Kathleen Vinehout

Last updated

Four candidates (including Vinehout) at recall primary debate for Governor of Wisconsin, 2012 Kathleen 2012 Democratic Primary Debate.png
Four candidates (including Vinehout) at recall primary debate for Governor of Wisconsin, 2012

During the protests in Wisconsin, Vinehout, along with the 13 other Democratic State Senators, left the state to deny the State Senate a quorum on Governor Scott Walker's controversial "Budget Repair" legislation. She returned to the State of Wisconsin on March 12, 2011. [14]

Political positions

Health care

Sen. Vinehout describes fixing health care as a passion of hers. [15] Before she was elected into the State Senate, her family was without health care for a couple years when her son required an emergency appendectomy. [6]

She believes Wisconsin should accept the federal Medicaid expansion that current Governor Walker rejected. [16] Doing so would cover 79,000 more people and give Wisconsin roughly $286 million in cash to spend. In her alternative budget, she puts this extra money towards mental health and substance abuse programs. [17]

She favors creating a Wisconsin-based market-place for health care, which would keep coverage and prices in the state relatively stable even if funding from the federal government were to lag. It would also allow Wisconsin to offer BadgerCare as a public option. [15]

Education

Vinehout believes that Wisconsin public schools need to be funded more by state money instead of property taxes [18] and that the state needs to fix its school funding formula that representatives from both parties have described as "broken." [19] [20] On her website, she says that "Despite increases in the Governor's election-year budget, schools haven't recovered from the massive cuts in state aid in 2011. In real dollars, schools will be getting less in the next two years than a decade ago. [18] " In her alternative budget, she eliminates corporate tax breaks and cash payments and uses that money to pay for public education. [17]

Her alternative budget also includes replacing the money current Governor Walker cut from the University of Wisconsin system over his eight years in office and investing an additional $100 million in needs-based financial aid. [17]

She was also a member of the Wisconsin 14 who left the state to protest Governor Walker's contentious Act 10 bill that eliminated collective bargaining for teachers. She believes that Walker's actions disrespected school teachers and had a profoundly negative effect on Wisconsin's schools. [18]

Environment

Vinehout favors having DNR run by an independent Secretary appointed by the Natural Resources Board rather than a Secretary appointed by the Governor. She has called for restoring funding of the Department of Natural Resources, rehiring scientists, seriously addressing the threat of climate change, and stronger environmental protections, especially of sand mines and CAFOs. [21]

Economy

Sen. Vinehout has criticized the slow rate of growth under Gov. Scott Walker's policies. She believes state must create an environment in which the private sector thrives. The public sector should be focused on enriching the economic soil so that all plants can start and grow. [22]

Local control

Vinehout states that the government must stop forcing local communities to accept policies and priorities that do not reflect local needs, conditions, or values. Local community decisions must be made by local residents. [23]

Veterans

Vinehout wants to fix the management problems that are present in Wisconsin's Veterans homes. She wants to restore funding to veterans' programs including for homeless veterans (the Veteran Assistance Program) and the Assistance to Needy Veterans program that was cut by Governor Walker. [24] She also believes it is necessary to restore the advisory organizations that have been disbanded, especially the Board of Veterans Affairs committees that deal with program review, legislation, long term care, and financing.

Racial equality

Vinehout insists on a $15 an hour minimum wage, changing Truth in Sentencing standards, offering treatment alternatives to prison, providing mental health services, improving inner city public schools, and expanding home ownership. She believes that President Obama's Task Force on 21st Century Policing holds the steps toward building trust between our citizens and law enforcement. [25]

Controversies

In 2009, Planned Parenthood revoked its endorsement of Kathleen when she authored an amendment to a reproductive rights bill that was designed to ensure access to birth control. [26] Under the original bill, pharmacists would be required to fill prescriptions for abortion medication regardless of their religious beliefs. Sen. Vinehout claimed that such language violated the Wisconsin constitution, which states that no "control of, or interference with, the rights of conscience be permitted [26] " and authored an amendment to the bill that allowed pharmacists to conscientiously object as long as they ensured that the patient would be able to receive the abortion drugs.

