|

Wisconsin
Elections 2004 An Overview
Andy
Franken and Amy Boyer
The Hamilton Consulting Group
Updated
September 2004
©
2004 The Hamilton Consulting Group
Introduction
State Senate Races
Wisconsin Congressional Races
State Assembly Races
Members of the Wisconsin State Assembly are
elected to two-year terms. All 99 of the Assembly Representatives
are up for re-election this fall. Republicans currently hold a
59-38 majority with two vacancies in the Assembly and are looking
to increase that number or at least hold. Democrats have
challengers running in all but 20 of Republican held seats. The
breakdown of the Assembly seats by partisan makeup is as follows:
Open Competitive
-
36th Assembly
District vacancy created by Rep. Lorraine Seratti (R-Spread
Eagle).
-
44th Assembly
District vacancy created by Rep. Wayne Wood (D-Janesville).
-
68th Assembly
District vacancy created by Rep. Larry Balow (D-Eau Claire).
-
80th Assembly
District vacancy created by Rep. Mike Powers (R-Albany).
-
85th Assembly
District vacancy created by Rep. Greg Huber (D-Wausau).
-
96th Assembly
District vacancy created by Rep. DuWayne Johnsrud (R-Eastman).
Republican Protect
-
5th Assembly
District Incumbent Becky Weber a Republican from Green Bay
faces a challenge by Democrat Tom Nelson of Kaukauna.
-
28th Assembly
District Rep. Mark Pettis (R-Hertel) is being challenged by
Democrat Charles Wolden.
-
43rd Assembly
District Incumbent Republican Debi Towns of Janesville is
being challenged by Democrat Matt McIntyre.
-
47th Assembly
District Rep. Gene Hahn (R-Cambria) is being challenged by
Democrat Meagan Yost..
-
49th Assembly
District Rep. Gabe Loeffelholz (R-Platteville) faces Arlene
Siss in a repeat of a close match-up two years ago.
-
67th Assembly
District Rep. Jeff Wood (R-Chippewa Falls) is being challenged
by Democrat Jeff Monette.
-
87th Assembly
District Rep. Mary Williams (R-Medford) will face Mary
Satterwhite a Democrat from Phillips.
-
88th Assembly
District Incumbent Judy Krawczyk (R-Green Bay) will face
Democrat Dan Aude.
-
90th Assembly
District Rep. Karl Van Roy (R-Green Bay) will face Democrat
Helen Schaal.
Safe Republican
-
1st Assembly
District Rep. Gary Bies (R-Sister Bay)
-
2nd Assembly
District Rep. Frank Lasee (R-Green Bay)
-
3rd Assembly
District Rep. Al Ott (R-Forest Junction)
-
4th Assembly
District Rep. Phil Montgomery (R-Green Bay)
-
6th Assembly
District Rep. John Ainsworth (R-Shawano)
-
14th Assembly
District Rep. Leah Vukmir (R-Wauwatosa)
-
21st Assembly
District Rep. Mark Honadel (R-South Milwaukee)
-
23rd Assembly
District Rep. Curt Gielow (R-Mequon)
-
24th Assembly
District Rep. Sue Jeskewitz (R-Menomonee Falls)
-
27th Assembly
District Rep. Steve Kestell (R-Elkhart Lake)
-
30th Assembly
District Rep. Kitty Rhoades (R-Hudson)
-
31st Assembly
District Rep. Steve Nass (R-Palmyra)
-
32nd Assembly
District Rep. Tom Lothian (R-Williams Bay)
-
33rd Assembly
District Rep. Dan Vrakas (R-Hartland)
-
34th Assembly
District Rep. Dan Meyer (R-Eagle River)
-
35th Assembly
District Rep. Don Friske (R-Merrill)
-
37th Assembly
District Rep. David Ward (R-Fort Atkinson)
-
38th Assembly
District Open seat vacated by Rep. Mickey Foti
-
39th Assembly
District Rep. Jeff Fitzgerald (R-Beaver Dam)
-
40th Assembly
District Rep. Jean Hundertmark (R-Clintonville)
-
41st Assembly
District Open seat vacated by Rep. Luther Olsen and won by
Joan Ballweg. There is no general election.
