Bomgar won’t seek 3rd term

MADISON — Republican state Rep. Joel Bomgar will not seek a third term, he announced on Tuesday.  

The qualifying deadline for the 2023 legislative elections is nearly a year away. 

“I wanted to let you know that I will not be running for re-election during the upcoming 2023 legislative elections,” Bomgar wrote on Facebook. “Even though the qualifying deadline is not until February, I wanted to make this announcement now so that anyone interested in serving would have enough time to make that decision.”

Bomgar continued on to say while he enjoyed his time at the statehouse he was entering a new chapter in his life and he wanted to shift focus back to the private sector. 

Bomgar previously founded the Bomgar Corporation where he spent 11 years. 

“With each new season of life comes new callings, and that is where I find myself at this point in my life,” he said. “My opportunity to make a positive impact in the private sector as President of Próspera, where we are building the world’s first free private cities / charter cities, continues to grow. With the ever-increasing demands of this opportunity, as well as increased international travel, it has once again become time to focus on only the things where I can have the highest possible impact for good, and for the near future that is once again in the private sector.

“I owe a huge debt of gratitude to my wife Rachel and my children for allowing me to serve as their representative and yours,” he continued. “I have made many, many new friends along the way, learned so much, and am proud of the public policy contributions I was able to make.”

Bomgar, who represents District 58 in Madison, defeated opponent Bruce Bartley the last two election cycles. 

Bomgar currently serves as vice-chair of the Drug Policy committee.