A bill very similar to the one Kathleen proposed passed in the Wisconsin state budget in 2010 with the backing of Planned Parenthood. [27]

Vinehout considers herself pro-choice and believes that contraception should always be accessible and that abortions should be safe, legal, and rare. [28]

In 2010 and 2014, Vinehout received an "A" rating from the NRA Political Victory Fund. [29] [30] [31] However, she has disagreed with their policies on many occasions. She supports increased background checks, banning bump stocks, and a continuation of the ban on fully automatic weapons. [32]

When speaking about gun issues, she has referenced her grandfather's death because of gun violence. [33]

Electoral history

Wisconsin 2012 recall election

Vinehout was a candidate in the Democratic Primary during the 2012 Wisconsin Gubernatorial Recall Election. [34] She garnered four percent of the vote, coming in third.

2014 gubernatorial election

In January 2014, Senator Vinehout announced she would not run for Governor of Wisconsin because of injuries she received in a car accident in Racine County, Wisconsin, in December 2013. [35]

2018 gubernatorial election

In June 2017 Vinehout officially registered a committee for the 2018 Wisconsin governor election. [36]

Election Results

Kathleen Vinehout
SenatorVinehout.JPG
Member of the Wisconsin Senate
from the 31st district
In office
January 3, 2007 –January 7, 2019
Wisconsin Democratic Gubernatorial Primary Election, 2018 [37] [38]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic Tony Evers 225,082 41.77%
Democratic Mahlon Mitchell 87,92616.32%
Democratic Kelda Roys 69,08612.82%
Democratic Kathleen Vinehout44,1688.20%
Democratic Mike McCabe 39,8857.40%
Democratic Matt Flynn 31,5805.86%
Democratic Paul Soglin 28,1585.23%
Democratic Andy Gronik 6,6271.23%
Democratic Dana Wachs 4,2160.78%
Democratic Josh Pade1,9080.35%
Write-ins2210.04%
Total votes'537,719''100.0%'+72.29%
Wisconsin State Senate District 31 Election 2014
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic Kathleen Vinehout (incumbent) 35,508 52.32% +2.05%
Republican Mel Pittman32,31747.62%-1.99%
Write-ins380.06%-0.06%
Total votes'67,863''100.0%'+12.55%
Wisconsin Democratic Gubernatorial Recall Primary Election, 2012 [39]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic Tom Barrett 390,191 58.10%
Democratic Kathleen Falk 229,23634.13%
Democratic Kathleen Vinehout26,9674.02%
Democratic Doug La Follette 19,4972.90%
Democratic Gladys Huber4,8470.72%
Write-ins8640.13%
Total votes'671,602''100.0%'
Wisconsin State Senate District 31 Election 2010
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic Kathleen Vinehout (incumbent) 30,314 50.27% -1.31%
Republican Ed Thompson 29,91149.61%+1.28%
Write-ins730.12%+0.04%
Total votes'60,298''100.0%'-2.49%
Wisconsin State Senate District 31 Election 2006
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic Kathleen Vinehout31,89551.58%
Republican Ron Brown (incumbent)29,89048.33%-2.16%
Write-ins550.08%
Total votes'61,840''100.0%'+13.81%

Personal life

Vinehout owns a farm with her husband, Doug, a former member of the Illinois House of Representatives and current member of the Board of Education in Alma. Her family operates a 223-acre (0.90 km2) organic farm near Alma, Wisconsin. She owns a cat and a pair of beloved horses. Doug and Kathleen have one son, Nathan, recently graduated from Macalester College. [6]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ed Thompson (Wisconsin politician)</span> American businessman and politician (1944–2011)

Allan Edward "Ed" Thompson was an American businessman and politician. He served as Mayor of Tomah, Wisconsin for two non-consecutive terms, and was the Libertarian candidate for Governor of Wisconsin in 2002, receiving nearly 11% of the vote in that race.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mary Landrieu</span> American politician (born 1955)

Mary Loretta Landrieu is an American entrepreneur and politician who served as a United States senator from Louisiana from 1997 to 2015. A member of the Democratic Party, Landrieu served as the Louisiana State Treasurer from 1988 to 1996, and in the Louisiana House of Representatives from 1980 to 1988.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tammy Baldwin</span> American lawyer and politician (born 1962)