-
42nd Assembly
District Rep. J.A. Doc Hines (R-Oxford)
-
50th Assembly
District Rep. Sheryl Albers (R-Reedsburg)
-
51st Assembly
District Rep. Stephen Freese (R-Dodgeville)
-
52nd Assembly
District Rep. John Townsend (R-Fond du Lac)
-
53rd Assembly
District Rep. Carol Owens (R-Oshkosh)
-
54th Assembly
District Rep. Gregg Underheim (R-Oshkosh)
-
55th Assembly
District Rep. Dean Kaufert (R-Neenah)
-
56th Assembly
District Rep. Terri McCormick (R-Appleton)
-
57th Assembly
District Rep. Steve Wieckert (R-Appleton)
-
58th Assembly
District Open seat vacated by Glenn Grothman
-
59th Assembly
District Rep. Dan LeMahieu (R-Oostburg)
-
60th Assembly
District Rep. Mark Gottlieb (R-Port Washington)
-
63rd Assembly
District Open seat vacated by Bonnie Ladwig
-
66th Assembly
District Rep. Samantha Kerkman (R-Burlington)
-
69th Assembly
District Rep. Scott Suder (R-Abbotsford)
-
82nd Assembly
District Rep. Jeff Stone (R-Greendale)
-
83rd Assembly
District Rep. Scott Gunderson (R-Waterford)
-
84th Assembly
District Rep. Mark Gundrum (R-New Berlin)
-
86th Assembly
District Rep. Jerry Petrowski (R-Marathon)
-
89th Assembly
District Rep. John Gard (R-Peshtigo)
-
92nd Assembly
District Rep. Terry Musser (R-Black River Falls)
-
93rd Assembly
District Rep. Rob Kreibich (R-Eau Claire)
-
94th Assembly
District Rep. Mike Huebsch (R-West Salem)
-
97th Assembly
District Rep. Ann Nischke (R-Waukesha)
-
98th Assembly
District Rep. Scott Jensen (R-Waukesha)
-
99th Assembly
District Rep. Mickey Lehman (R-Hartford) was defeated in a
Republican primary by Don Pridemore.
Democrat Protect
-
13th Assembly
District Rep. David Cullen will face Republican Matt Adamczyk.
-
29th Assembly
District Rep. Joe Plouff (D-Menomonie) will face Republican
Andy Lamb.
-
74th Assembly
District Rep. Gary Sherman (D-Port Wing) faces Republican and
former Democratic legislator Barb Linton.
-
79th Assembly
District Incumbent Sondy Pope-Roberts (D-Verona) faces
Republican Keith Bakken.
Safe Democrat
-
7th Assembly
District Rep. Peggy Krusick (D-Milwaukee)
-
8th Assembly
District Rep. Pedro Colon (D-Milwaukee)
-
9th Assembly
District Rep. Josh Zepnick (D-Milwaukee)
-
10th Assembly
District Rep. Annette Polly Williams (D-Milwaukee)
-
11th Assembly
District Open seat vacated by Johnnie Morris
-
12th Assembly
District Open seat vacated by Shirley Krug
-
15th Assembly
District Rep. Tony Staskunas (D-West Allis)
-
16th Assembly
District Rep. Leon Young (D-Milwaukee)
-
17th Assembly
District Rep. Barbara Toles (D-Milwaukee)
-
18th Assembly
District Open seat vacated by Lena Taylor
-
19th Assembly
District Rep. Jon Richards (D-Milwaukee)
-
20th Assembly
District Rep. Christine Sinicki (D-Milwaukee)
-
22nd Assembly
District Rep. Sheldon Wasserman (D-Milwaukee)
-
25th Assembly
District Rep. Bob Ziegelbauer (D-Manitowoc)
-
26th Assembly
District Rep. Terry Van Akkeren (D-Sheboygan)
-
45th Assembly
District Open seat vacated by Dan Schooff
-
46th Assembly
District Open seat vacated by Tom Hebl
-
48th Assembly
District Open seat vacated by Mark Miller
-
61st Assembly
District Rep. Robert Turner (D-Racine)
-
62nd Assembly
District Rep. John Lehman (D-Racine)
-
64th Assembly
District Rep. Jim Kreuser (D-Kenosha)
-
65th Assembly
District Rep. John Steinbrink (D-Pleasant Prairie)
-
70th Assembly
District Rep. Amy Sue Vruwink (D-Milladore)
-
71st Assembly
District Rep. Louis Molepski (D-Stevens Point)
-
72nd Assembly
District Rep. Marlin Schneider (D-Wisconsin Rapids)
-
73rd Assembly
District Rep. Frank Boyle (D-Superior)
-
75th Assembly
District Rep. Mary Hubler (D-Rice Lake)
-
76th Assembly
District Rep. Terese Berceau (D-Madison)
-
77th Assembly
District Rep. Spencer Black (D-Madison)
-
78th Assembly
District Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Madison)
-
81st Assembly
District Rep. Dave Travis (D-Waunakee)
-
91st Assembly
District Rep. Barbara Gronemus (D-Whitehall)
-
95th Assembly
District Rep. Jennifer Shilling (D-La Crosse)
Open Competitive District
Assembly District 36
This seat was vacated upon the announced
retirement of incumbent Lorraine Serrati (R-Spread Eagle).
