Neal Kedzie

Last updated
Kerrie A. Adams
​
(m. 1979)​
Neal Kedzie
Sen. Kedzie (3523227720) (3x4).jpg
Kedzie in 2009
Member of the Wisconsin Senate
from the 11th district
In office
January 6, 2003 –June 16, 2014
Children3
Residence Elkhorn, Wisconsin
Education University of Wisconsin–Whitewater
OccupationLobbyist, politician

Neal J. Kedzie (born January 27, 1956) is an American lobbyist and Republican politician from Walworth County, Wisconsin. He served 11 years in the Wisconsin Senate, representing the 11th Senate district from 2003 until his sudden retirement in June 2014. He previously served six years in the Wisconsin State Assembly, and was chairman of the board of supervisors of the town of La Grange for ten years. Since leaving office, he has worked as a lobbyist for the Wisconsin trucking industry as president of the Wisconsin Motor Carriers Association. [1]

Contents

Early life and education

Neal Kedzie was born in Waukesha, Wisconsin. As a child, he moved with his family to Oak Creek, Wisconsin; he graduated from Oak Creek High School in 1974. He went on to attend the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater, where he earned his bachelor's degree in 1978. [2] After college, Kedzie remained in Walworth County, Wisconsin, settling in Elkhorn. [3]

He worked for the next decade as facilities manager for the Girl Scouts of Racine County. [3] In 1987, he was hired by Wisconsin Southern Gas Company as commercial and industrial coorinator in the marketing department. Six years later, he became government relations representative for Wisconsin Electric Power Company. [4]

Political career

In 1987, Kedzie first entered public office when he was elected to the town board of supervisors of La Grange, Wisconsin. He was chosen as chairman of the board the next year, and remained in that role until he left the board in 1998. During these years, he was also a member of the Lauderdale–La Grange Volunteer Fire Department. [2]

In 1996, incumbent state representative Charles Coleman announced he would not run for re-election. Kedzie chose to enter the race for the Republican Party nomination to succeed Coleman in the Wisconsin State Assembly. He faced two opponents in the primary, Herbert Erickson, then the village president of Williams Bay, Wisconsin, and Wayne K. Weiser, an ambassador of the Delavan Chamber of Commerce. Kedzie ran on his experience in local government and his business career, winning the primary with 47% of the vote. [5] [6] He easily prevailed in the general election in the heavily Republican district. [6] He went on to win re-election twice, in 1998 and 2000. [7] [8]

Shortly after his inauguration in the Assembly, Kedzie joined the Wisconsin Civil Air Patrol with the Wisconsin Legislative Squadron made up of pilot hobbyists in the Wisconsin Legislature. [9] By 2002, he held the rank of major in the organization.

In 2002, Wisconsin's legislature was redistricted by court order after they failed to pass redistricting legislation. Under the new map, Joanne Huelsman, the incumbent senator in Wisconsin's 11th Senate district, was drawn out of that district, creating a vacancy. Kedzie was also negatively impacted by redistricting in his Assembly district, drawn into a new district with another Republican incumbent. As a result of the issues, Huelsman chose to retire, and Kedzie ran for her state senate seat rather than facing a primary against another incumbent state representative. [10] Kedzie still faced another competitive Republican primary against former Delafield mayor Jim Behrend and newcomer Jack Riley. Kedzie, however, had a significant advantage in campaign funds and name recognition, and went on to win 57% of the primary vote. [11] [12] In the heavily Republican district, Kedzie faced another easy general election, taking 69% of the vote. [13] He would go on to win two more terms in that district, in 2006 and 2010. [14] [15]

On May 6, 2014, Kedzie announced that he would not run for reelection; however, on June 16, 2014 he announced that he was resigning effective immediately rather than serving out his term, to accept new employment. [16] On July 1, 2014, he became the president of the Wisconsin Motor Carriers Association. [17]

Personal life and family

Neal Kedzie's parents were Alex and Arlene Kedzie. [3]

Neal Kedzie married Kerrie A. Adams, of Milwaukee, on March 10, 1979, at the Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception in Milwaukee. [3] They have three adult children and still reside in Elkhorn.