Tammy Suzanne Green Baldwin is an American politician and lawyer who has served as the junior United States senator from Wisconsin since 2013. A member of the Democratic Party, she served three terms in the Wisconsin State Assembly, representing the 78th district, and from 1999 to 2013 represented Wisconsin's 2nd congressional district in the United States House of Representatives. In 2012, Baldwin was elected to the United States Senate, defeating Republican nominee Tommy Thompson. In 2018, Baldwin was reelected, defeating Republican nominee Leah Vukmir. On April 12, 2023, Baldwin announced her candidacy for reelection in the 2024 Senate election in Wisconsin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Phil Bredesen</span> American politician and former Governor of Tennessee

Philip Norman Bredesen Jr. is an American politician and businessman who served as the 48th governor of Tennessee from 2003 to 2011. A member of the Democratic Party, he was elected in 2002 with 50.6% of the vote and re-elected in 2006 with 68.6%. He is the most recent Democrat elected to a statewide office in the state. He served as the 66th mayor of Nashville from 1991 to 1999. Bredesen is the founder of the HealthAmerica Corporation, which he sold in 1986.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kathleen Sebelius</span> American politician (born 1948)

Kathleen Sebelius is an American politician who served as the 21st United States Secretary of Health and Human Services from 2009 until 2014. As Secretary of Health and Human Services, Sebelius was instrumental in overseeing the implementation of the Affordable Care Act. Before becoming secretary, she served as the 44th governor of Kansas from 2003 to 2009, the second woman to hold that office. She is a member of the Democratic Party. Sebelius was the Democratic respondent to the 2008 State of the Union address and is chair-emerita of the Democratic Governors Association. She is CEO of Sebelius Resources LLC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scott Walker (politician)</span> American politician (born 1967)

Scott Kevin Walker is an American politician who served as the 45th governor of Wisconsin from 2011 to 2019. A member of the Republican Party, he previously served as Milwaukee County executive from 2002 to 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Karen Handel</span> American politician (born 1962)

Karen Christine Handel is an American businesswoman and politician. A member of the Republican Party, Handel served as chair of the Fulton County Board of Commissioners from 2003 to 2006, as Secretary of State of Georgia from 2007 to 2010, and in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2017 to 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maggie Hassan</span> American politician (born 1958)

Margaret Coldwell Hassan is an American politician and attorney serving as the junior United States senator from New Hampshire since 2017. A member of the Democratic Party, Hassan was the 81st governor of New Hampshire from 2013 to 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kelda Roys</span> 21st century American politician

Kelda Helen Roys is an American tech entrepreneur, business owner, attorney, and Democratic politician from Madison, Wisconsin. She is a member of the Wisconsin Senate, representing the 26th Senate district since 2021. She previously served two terms in the Wisconsin State Assembly. She was a candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in 2012 and for Governor of Wisconsin in 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kathy Bernier</span> American politician

Kathleen M. "Kathy" Bernier is an American politician in Wisconsin who served as a member of the Wisconsin State Senate representing the 23rd district from 2019–2023. She previously was the Chippewa County Clerk from 1998–2011, and served in the Wisconsin State Assembly for the 68th district from 2011 to 2019. In March 2018, Bernier announced that she would run to represent the 23rd district in the Wisconsin State Senate, an open seat due to the retirement of Terry Moulton. She was elected in the November election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">100th Wisconsin Legislature</span>

The One-Hundredth Wisconsin Legislature convened from January 3, 2011, through January 7, 2013, in regular session, though it adjourned for legislative activity on May 22, 2012. The legislature also held two special sessions and an extraordinary session during this legislative term.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2011 Wisconsin protests</span> Demonstrations against proposed state legislation

The 2011 Wisconsin protests were a series of demonstrations in the state of Wisconsin in the United States beginning in February involving as many as 100,000 protesters opposing the 2011 Wisconsin Act 10, also called the "Wisconsin Budget Repair bill." The protests centered on the Wisconsin State Capitol in Madison, with satellite protests also occurring at other municipalities throughout the state. Demonstrations took place at various college campuses, including the University of Wisconsin–Madison and the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. After the collective bargaining bill was upheld by the Wisconsin Supreme Court on June 14, the number of protesters declined to about 1,000 within a couple days.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kathy Hochul</span> Governor of New York since 2021