Democrat James Crawford of Crandon, faces
Republican Jeffrey Mursau of Crivitz.
Crawford is employed by the Potawatami Tribe as ordinance consultant,
10-12 years
Northwood
Recreation
Center
in Crandon (nonprofit organization). He is married and has three
children and five grandchildren.
Jeffrey Mursau is married with four children and attended
UW-Oshkosh. He is the Crivitz Village President and a small
business owner owning both Bakers Kitchen and J&T Electric.
Assembly District 44
This seat was vacated upon the announced
retirement of incumbent Wayne Wood (D-Janesville).
Democrat Mike Sheridan is president of United
Auto Workers Local 95.
Republican Ty Bollerud, a foundation and chimney
contractor, will run as a Republican. He ran as an Independent for
governor in 2002.
Running as Independents are Steve
Trueblood and Charles Knipp. Tureblood is a former Legislative
aide to Tim Weeden. He is an ordained minister and is currently
unemployed.
Charles Knipp is a former City of
Janesville Assessor, currently unemployed.
Assembly District 68
This seat was vacated upon the announced
retirement of incumbent Larry Balow (D-Eau Claire).
The Republican candidate is Terry Moulton of
Chippewa Falls. Moulton came within a few hundred votes of winning
a seat in the state Assembly in 2002. The Democratic candidate is
Joe Bee Ziong of Eau Claire. He is a member of the Eau Claire City
Council, a
Vietnam
veteran and police reserve officer.
Robert Hayes Jr. of
Eau
Claire is running on the Libertarian ticket.
Assembly District 80
This seat was vacated upon the announced
retirement of incumbent Mike Powers (R-Albany).
Republican candidate
Brett Davis lives with his wife and newborn son in
Oregon. A native of Monroe, Brett graduated from
Monroe
High School and received his Bachelors Degree in Business
Administration from UW-Oshkosh. Since then, Davis has worked for
former Gov. Tommy G. Thompson, Rep. Mike Powers and, most
recently, as Chief of Staff for Sen. Joe Leibham.
Gof Thomson has been a community banker for 22 years. He is
married and has two grown sons and two grandchildren.
Also in the race is independent candidate Patrick
O'Brien of New Glarus.
Assembly District 85
This seat was vacated due to the election of
incumbent Greg Huber (D-Wausau) as circuit judge in
Marathon County.
Republican Sarah Kamke of Schofield is the former
Mayor of Schofield and has served on the Marathon County Board of
Supervisors.
Democrat Donna Seidel of
Wausau is the Marathon County Clerk of Courts.
Assembly District 96
This seat was vacated due to the retirement of
DuWayne Johnsrud (R-Eastman).
Republican Lee A. Nerison of Westby is married
with three children and has been a dairy farmer his entire life.
Democrat Gail Frie of Viroqua is the Vernon
County Solid Waste and Recycling Manager and is currently serving
as the chair of the finance committee for the City of
Viroqua.
Republican Protect
Assembly District 5
Incumbent
Becky Weber (R-Green
Bay) was born in Green Bay,
Sept. 24, 1954. She is a graduate of Bay Port H.S. (Howard)
1972 and attended
UW-Green
Bay; NWTC; and, U. of Oklahoma Retail Lending School. She is a
self-employed restaurant development and insurance agent, former
business owner, printing and office supply store owner, and bank
officer. Weber was first elected to the Assembly in 2002. She is
married and has two children.
Weber is being challenged by Democrat Tom Nelson
of Kaukauna. Nelson, 28, is finishing up graduate work at
Princeton Universitys Woodrow Wilson School of Public and
International Affairs. Nelson is a 1994 graduate of Little Chute
High School and a 1998 graduate of Carleton College, Northfield,
Minn. He previously worked for a
Washington,
D.C.,
public policy organization called the
Committee for Economic Development.
Assembly District 28
Incumbent
Mark Pettis (R-Hertel) was born in Osceola,
Dec.
18, 1950. He is married and has two children and four
grandchildren. Pettis is a graduate of Osceola H.S. and attended
U.S. Navy school and Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College. He is
a former small business owner and salesman, Vietnam Era veteran,
and served in U.S. Navy. Pettis was first elected to the Assembly
in 1998 and now chairs the Tourism Committee.
Pettis is being challenged by
Charlie Wolden of Frederic in a rematch of the 2002 race.
Pettis defeated Wolden by 53 to 47 percent. Wolden is married and
has four children and two grandchildren. He is the co-owner of
Counseling Associates, Inc. He received a Masters Degree in
Education from UW-Superior. He is a Vietnam Veteran, with combat
duty as a Marine Corps infantryman. Combat medals received include
the Purple Heart, Air Medal, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry,
Presidential Unit Citation and Vietnam Service Medal w/ 4 Bronze
Stars.
