Cory Tomczyk was born in north-central Wisconsin and has lived in the area of Mosinee, Wisconsin, since 1988. Shortly after settling in the area, he started an industrial recycling business, Industrial Recyclers of Wisconsin (IROW), which he continues to operate 32 years later.[1]
He was involved in local politics with the Republican Party of Wisconsin and was elected to the Mosinee school board. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he protested against lockdown policies in Wisconsin.[2]
In 2022, incumbent state senator Jerry Petrowski announced he would not run for re-election in the 29th Senate district. A short time later, Tomczyk announced his candidacy for the Republican Party's nomination. He faced a competitive primary and prevailed over his two opponents with 43% of the vote.[3] He went on to win the general election with 62%.[4]
Controversies
In August 2022, multiple witnesses at a Wausau County board meeting reported that Tomczyk referred to a 13-year old as a "fag". A local newssite, theWausau Pilot & Review reported on the use of the homophobic slur.[5] Tomczyk demanded a retraction, and later sued The Wausau Pilot & Review. His case was dismissed in April 2023 when a judge ruled he had not been defamed, a ruling Tomczyk appealed.[6]
Tomczyk has reportedly regularly used homophobic slurs when dealing with interpersonal stress.[7]