Kathleen Hochul is an American politician serving as the 57th governor of New York since August 24, 2021. A member of the Democratic Party, she is New York's first female governor, as well as the first governor from Upstate New York since Nathan L. Miller became New York's governor in 1920.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2011 Wisconsin Act 10</span> 2011 Wisconsin legislation

The 2011 Wisconsin Act 10, also known as the Wisconsin Budget Repair Bill, is legislation proposed by Republican Governor Scott Walker and passed by the Wisconsin Legislature to address a projected $3.6 billion budget deficit. The legislation primarily affects the following areas: collective bargaining, compensation, retirement, health insurance, and sick leave of public sector employees. In response, unions and other groups organized protests inside and around the state capitol. The bill was passed into law and became effective as of June 29, 2011. Public employees exempt from the changes to the collective bargaining law include firefighters and most law enforcement workers. The bill was ruled to be constitutional by the Wisconsin Supreme Court in July 2014, after three years of litigation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tony Evers</span> Governor of Wisconsin since 2019

Anthony Steven Evers is an American educator and politician serving as the 46th governor of Wisconsin since 2019. A member of the Democratic Party, he served as Wisconsin's Superintendent of Public Instruction from 2009 to 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012 Wisconsin gubernatorial recall election</span> 2012 attempt to remove Governor Scott Walker from office

The 2012 Wisconsin gubernatorial recall election was a special election to elect the governor and lieutenant governor of Wisconsin. It resulted in voters re-electing incumbent Republican governor Scott Walker over the Democratic candidate Tom Barrett by a larger margin than he had in 2010, in which Walker had also faced Barrett. Recall organizers opposed Walker's agenda, particularly his limiting of collective bargaining rights for state employees and they collected over 900,000 signatures to initiate the recall election process. There was also a recall for Lieutenant Governor Rebecca Kleefisch. She won her race, defeating Democrat Mahlon Mitchell, making her the first lieutenant governor to run in and survive a recall.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2014 Wisconsin gubernatorial election</span> Re-election of Scott Walker as Governor of Wisconsin

The 2014 Wisconsin gubernatorial election took place on November 4, 2014, to determine the governor and lieutenant governor of the U.S. state of Wisconsin. It occurred concurrently with elections to the United States Senate in other states and elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections.

Beth Meyers is an American social worker and Democratic politician. She was a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from 2015 through 2023, representing the 74th Assembly district, in northern Wisconsin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 Wisconsin gubernatorial election</span> First election of Tony Evers as Governor of Wisconsin

The 2018 Wisconsin gubernatorial election took place on November 6, 2018. It occurred concurrently with a Senate election in the state, elections to the state's U.S. House seats, and various other elections. Incumbent Republican Governor Scott Walker sought re-election to a third term, and was challenged by Democratic candidate and then-Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Evers, as well as Libertarian Phil Anderson and independent Maggie Turnbull. Evers, along with his running mate Mandela Barnes, managed to defeat Walker and Lieutenant Governor Rebecca Kleefisch in a closely fought and widely watched race, ending unified Republican control of the state.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 Wisconsin elections</span> Elections

The 2016 Wisconsin Fall General Election was held in the U.S. state of Wisconsin on November 8, 2016. One of Wisconsin's U.S. Senate seats and all eight seats in the United States House of Representatives are up for election, as well as half of the Wisconsin Senate seats and all of the Wisconsin Assembly seats. The 2016 Fall Partisan Primary was held on August 9, 2016.