U.S.
Marine Corps - 1967-1971; Air Force ROTC - 1972-1974; U.S. Air
Force - 1974-1988.
Assembly District 43
Incumbent
Debi Towns (R-Janesville) was born in Sycamore,
Illinois
on
Feb. 12, 1956. She is married and has four children. A
graduate of Edgerton H.S. in 1974, she received her B.S.B.A. from
Cardinal Stritch Coll. (Milwaukee)
in 1996 and M.S.E. UW-Whitewater in 1999. She attended UW-Oshkosh
and UW-Madison. Towns is the owner of
family dairy farm, is a former business manager for
Brodhead schools, and is a financial consultant for the Dept. of
Public Instruction. She was first elected to the Assembly in 2002.
Towns is being challenged by Democrat Matt
McIntyre of Edgerton. McIntyre won his fifth term as mayor of
Edgerton in April. He ran for an Assembly seat two years ago but
was defeated in the Democratic primary.
Assembly District 47
Incumbent
Gene Hahn (R-Cambria) was born in
Milwaukee,
July 21, 1929. He is married and has four children. Hahn is a
graduate of Cambria H.S. and attended UW College of Agriculture in
1947-48. He is a farmer and was first elected to the Assembly in
1990.
Democrat
Meagan Yost of Poynette created
and operated a wholesale/retail gift business with wholesale
accounts nationwide and retail shops in Sun Prairie and Madison
and is the sole proprietor of small house cleaning business.
She also has served on the Lowville Town Board and is a founding
member of 1000 Friends of Wisconsin.
Independent
Bill Landgraf of DeForest is also running. Landgraf, age 45,
is married and has two children. He graduated from
Madison West High School in 1977.
Assembly District 49
Incumbent
Gabe Loeffelholz (R- Platteville) was born in the Town of
Paris,
Grant County, on
Nov. 11, 1940, and graduated from Platteville H.S. He is
married and has two children and three grandchildren. Loefellholz
is a farmer and veteran, having served in the U.S. Army and the
Wisconsin National Guard from 1959-64. He was first elected to the
Assembly in 2000.
Democrat Arlene Siss of Platteville ran for the
seat in 2000 and 2002. She was defeated by a 54-46 percent margin
in 2002.
Assembly District 67
Incumbent
Jeffrey Wood (R-Chippewa
Falls) was born in Juneau County on
Sept. 12, 1969. He is married and has one child. Wood is a
graduate of Chippewa Falls Senior H.S. in 1987 and attended UW-Eau
Claire. He is a former small business owner and local government
reporter. He served in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Naval Reserve,
1986-94, and was first elected to the Assembly in 2002. Wood is
vice chair of the Ways & Means Committee and a lead author of the
Taxpayers Bill of Rights or TABOR.
Wood is being challenged by Democrat Jeff Monette
of
Chippewa
Falls.
Independent Jan Morrow of Cornell is also
challenging Wood.
Assembly District 87
Incumbent
Mary Williams (R-Medford) was born in Phillips,
July
8, 1949. She is married and has three children and two
grandchildren. Williams is a graduate of Phillips H.S. in 1967 and
received her associate degree at Taylor County Teachers College in
1969 and B.S. in Elementary Ed at UW-Stevens Point in 1974. She
is a restaurant owner and former elementary teacher for the
Medford Area School District. She was first elected to the
Assembly in 2002.
Williams is being challenged by Democrat Mary
Satterwhite of Phillips. Satterwhite is currently a member of the
Phillips Common Council and Price County Board, to which she was
elected four times. She has served continuously on the board of
health since 1989 and was chairman from 1989-1998. She also has
been president of the Counseling and
Development Center in Phillips, president of the Wis. Counties
Assn. Public Health Affiliate and president of the Pleasant View
Nursing Home Auxiliary. Satterwhite is married and has three
children.
Assembly District 88
Incumbent
Judy Krawczyk (R- Green Bay) was born in
Green Bay,
January 24, 1939. She is married and has three children and seven
grandchildren. She is a graduate of
St.
Joseph's Academy H.S. in 1957. She is a supper club owner and was
first elected to the Assembly in 2000.
Krawczyk is being challenged by Democrat Dan Aude
of
Green Bay.
He is a hair salon and spa owner and a former Brown County Board
Supervisor.
Assembly District 90
Incumbent
Karl Van Roy (R-Green
Bay) was born in Green Bay,
December 1, 1938. He is a graduate of Premontre H.S. (Green
Bay) 1957 and received his B.A. in Economics at
St.
Norbert College (De Pere) 1961. He is a former restaurateur. He
served in the U.S. Army from 1962-64 and was first elected to the
Assembly in 2002.
