Dave Heaton (Wisconsin politician)
Representative Dave Heaton | |
---|---|
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the 85th district | |
In office January 5, 2015 – January 3, 2017 | |
Preceded by | Mandy Wright |
Succeeded by | Patrick Snyder |
Personal details | |
Born | Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | October 19, 1971
Political party | Republican |
Residence | Wausau, Wisconsin |
Education | Northern Illinois University (BA) DePaul University (JD) |
Profession | Reinsurance consultant, attorney, former prosecutor |
Website | legis |
Dave Heaton (born October 19, 1971) is an American businessman and politician and a former member of the Wisconsin State Assembly.
Background
Dave Heaton grew up in a family of 15 siblings.[1] After high school, he joined the Air National Guard where he served from 1990 to 1996 while simultaneously working his way through college.[2] In 1998, Heaton earned his Juris Doctor degree from DePaul University law school and worked as a prosecutor in Cook County, Illinois. Heaton's career then moved into the private sector as he transitioned from the practice of law into business roles. He currently works as a reinsurance consultant for a company in Wausau.
Elective office
On April 24, 2014 Heaton announced has candidacy for Wisconsin's 85th Assembly District.[3] Heaton was unopposed in the August Republican primary[4] and on November 4, 2014 Heaton defeated incumbent Mandy Wright by 85 votes out of the over 22,000 cast.[5] After the completion of the final canvass of votes his opponent conceded the tight race.[6][7] Heaton is the first Republican to represent Wausau in the Assembly in over 50 years.
Electoral history
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Dave Heaton | 11,167 | 50.19% | +3.68 % | |
Democratic | Mandy Wright | 11,082 | 49.81% | +0.06 % | |
Republican gain from Democratic |
2015–2017 Legislature
On January 5, 2015, Representative Heaton was sworn into the Wisconsin State Assembly as member of a 63 member Republican majority the largest in more than 50 years.[8] For the 2015–2017 Session he serves on the Assembly Committees on Consumer Protection, where he serves as Vice Chairman, Children and Families, Judiciary, and Veterans and Military Affairs.[9] Heaton was also appointed to serve as a member of the Speaker's Task Force on Urban Education.[10]
On November 17, 2015 the national advocacy organization, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) recognized Representative Heaton as one of their 2015 Legislators of the Year in Wisconsin.[11] Heaton was recognized for his work on Assembly Bill 266[12] and Senate Bill 222[13] that would strengthen the state's ignition interlock law.[14]
Personal life
Heaton lives in Wausau, Wisconsin with his wife and their three children.
References
- ^ "Dave Heaton: Why I'm running for Assembly".
- ^ http://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/misc/lrb/blue_book/2015_2016/200_biographies.pdf – pg.77
- ^ "Dave Heaton to challenge Mandy Wright in 85th Assembly race - News - WSAU News/Talk 550AM 99.9FM". wsau.com. Archived from the original on 2015-12-22.
- ^ http://www.gab.wi.gov/sites/default/files/Representative%20to%20the%20Assembly%20-%20County%20by%20County%20Results%20%288.12.14%29.pdf Archived 2014-09-05 at the Wayback Machine – pg.184
- ^ "Heaton defeats Wright with razor-thin margin".
- ^ "State Rep. Mandy Wright concedes election - WAOW - Newsline 9, Wausau News, Weather, Sports". Archived from the original on 2015-12-22. Retrieved 2015-12-13.
- ^ "Assembly Democrat Wright concedes race to Republican challenger Heaton - News - WTAQ News Talk 97.5FM and 1360AM". wtaq.com. Archived from the original on 2014-11-14.
- ^ "GOP majorities in Legislature grow, giving boost to Walker".
- ^ "Representative David Heaton".
- ^ http://legis.wisconsin.gov/assembly/vos/pressreleases/pages/speaker%20vos%20creates%20three%20bipartisan%20task%20forces.aspx
- ^ "MADD - MADD Announces 2015 Legislators of the Year". Archived from the original on 2015-11-24. Retrieved 2015-12-13.
- ^ http://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2015/related/proposals/ab266.pdf [bare URL PDF]
- ^ http://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2015/related/proposals/sb222.pdf [bare URL PDF]
- ^ "MADD - MADD Announces 2015 Legislators of the Year". Archived from the original on 2015-11-24. Retrieved 2015-12-13.
- 1971 births
- Living people
- Politicians from Chicago
- Politicians from Wausau, Wisconsin
- DePaul University College of Law alumni
- Northern Illinois University alumni
- Military personnel from Wisconsin
- Republican Party members of the Wisconsin State Assembly
- Businesspeople from Wisconsin
- Illinois lawyers
- Wisconsin lawyers
- 21st-century American politicians