References

  1. 1 2 "Wisconsin State Legislature". Legis.state.wi.us. June 16, 1958. Retrieved August 19, 2010.
  2. ↑ "Vinehout takes formal step to possible governor's run". WQOW. February 2, 2012. Retrieved March 31, 2012.
  3. ↑ Rebman, Jamie (February 8, 2012). "Vinehout Campaign: Vinehout enters governor's race". Archived from the original on May 2, 2012. Retrieved February 8, 2012.
  4. ↑ "7 Democrats who might challenge Scott Walker in 2018". July 3, 2016.
  5. ↑ "Wisconsin Sen. Kathleen Vinehout is the latest Democrat to run for governor".
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 "About - Vinehout 2018". Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved June 8, 2018.
  7. ↑ "Kathleen Vinehout, Wisconsin State Senator: District 31". Legis.state.wi.us. Archived from the original on July 21, 2010. Retrieved August 19, 2010.
  8. 1 2 "Kathleen Vinehout". Kathleen Vinehout. Retrieved August 19, 2010.
  9. ↑ "The State: State of Wisconsin 2003–2004 blue book: Biographies and photos". Digicoll.library.wisc.edu. Retrieved August 19, 2010.
  10. ↑ "Kathleen Vinehout, Wisconsin State Senator: District 31". Legis.wi.gov. Archived from the original on August 4, 2012. Retrieved August 19, 2010.
  11. ↑ "Kathleen Vinehout declared the winner in Senate District 31". WEAU. November 3, 2010. Retrieved March 31, 2012.
  12. ↑ http://edthompson.com/press-releases/2010/thompson-asks-for-recount/ [ dead link ]
  13. ↑ http://www.wkbt.com/Global/story.asp?S=13536185 [ dead link ]
  14. ↑ "14 Senate Democrats return to Capitol". WLUK-TV. March 12, 2011. Archived from the original on March 11, 2012. Retrieved March 31, 2012.
  15. 1 2 "Online Casino Malaysia - FREE SPINS - BEST SLOT MACHINES - 2021". Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved June 9, 2018.
  16. ↑ "Scott Walker Refuses Federal Funding for Medicaid Expansion, Again". February 19, 2015.
  17. 1 2 3 http://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/themes/599eed35c4b9f52e32000000/attachments/original/1506438323/2017-19%20budget%20presentation%20final%20072717.pdf?1506438323 [ bare URL PDF ]
  18. 1 2 3 "Online Casino Malaysia - FREE SPINS - BEST SLOT MACHINES - 2021".
  19. ↑ "KATHLEEN VINEHOUT: A hard look at public school funding". December 22, 2017.
  20. ↑ "The Way Wisconsin Funds Schools Must Change".
  21. ↑ "Online Casino Malaysia - FREE SPINS - BEST SLOT MACHINES - 2021". Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved June 8, 2018.
  22. ↑ "Online Casino Malaysia - FREE SPINS - BEST SLOT MACHINES - 2021".
  23. ↑ "Online Casino Malaysia - FREE SPINS - BEST SLOT MACHINES - 2021".
  24. ↑ "Online Casino Malaysia - FREE SPINS - BEST SLOT MACHINES - 2021".
  25. ↑ "Online Casino Malaysia - FREE SPINS - BEST SLOT MACHINES - 2021". Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved June 10, 2018.
  26. 1 2 "Reproductive Rights Record Could Complicate Wisconsin Democrat's Gubernatorial Bid (Updated)". July 19, 2017. Archived from the original on March 9, 2018.
  27. ↑ "Wisconsin state budget (2010-2011)".
  28. ↑ "WOMEN'S HEALTH". Archived from the original on March 12, 2018.
  29. ↑ "Guns in Schools?!? Who Gets NRA Money in Wisconsin". Wisconsin Democracy Campaign. Archived from the original on January 31, 2016. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
  30. ↑ "Rating Group: National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund". Project VoteSmart. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
  31. ↑ "NRA-PVF | Wisconsin". nrapvf.org. NRA-PVF. Archived from the original on November 4, 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  32. ↑ "Some optimism seen for gun reform in Wisconsin". March 3, 2018. Archived from the original on March 4, 2018.
  33. ↑ "Firearms". Archived from the original on April 25, 2018.
  34. ↑ "The Dairy Farmer Who is Taking on Scott Walker". HuffPost . February 9, 2012.
  35. ↑ "Kathleen Vinehout announced she wouldn't run for governor," Milwaukee Sentinel Journal, January 17, 2014
  36. ↑ "Kathleen Vinehout registers committee to run for governor," Wisconsin State Journal , June 29, 2017.
  37. ↑ "Wisconsin Primary Election Results". The New York Times . August 15, 2018. Retrieved August 15, 2018.
  38. ↑ "Canvass Results for 2018 Partisan Primary - 8/14/2018" (PDF). Wisconsin Elections Commission. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 22, 2021. Retrieved February 12, 2019.
  39. ↑ "Canvass Results for 2012 MAY 8 RECALL PRIMARY/ELECTION - 5/8/2012" (PDF). Wisconsin Elections Commission. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 13, 2019. Retrieved February 12, 2019.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.