Van Roy is being challenged by Democrat Helen
Schaal of
Green Bay.
She is the former president of the Green Bay Education
Association.
Safe Republican
Assembly District 1
Incumbent
Gary Bies (R-
Sister Bay) was born in Manitowoc on
Oct. 26, 1946. He is married and has four children. He
received an Associate Degree from
Northeastern Technical College in 1982. He is a former chief
deputy sheriff and a deputy sheriff in Door County for 30 years.
Bies was elected to the Assembly in 2000 and currently chairs the
Assembly Corrections and Courts Committee.
Bies is opposed by Democrat Tom Hermann of
Egg
Harbor. Hermann ran for the 1st Assembly seat in 2002. He was
defeated by Bies by a 66 to 34 percent margin. Hermann is the
chair of the Democratic Party of Door County. Mr. Hermann has
worked a variety of jobs including working at two of Door County's
shipyards. He is married.
Assembly District 2
Incumbent
Frank Lasee (R-Green
Bay) is unopposed. Lasee was born in
Oceanside,
California on
Dec. 11, 1961. He has two children. He received his B.A. from
the
UW-Green
Bay
in 1986. He was elected to the Assembly in 1994. Rep. Lasee
currently chairs the Committee on Government Operations and
Spending Limitations and is a lead author of the Taxpayers Bill of
Rights or TABOR.
Assembly District 3
Incumbent
Al Ott (R- Forest Junction) was born in
Green Bay,
June 19, 1949. He is married and has four children. He is a
graduate of Brillion H.S and the UW-Madison Farm and Industry
Short Course, 1968. Rep. Ott is a former agri-business salesman,
owner/operator of independent agri-business, tenant dairy farmer,
and cash crop farmer. Ott was elected to the Assembly in 1986.
Rep. Ott currently serves as chair of the Committee on
Agriculture.
Ott is opposed by Democrat
Brad Fischer of
Appleton.
Fischer is married and has three children. He is a graduate of
Little Chute H.S. He received an A.A. from
UW-Fox
Valley
and a B.A. from UW-Oshkosh. Fischer is employed as a machinist at
Perfect Patterns, Inc., Appleton.
Assembly District 4
Incumbent
Phil Montgomery (R-Green
Bay) was born in Hammond, Indiana on
July 7, 1957. He is married and has two children. He is a
graduate of T.F. North H.S. and earned a B.S. in Business and
Commerce from the U. of Houston-Downtown,
Houston,
Texas in 1988. Montgomery is a former systems engineer. He was
elected to the Assembly in 1998 and currently serves as chair of
the Financial Institutions Committee.
Montgomery is opposed by Democrat
Tracey Vandeveer of
Green Bay.
Vandeveer intended on seeking election to the 8th
Congressional District, held by Republican Mark Green. She changed
her mind in mid-June saying she didnt want to split the ticket.
She was born in Allouez, Oct. 17th, 1961. She and her partner, Peggy A. Vandeveer, have
one child. She is a graduate of Preble High, 1982, and UW- Green
Bay with a Bachelor's Degree in Humanities.
Assembly District 6
Incumbent
John Ainsworth (R-Shawano) was born in
Shawano
County on
Sept. 21, 1940. He is married and has four children and seven
grandchildren. He is a graduate of Shawano H.S. Ainsworth is a
dairy farmer. He was elected to the Assembly in 1990 and currently
serves as chair of the Assembly Transportation Committee.
Ainsworth is unopposed in the general election.
Assembly District 14
Incumbent
Leah Vukmir (R- Wauwatosa) is unopposed. She was born in
Milwaukee
on
April 26, 1958. She is married and has two children. Vukmir is
a graduate of Brookfield East H.S., 1976, received a B.S. in
nursing from
Marquette in 1980 and a M.S. in nursing from UW-Madison 1983. She
is a registered nurse at St. Mary's Medical Center in Milwaukee
and a nationally certified pediatric nurse practitioner. Vukmir
was first elected to the Assembly in 2002.
Assembly District 21
Incumbent
Mark Honadel (R-South Milwaukee) is unopposed. He was born in
Milwaukee on
March 29, 1956. He is married and has three children. Honadel
is a graduate of Oak Creek H.S. and attended
Milwaukee Area Technical College and Marquette University. He is
the owner of a lawn and garden center and a former professional
metal fabricator, welding instructor, and industrial manager.
Honadel was first elected to Assembly in a July 2003 special
election.
Assembly District 23
Incumbent
Curt Gielow (R-Mequon) is unopposed. He was born in
Evansville,
Indiana on
March 18, 1945. He is married and has two sons. Gielow is a
graduate of Red Bud (Illinois) H.S., received a B.S. in pharmacy
from St. Louis College of Pharmacy (St. Louis) in 1968 and a M.H.A.
from Washington U. (St. Louis) in 1973. Gielow is an executive
search consultant and businessman. He was first elected to the
Assembly in 2002 and is vice chair of the Committee on Health.
