukee County Board seat"](https://archive.jsonline.com/blogs/news/135123563.html). *[Milwaukee Journal Sentinel](/source/Milwaukee_Journal_Sentinel)*. Retrieved January 7, 2024.

1. Gorney, Charles (August 7, 2012). ["Primary Election Preview: Wisconsin State Assembly, 13th District"](https://patch.com/wisconsin/wauwatosa/wisconsin-s-13th-assembly-district-gop-primary). *[Wauwatosa Patch](/source/Patch_Media)*. Retrieved June 26, 2025.

1. [*Canvass Results for 2012 Partisan Primary - 8/14/2012*](https://whs.access.preservica.com/uncategorized/IO_5acf5665-33db-46c5-8177-ea2e022df57f/). [Wisconsin Government Accountability Board](/source/Wisconsin_Government_Accountability_Board). August 28, 2012. p. 20. Retrieved June 26, 2025. – via [Wisconsin Historical Society](/source/Wisconsin_Historical_Society)

1. [*Canvass Results for 2012 Presidential and General Election - 11/6/2012*](https://whs.access.preservica.com/uncategorized/IO_a0b2e4eb-44f6-46bf-ae3e-4234013a588a/). [Wisconsin Government Accountability Board](/source/Wisconsin_Government_Accountability_Board). December 26, 2012. p. 11. Retrieved June 26, 2025. – via [Wisconsin Historical Society](/source/Wisconsin_Historical_Society)

1. Pilarski, Karen (January 5, 2018). ["Longtime Wauwatosa Alderman Dennis McBride resigns"](https://www.jsonline.com/story/communities/west/news/2018/01/05/longtime-wauwatosa-ald-mcbride-resigns/1007900001/). *[Milwaukee Journal Sentinel](/source/Milwaukee_Journal_Sentinel)*. Retrieved June 26, 2025.

1. [*Canvass Results for 2018 General Election - 11/6/2018*](https://elections.wi.gov/sites/default/files/legacy/Summary%2520Results-2018%2520Gen%2520Election_0.pdf). [Wisconsin Elections Commission](/source/Wisconsin_Elections_Commission). February 22, 2019. p. 13. Retrieved June 26, 2025.

1. [*Canvass Results for 2020 General Election - 11/3/2020*](https://elections.wi.gov/sites/default/files/legacy/Statewide%2520Results%2520All%2520Offices%2520%2528pre-Presidential%2520recount%2529.pdf). [Wisconsin Elections Commission](/source/Wisconsin_Elections_Commission). November 18, 2020. p. 10. Retrieved June 26, 2025.

1. ["Milwaukee Candidates for Wisconsin State Senate"](https://urbanmilwaukee.com/2022/11/05/vote-tuesday-milwaukee-candidates-for-wisconsin-state-senate/). *Urban Milwaukee*. November 5, 2022. Retrieved June 26, 2025.

1. Salgado, Beck Andrew (November 22, 2022). ["Despite losing, Jessica Katzenmeyer made history as the first transgender woman candidate in Wisconsin"](https://www.jsonline.com/story/communities/west/2022/11/22/jessica-katzenmeyer-first-openly-transwoman-candidate-makes-history-in-wisconsin-election/69639544007/). *[Milwaukee Journal Sentinel](/source/Milwaukee_Journal_Sentinel)*. Retrieved June 26, 2025.

1. [*Canvass Results for 2022 General Election - 11/8/2022*](https://elections.wi.gov/sites/default/files/documents/Statewide%20Summary%20Results_1.pdf). [Wisconsin Elections Commission](/source/Wisconsin_Elections_Commission). November 30, 2022. p. 5. Retrieved June 26, 2025.

1. ["Evers signs budget as guv, lawmakers beat reconciliation bill across finish line"](https://www.wispolitics.com/2025/senate-approves-budget-19-14-sends-bill-to-assembly/). *[WisPolitics](/source/WisPolitics)*. July 2, 2025. Retrieved July 3, 2025.

1. ["Hutton won't seek reelection"](https://www.wispolitics.com/2026/alert-hutton-wont-seek-reelection/). *[Wispolitics.com](/source/Wispolitics.com)*. January 22, 2026. Retrieved January 22, 2026.

1. ["Marriage Licenses"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-freeman-hutton-evans/175269027/). *The Waukesha Freeman*. May 20, 1995. p. 21. Retrieved June 25, 2025. – via [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)

1. [*Summary Report - Spring General Election - April 6, 2004*](https://elections.waukeshacounty.gov/past_results/results04072004.php). Clerk of Waukesha County. April 7, 2004. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20041113225511/https://elections.waukeshacounty.gov/past_results/results04072004.php) November 13, 2004 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved June 26, 2025.

1. [*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). [Wisconsin Government Accountability Board](/source/Wisconsin_Government_Accountability_Board). November 26, 2014. p. 12. Retrieved June 26, 2025. – via [Wisconsin Elections Commission](/source/Wisconsin_Elections_Commission)

1. [*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). [Wisconsin Elections Commission](/source/Wisconsin_Elections_Commission). December 22, 2016. pp. 11–12. Retrieved June 26, 2025.

## External links

- [Official website](https://legis.wisconsin.gov/senate/05/hutton/)
- [Campaign website](https://rob-hutton.com)
- [Campaign twitter](https://x.com/robert_hutton)

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