Jeff Fitzgerald

Jeff Fitzgerald (born October 12, 1966) is an American politician who served as the 78th Speaker of the Wisconsin State Assembly during the contentious 100th Wisconsin Legislature. A Republican, he represented the 39th Assembly District from 2001 until 2013. He ran for the United States Senate in 2012, but lost the Republican primary by a wide margin to former Governor Tommy Thompson. After leaving the Assembly, he became a lobbyist.[1]

For the American football coach, see Jeff FitzGerald.

Jeff Fitzgerald
78th Speaker of the Wisconsin Assembly
In office
January 3, 2011 – January 3, 2013
Preceded byMichael J. Sheridan
Succeeded byRobin Vos
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly
from the 39th district
In office
January 3, 2001 – January 3, 2013
Preceded byRobert Goetsch
Succeeded byMark Born
Personal details
Born (1966-10-12) October 12, 1966
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)Andrea Fitzgerald
Children2
RelativesScott L. Fitzgerald (brother)
ResidenceHoricon, Wisconsin, U.S.
Alma materUniversity of Wisconsin–Oshkosh
OccupationPolitician, businessman

Early life, education, and business career

Born in Chicago, Illinois, Fitzgerald moved with his family to Hustisford, Wisconsin. After graduating from Hustisford High School, Fitzgerald attended University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and received his bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. He was a small business owner and served on the Beaver Dam, Wisconsin Common Council 2000-03. He is a member of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.[2]

Wisconsin State Assembly

Elections

He was elected in 2000. In 2002, he won re-election unopposed.[3] In 2004, he won re-election a third term with 70% of the vote.[4] In 2006, he won re-election to a fourth term with 63% of the vote.[5] In 2008, he won re-election to a fifth term with 60% of the vote.[6] In 2010, he won re-election to a sixth term unopposed.[7] In 2012, he decided against running for re-election, instead announcing, in October 2011, that he would seek the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by retiring US Senator Herb Kohl.

2012 U.S. Senate election

In October 2011, Fitzgerald announced that he would run for the United States Senate seat being vacated by retiring Senator Herb Kohl, a Democrat.[8] He lost the nomination on August 14, 2012 in a four-way primary battle against former Governor Tommy Thompson (the winner), millionaire Eric Hovde, and former Congressman Mark Neumann.[9]

Personal life

Jeff Fitzgerald lives with his wife, Andrea, and two children in Horicon, Wisconsin. His older brother, Scott L. Fitzgerald, is a State Senator from the 13th Senate District, and the Senate Majority Leader.[1]

References
  1. "Block revolving door at Capitol", Wisconsin State Journal online. Retrieved December 25, 2014.
  2. Jeff Fitzgerald profile, votesmart.org. Retrieved November 15, 2014.
  3. "WI State House 39 Race". Our Campaigns. November 5, 2002. Retrieved January 13, 2015.
  4. "WI State House District 39 Race". Our Campaigns. November 2, 2004. Retrieved January 13, 2015.
  5. "WI State House 39 Race". Our Campaigns. November 7, 2006. Retrieved January 13, 2015.
  6. "WI State House 39 Race". Our Campaigns. November 4, 2008. Retrieved January 13, 2015.
  7. "WI State House 39 Race". Our Campaigns. November 2, 2010. Retrieved January 13, 2015.
  8. Jeff Fitzgerald to run for US Senate, thirdage.com, October 11, 2011. Retrieved December 25, 2014.
  9. Vaccino, Steven."Tommy Thompson Wins G.O.P. Senate Primary Race in Wisconsin", The New York Times, August 15, 2012. Retrieved December 25, 2014.
Wisconsin State Assembly
Preceded by
Robert Goetsch		 Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the 39th district
2001 – 2013		 Succeeded by
Mark Born
Preceded by
Michael J. Sheridan		 Speaker of the Wisconsin Assembly
2011 – 2013		 Succeeded by
Robin Vos
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