Assembly District 24
Incumbent
Sue Jeskewitz (R-Menomonee
Falls) is unopposed. She was born in Galesville on Feb. 21, 1942.
She is married and has two children and two grandchildren. She is
a graduate of Gale-Ettrick H.S. (Galesville) and received her B.A.
from UW-La Crosse in 1964. She is a former bank public relations
representative, teacher, YMCA director, associate director of
Menomonee Falls Chamber of Commerce and real estate broker. She
was first elected to the Assembly in 1996 and is the current chair
of the Audit Committee.
Assembly District 27
Incumbent
Steve Kestell (R-Elkhart
Lake) was born in the Town of
Lyndon on
June
15, 1955. He is married and has three children. He is a graduate of
Plymouth H.S. Kestell is a former hardware store manager and
regional sales manager. He was first elected to the Assembly in
1998.
Assembly District 30
Incumbent
Kitty Rhoades (R-Hudson) was born in
St. Paul,
Minn.,
on
April 7, 1951. She is married and has three children. Rhoades
is a graduate of Hudson H.S. and received a B.S. degree from
UW-River Falls in 1973 and a M.A. degree from Illinois State U. in
1978. She is a consultant and former educator, small business
owner, and Hudson Chamber of Commerce president. She was first
elected to the Assembly in 1998 and serves on the Joint Committee
on Finance.
Rhoades is being challenged by Democrat Tom
Parent of
River
Falls.
Assembly District 31
Incumbent
Steve Nass (R-Palmyra) was born in Whitewater on
Oct.
7, 1952. He is single. Nass is a graduate of Whitewater H.S.and
received a B.S. degree from UW-Whitewater in 1978 and a M.S. Ed.
in school business management from UW-Whitewater in 1990. He is a
former payroll benefits analyst and information
analyst/negotiator. Nass is a member of Wis. Air National Guard,
served in Middle East in Operations Desert Shield and Desert
Storm. He was first elected to the Assembly in 1990 and currently
serves as chair of the Labor Committee.
Nass is being challenged by Democrat Scott Woods
of Delavan. Woods ran unsuccessfully for the 11th
Senate District in 2002 garnering 30 percent of the vote.
Wisconsin Green Party candidate Bruce Hinkforth of Oconomowoc is
also in the race.
Assembly District 32
Incumbent
Thomas Lothian (R-Williams
Bay) was born in Cleveland, Ohio,
December 14, 1928. He is married and has two sons. Lothian is a
graduate of Cleveland Heights H.S. 1947 and received a B.A. in
education from Ohio State U. 1953 and M.A. in chemistry Illinois
Institute of Technology. He is a former assistant professor and
administrator, U. of Illinois-Chicago. He was first elected to the
Assembly in 2002.
Democrat Ryan Schroeder of Delavan is seeking a
rematch of the 2002 election. He was defeated by Lothian by a
margin of 56% to 44%.
Assembly District 33
Incumbent
Dan Vrakas (R- Hartland) was born in
Waukesha on
October 31, 1955. He is a graduate of Waukesha H.S. and received a B.S. degree from
UW-Stevens Point in 1979. Vrakas is a former restaurant owner. He
was first elected to the Assembly in 1990. He has served as the
majority caucus chairperson since 1999.
Vrakas is being challenged by Democrat
Patrick
Byrne of Delafield. Byrne was born in 1949 in
Ireland and raised in Chicago. He holds degrees from DePaul
University and Northwestern University. He is currently a music
teacher in the
Hartland-Lakeside
School District and the choral director for
North
Shore
Middle School. He owns his own photography studio. He is married
with four children.
Assembly District 34
Incumbent
Dan Meyer (R-Eagle
River) was born in Neenah,
Jan. 1, 1949. He is married and has two children. Meyer is a
graduate of Neenah H.S. and received his B.B.A. from UW-Oshkosh
1978. He is the former executive director of Eagle River Chamber
of Commerce and
Visitors Center. A Vietnam Era veteran, he served in U.S. Army. He
was first elected to the Assembly in 2000. Meyer is currently a
member of the Joint Committee on Finance.
Meyer is being challenged Democat Mary Kinnunen
of Rhinelander.
Assembly District 35
Incumbent
Don Friske (R- Merrill) was born in Tomahawk on
Nov.
9, 1961. He is married and has three children. Friske is a
graduate of Tomahawk H.S. He is a former deputy sheriff and served
in Army from 1979 to 1985. He was first elected to the Assembly in
2000.
