Joel Kleefisch
Joel Kleefisch | |
---|---|
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the 38th district | |
In office January 3, 2005 – January 7, 2019 | |
Preceded by | Steven Foti[1] |
Succeeded by | Barbara Dittrich |
Second Gentleman of Wisconsin | |
In role January 3, 2011 – January 7, 2019 | |
Governor | Scott Walker |
Preceded by | Cal Lawton |
Succeeded by | Vacant |
Personal details | |
Born | Waukesha, Wisconsin, U.S. | June 8, 1971
Political party | Republican |
Spouse | Rebecca Reed |
Children | 2 |
Residence | Oconomowoc, Wisconsin |
Alma mater | Pepperdine University |
Profession | Politician |
Joel M. Kleefisch (born June 8, 1971) is an American politician and a former television reporter. He served fourteen years in the Wisconsin State Assembly, representing parts of Waukesha, Jefferson, and eastern Dane counties.[2] His wife, Rebecca Kleefisch, is the former Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin.
Biography
Born in Waukesha, Wisconsin, Kleefisch graduated from Waukesha North High School in 1989. He attended Pepperdine University and received a B.A. in 1993.[3]
Kleefisch worked as a news researcher for KCBS-TV in Los Angeles during the summer of 1992. Upon graduation from Pepperdine he worked as a reporter for WREX-TV in Rockford, Illinois from 1993 to 1994.[4] Kleefisch then was hired by WISN-TV as an assignment desk person and part-time reporter in 1994 before becoming a full-time general assignment reporter, where he worked until entering politics. As a reporter at WISN-TV, he appeared on CNN to discuss the trial of Mark Chmura.[5] He won an award for "Best investigative report or series" from the Milwaukee Press Club in 1999 for a piece about date rape drugs.[6] Rebecca was also a reporter and anchor for WISN and the two would marry in 1999 shortly after she moved to that station from Rockford, Illinois.[7] The couple now have two children.
Kleefisch was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2004, and was re-elected in 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, and 2016.[4] He represented Oconomowoc and surrounding areas of western Waukesha County, northern Jefferson County, and eastern Dane County. In 2009 he co-sponsored legislation to increase the penalties in Wisconsin for driving under the influence.[8]
Kleefisch did not seek re-election in 2018 and left office at the end of the 2018 session and was succeeded by Barbara Dittrich.[9]
References
- ^ [1] Archived November 19, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ 'The State of Wisconsin Blue Book 2009-2010. Biographical sketch of Joel Kleefisch, p. 45
- ^ "Joel Kleefisch, Currently Elected State Representative District 38, Wisconsin". Vote-la.org. Retrieved 3 June 2012.
- ^ a b "Assembly Member Joel Kleefisch - Biography - Project Vote Smart". Votesmart.org. Retrieved 3 June 2012.
- ^ "CNN Transcript - Burden of Proof: Mark Chmura On Trial: Former Pro Football Player Accused of Sexually Assaulting 17-Year-Old Babysitter - February 2, 2001". Transcripts.cnn.com. 2 February 2001. Retrieved 3 June 2012.
- ^ "Contest & Honors presented by The Milwaukee Press Club". Milwaukeepressclub.org. Retrieved 3 June 2012.
- ^ [2]
- ^ "Wisconsin Legislature: Kleefisch, Rep. Joel M.(38th A.Dist.; Rep.)". Nxt.legis.state.wi.us. Retrieved 3 June 2012.
- ^ Beck, Molly (April 17, 2018). "Joel Kleefisch latest Republican lawmaker to not seek re-election". Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved June 13, 2019.
External links
- 1971 births
- Living people
- Journalists from Wisconsin
- Members of the Wisconsin State Assembly
- People from Oconomowoc, Wisconsin
- Politicians from Waukesha, Wisconsin
- American evangelicals
- Pepperdine University alumni
- Wisconsin Republicans
- American television reporters and correspondents
- 21st-century American politicians