He is the founding owner of the La Crosse Loggers Northwoods League baseball team and was a district sales manager at Kaltenberg Seed Farms for 30 years.

[5] During the 2011 Wisconsin protests, Kapanke reported that he had received death threats from his vote, and claimed that the windshield of his car had been vandalized, causing him to cancel public appearances.

On March 2, 2011, the "Committee to Recall Kapanke" officially registered with the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board.

[9] Kapanke indicated his strong support for Governor Scott Walker, explaining it by asking, "How can you go wrong following a leader that obviously gets his mission on this earth?

[14] On April 9, 2011, State Rep. Jennifer Shilling (D - La Crosse) announced her candidacy against Kapanke in a possible recall election.

[17] At the same meeting, Kapanke expressed concern over his re-election bid due to the large number of public workers in his district, saying that he hoped they would sleep through the election.

"[21][22] In late May, the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board (GAB) approved the recall petition against Senator Kapanke, rejecting his challenge.

[24] In the summer 2009, Kapanke announced his intention to run for the United States House of Representatives in Wisconsin's 3rd congressional district.

In October 2009, Kapanke was added to the National Republican Congressional Committee's Young Guns Program as an "On the Radar" candidate.