Friske is opposed by Democrat Bill Brandt of
Antigo. Brandt, an Antigo native, is currently serving as chief of
the Antigo Police department. Born and raised in Antigo, Brandt
graduated from
Antigo High School and attended the University of Wisconsin for
four years where he played football for the Badgers. He is a
former owner and operator of Brandts Bar and Grill.
Assembly District 37
Incumbent
David Ward (R-Fort Atkinson) was born in
Fort
Atkinson on
April 29, 1953. He is married and has one child. Ward is a
graduate of Fort Atkinson H.S. and received a B.S. degree in
agricultural economics at UW-Platteville in 1976. He is the
president of a
family farm corporation. Ward was first elected to the Assembly in
1992 and is a member of the Joint Committee on Finance.
Ward is being challenged by Democrat Gary
Rattmann of
Cambridge.
Rattmann is the Chairman of the Town of
Christiana.
Assembly District 38
This seat was vacated upon the announced
retirement of incumbent Majority Leader Mickey Foti.
Republican
Joel Kleefisch of Oconomowoc defeated two others in the
primary to move to the November election. Kleefisch worked as an
award-winning investigative TV journalist and lives in Oconomowoc
with his wife and child. Kleefisch graduated with a B.A. from
Pepperdine University and worked in television news for nearly a
decade. He served as a legislative aide to Majority Leader Foti.
Democrat Pam Johnson of Oconomowoc is registered
nurse at Children's Hospital. Johnson is a member of the
Oconomowoc Area School District Parents Advisory Council.
Assembly District 39
Incumbent
Jeff Fitzgerald (R- Horicon) was born in
Chicago
on
Oct. 12, 1966. He has one son. Fitzgerald is a graduate of
Hustisford H.S. and received a B.S. degree from UW-Oshkosh. He is
a small business owner. He was first elected to the Assembly in
2000 and currently serves as chair of the State Affairs Committee.
Fitzgerald is being challenged by Democrat Vic
Spadaro of Beaver Dam.
Assembly District 40
Incumbent
Jean Hundertmark (R-Clintonville) was born in
Milwaukee
on
Feb. 25, 1954. She is married and has two daughters. She is a
graduate of West Allis Central H.S. and Bryant and
Stratton College, Milwaukee in 1973. Hundertmark is a restaurant
owner. She was first elected to the Assembly in 1998 and has been
reelected since. She has served as assistant majority leader since
2003.
Democrat Cornelius Van Handel of
New
London is also in the race.
Assembly District 41
This seat was vacated upon incumbent Luther
Olsens bid for the 14th Senate District. There was a
nine-way Republican primary with no Democratic challenge.
Joan Ballweg , 52, is a Waupun businesswoman from Markesan,
served as mayor of Markesan from 1991 to 1997, and owns and
operates Ballweg Implement Co. along with her husband Tom. She was
born in
Milwaukee,
March 16, 1952. She is a graduate of
Nathan Hale High School, West Allis and UW-Stevens Point,
Elementary Education. She is married and has three children.
Constitution Party candidate James Tostenson of
Fremont is also in the race
Assembly District 42
Incumbent
J.A. "Doc" Hines (R-Oxford) was born in
West Salem,
Ohio on
May 1, 1927. He is married and has five children. Hines is a
graduate of
Homer
Rural School, Homerville, Ohio and received his D.V.M. at
Ohio
State
University 1953. Hines is a veterinarian, beef farmer and bed and
breakfast owner/operator. Hines is a World War II veteran, serving
in the Army from 1945-1947. Hines was first elected to the
Assembly in a November 2001 special election. Hines is currently
chair of the Public Health Committee.
Hines is being challenged by Democrat Tim Henney
of
Portage. Henney challenged Hines in the 2001
special election, receiving 43 percent of the vote.
Assembly District 50
Incumbent
Sheryl Albers (R-Reedsburg) was born in Baraboo,
Sept.
9, 1954. She has one son. She is a graduate of Baraboo Senior H.S.
and attended Carroll College 1972-74. She received her B.A. from
Ripon
College, and her J.D. from UW-Madison in 2004. She is a former
Assembly Republican Caucus Policy Analyst. First elected to the
Assembly in a December 1991 special election, Albers currently
serves as chair of the Property Rights and Land Management
Committee.
Albers Democratic opponent is Will Buros of
Cazenovia.
Libertarian
Tom Kuester of
Rock
Springs is also running. The son of
Wisconsin farmers, Tom Kuester was born on Christmas Eve
1940 in
Clark
County. He is a graduate of Thorp High School. Tom is married and
has three children and six grandchildren. Tom has served on
several town boards and as Planning Commissioner and Sanitary
Commissioner for the town of Baraboo.
