Cathy Stepp

Cathy Stepp (born August 17, 1963) is a Wisconsin politician and business owner.

Born in Kenosha, Wisconsin, Stepp graduated from Oak Creek High School in Oak Creek, Wisconsin. Stepp and her husband own a construction business. In 2002, Stepp successfully challenged Democratic Sen. Kimberly Plache for Plache's Racine County-based State Senate seat. From 2003 until 2007, Stepp served as a Republican in the Wisconsin State Senate, representing the 21st District.[1] Stepp chose not to run for re-election in 2006 and was succeeded by Democrat John Lehman.

In January 2011, Governor Scott Walker appointed Stepp to be his Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR).[2] During her tenure, Stepp rolled back environmental oversight and regulation.[3]

In August 2017, it was announced that Stepp would be resigning to become a deputy administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.[4] Stepp supported Trump at rallies in Wisconsin, and has questioned the existence of climate change.[5]

In September 2018, despite many warnings and data showing toxic and carcinogenic Ethylene Oxide being emitted by Sterigenics in Willowbrook, IL, Stepp cancelled meetings on 3 occasions that would have potentially shut down the facility that is harming people in a mostly residential area. [6]

Electoral history

Wisconsin 21st District Senate Election 2002
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Republican Cathy Stepp 25,367 50.77
Democratic Kimberly Plache (incumbent) 24,594 49.23
Wisconsin State Senate
Preceded by
Kimberly Plache		 Wisconsin State Senator - 21st District
2003 – 2007		 Succeeded by
John Lehman

Notes

  1. ↑ Wisconsin Historical Society, Cathy Stepp
  2. ↑ DNR Secretary
  3. ↑ Hawthorne, Michael. "Trump EPA pick for Chicago office cut enforcement, scrapped climate change information in Wisconsin". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 2017-12-31.
  4. ↑ Bauer, Scott (29 August 2017). "Wisconsin DNR secretary Cathy Stepp leaving agency for EPA job". TwinCities.com. Associated Press. Retrieved 19 September 2017.
  5. ↑ Verburg, Steven. "Secretary Cathy Stepp leaving DNR to join Donald Trump's EPA". Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved January 24, 2018.
  6. ↑ https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases/duckworth-durbin-demand-meeting-with-epa-acting-administrator-after-regional-administrator-cancels-meeting-three-times-with-little-notice-or-explanation


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