Janet Bewley is an American politician and the Democratic minority leader in the Wisconsin State Senate. The 70-year-old was involved in a three-vehicle crash on July 22, 2022, that left a mother and her 5-year-old daughter dead.

Bewley, who represents the 25th district in the northwest part of Wisconsin, was elected to the state Senate in 2014. She previously served four years in the Wisconsin State Assembly, representing Iron, Ashland, Bayfield, and Price counties.

Born on November 10, 1951, in Cleveland, Ohio, Bewley graduated from Cleveland’s James Ford Rhodes High School in 1969. She earned her B.A. from Case Western Reserve University.

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She was the first member of her family to graduate from college. She later went on to earn a Master’s in Academic Administration from the University of Maine in 1977.

She was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2010, replacing Gary Sherman (who did not seek re-election).

Before being elected to the Assembly, she served on the city council of Ashland. She is also a former Community Relations Officer for the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA).

In 2013, Bewley announced her intention to run for the Wisconsin Senate, District 25, to replace retiring Senator Robert Jauch, also a Democrat.

She won the primary election with 72% of the vote, and was opposed by Republican Dane Deutsch in the November general election.

Her old seat was contested by Democrat Beth Meyers and Republican Jamey Francis in the November 2014 general election. The same year, Bewley was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate, and Meyers was elected to Bewley’s old Assembly seat.

On April 24, 2020, the Wisconsin Senate Democratic Caucus chose Bewley as their new leader after the resignation of Senator Jennifer Shilling from that role.

Her accident on July 22, 2022, resulted in the death of 27-year-old Alyssa Ortman and her 5-year-old daughter.

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In a statement, Bewley’s office said: “Tragically, two people lost their lives. This is a heartbreaking event for the community. Our thoughts and prayers are focused on the individuals involved, their families and their loved ones.”

“Senator Bewley, who was not seriously injured in the accident, wants to thank all the dedicated law enforcement and emergency medical personnel who helped in the aftermath of the accident,” the statement said.

“A police investigation is ongoing. Out of respect for that investigation and the privacy of all the families involved, our office will be withholding further comment at this time,” it continued.