Assembly
District 51
Incumbent
Stephen Freese (R-Dodgeville) was born in
Dubuque,
Iowa,
March 16, 1960. He is married and has two children. He is a
graduate Southwestern Community H.S. (Hazel Green) and received
his B.S. in political science from UW-Platteville in 1982. He is a
farm manager. Freese was first elected to the Assembly in 1990 and
has served as Speaker Pro Tempore 2003, 2001, 1999, 1997, 1995.
Freese is being challenged by Democrat Todd
Miller of Spring Green.
Assembly District 52
Incumbent
John Townsend (R-
Fond
du Lac) was born in St. Louis, Missouri on
May 23, 1938. He is married and has two children. He is a
graduate of Madison H.S. (Madison Heights,
Mich.) and received his B.S. from Wayne State U. in 1960, and
M.B.A. Wayne State U. 1967. He is a former partner in a small
business and a corporate executive. A Vietnam veteran, he served
in the U.S. Navy, U.S. Naval Reserves, and is a retired Captain,
U.S. Naval Reserves. He was first elected to the Assembly in 1998.
Townsend is being challenged by Democrat Eric
Schultz of
North Fond du Lac.
Assembly District 53
Incumbent
Carol Owens (R-Oshkosh) was born in Wabeno on
Aug.
8, 1931. She is married and has four children. Owens is a graduate
of Wabeno H.S. and attended Fox Valley and Moraine Park Technical
Colleges. She is a former dairy farmer. She was first elected to
the Assembly in 1992.
Democrat LuAnn Bird of
Oshkosh is the former executive director for the League of Women
Voters of Wisconsin. Bird is a former sanitary district
commissioner and was twice elected to the school board, and served
as president. Bird is married and has two children.
Assembly District 54
Incumbent
Gregg Underheim (R-Oshkosh) was born in
La Crosse
on
Aug. 22, 1950. He is single. Underheim is a graduate of La
Crosse Central H.S. and received a B.S. degree from UW-La Crosse
in 1972. He is a former high school English teacher, congressional
aide to Congressman Thomas Petri, and small business owner. He was
first elected to the Assembly in a June 1987 special election.
Rep. Underheim is the chair of the Health Committee.
Underheim is being challenged by Democrat
Gordon Hintz of
Oshkosh, Independent Dan Carpenter of
Oshkosh,
and Wisconsin Green Party candidate
Tony Palmeri of Oshkosh.
Hintz was born and raised in
Oshkosh. He is a graduate of Oshkosh North High School. Hintz
received a bachelors degree in political science from Hamline
University. Hintz worked for U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl and former U.S.
Rep. Jay Johnson as a Legislative Staff Assistant in
Washington,
DC.
In 2001, he earned a masters degree in public affairs at the U.W.-Madison.
Hintz currently is an associate with Public Administration
Associates LLC, a municipal consulting firm in
Oshkosh.
Palmeri was born on
July
1, 1961 in
Brooklyn,
New York. He graduated from Archbishop Molloy High School in 1979.
He attended St. John's University in New York and earned his
Bachelor's degree in "Rhetoric and Public Address" in 1983. At
Central Michigan University he received an M.A. degree in
Communication Studies in 1984. From 1984 - 1987 he attended Wayne
State University in Detroit, earning his Ph.D in Rhetoric and
Communication studies.
Assembly District 55
Incumbent
Dean Kaufert (R-Neenah) is unopposed. He was born in
Outagamie County,
May 23, 1957. He is married and has two children. Kaufert is
a graduate of Neenah H.S. and is the owner of a trophy and awards
store. He was first elected to the Assembly in 1990. Rep. Kaufert
currently serves as co-chair of the Joint Committee on Finance.
Assembly District 56
Incumbent
Terri McCormick (R-Appleton) is unopposed. She was born in
Waupun and has three children. McCormick is a graduate of Lowell
P. Goodrich H.S. (Fond du Lac) and received her Assoc. Arts at
UW-Fond du Lac in 1976 and a B.S. degree magna cum laude from
UW-Oshkosh 1980; She did post graduate work at U. of Windsor 1982;
Education Certificate Lawrence U. 1993; M.A. in Educational
Administration, Marian College (Fond du Lac) 2000. She is a former
education consultant. She was first elected to the Assembly in
2000 and currently serves as chair of the Economic Development
Committee.
Assembly District 57
Incumbent
Steve Wieckert (R- Appleton) is unopposed. He was born in
Appleton
on
Oct. 26, 1954. He is married. Wieckert is a graduate of
Appleton West H.S. and attended
Philips Exeter Academy. He received his B.A. in political science
and M.A. in public administration from American University,
Washington, D.C. 1978, 1981. He is the CEO of Wieckert Real
Estate. He is a former legislative assistant for Congressman Tom
Petri. Wieckert was first elected to the Assembly in 1996 and
currently serves as chair of the Housing Committee.
|