Electoral history

Wisconsin Assembly (1996, 1998, 2000)

YearElectionDateElectedDefeatedTotalPlurality
1996Primary [6] Sep. 10Neal J. Kedzie Republican 1,96547.25%Herbert E. Erickson Rep. 1,61738.88%4,159348
Wayne K. Weiser Rep. 57713.87%
General [6] Nov. 5Neal J. Kedzie Republican 13,25161.71%Charles Kelly Dem. 7,35034.23%21,4745,901
Edward J. Kozak Lib. 8734.07%
1998General [7] Nov. 3Neal J. Kedzie (inc) Republican 11,11964.19%Ryan J. Schroeder Dem. 6,20335.81%17,3224,916
2000General [8] Nov. 7Neal J. Kedzie (inc) Republican 17,57868.36%Ryan J. Schroeder Dem. 8,12631.60%25,7129,452

Wisconsin Senate (2002, 2006, 2010)

YearElectionDateElectedDefeatedTotalPlurality
2002Primary [12] Sep. 9Neal J. Kedzie Republican 5,53456.70%Jim Behrend Rep. 2,70227.68%25,7129,452
Jack Riley Rep. 1,51815.55%
General [13] Nov. 5Neal J. Kedzie Republican 36,60369.10%Scott Woods Dem. 16,32930.83%52,96820,274
2006General [14] Nov. 7Neal J. Kedzie (inc) Republican 45,64367.40%Scott Woods Dem. 22,03832.54%67,71623,605
2010General [15] Nov. 2Neal J. Kedzie (inc) Republican 55,12175.37%L. D. Rockwell Dem. 17,95524.55%73,13737,166

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robert Cowles</span> American politician

Robert Lewis Cowles III is an American Republican politician from Green Bay, Wisconsin. He is a member of the Wisconsin Senate, representing Wisconsin's 2nd Senate district since 1987. He is the longest currently-serving member of the Wisconsin Senate, having served for 37 years. He previously served four years in the Wisconsin State Assembly (1983–1987).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tim Carpenter</span> American politician (born 1960)

Timothy W. Carpenter is an American Democratic politician from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He has been a member of the Wisconsin Senate for more than 20 years, representing the Wisconsin's 3rd Senate district since 2003. His district comprises much of the south side of the city of Milwaukee. He previously served 18 years in the Wisconsin State Assembly (1985–2003).

John G. Gard is an American lobbyist and former politician. A Republican, he was the 75th Speaker of the Wisconsin State Assembly (2003–2007) and was a member of the Assembly for 19 years. Gard also ran unsuccessfully for United States House of Representatives in Wisconsin's 8th congressional district in 2006 and 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peggy Krusick</span> American politician

Margaret Ann "Peggy" Krusick is a retired American Democratic politician from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She was a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly for nearly thirty years (1983–2013), representing southwest wards of the city of Milwaukee and neighboring areas. She lost her seat to a primary challenge from Daniel Riemer in the 2012 assembly elections due to her stances on certain issues.

Kitty Rhoades was an American politician. She served as a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly, where she represented the 30th district, before serving as Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.

Michael Gruper Ellis was an American farmer and Republican politician from Neenah, Wisconsin. He served 44 years in the Wisconsin Legislature, including 12 years in the Wisconsin State Assembly (1971–1983) and 32 years in the Wisconsin Senate (1983–2015). He was Republican floor leader in the Senate from 1989 to 2000, and was President of the Wisconsin Senate for most of the 2011–2012 term and all of the 2013–2014 term.

Robert L. Turner is an American public administrator and Democratic politician from Racine, Wisconsin. He represented the city of Racine for eleven terms in the Wisconsin State Assembly, from 1991 to 2013. Since 2018, he has been a member of the Racine Police and Fire Commission. Turner was the first African American elected to Wisconsin's Assembly not from Milwaukee.

David A. Cullen is an American lawyer and Democratic politician from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He is the current treasurer of Milwaukee County. Prior to his election as treasurer in 2014, he served 13 years as a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly (1990–2013), two years on the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors (2012–2014), and 7 years on the Milwaukee Public Schools Board of Education (1983–1990).

Scott Lee Gunderson is an American farmer, Republican politician, and former small business owner from Racine County, Wisconsin. He was a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly for 16 years, representing the 83rd Assembly district from 1995 to 2011. He left office to accept a job in the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Since leaving state office, he has been active locally, running Waterford's Fourth of July and Memorial Day parades, and the Racine County Fair.

Brian David Rude is a retired American businessman, lobbyist, and Republican politician from Vernon County, Wisconsin. He was a member of the Wisconsin Senate for 16 years and served as president of the Senate for most of the 1993–1994 and 1995–1996 terms, and part of the 1997–1998 term. He also served a year in the Wisconsin State Assembly. After leaving government, he worked as a lobbyist for 20 years for Dairyland Power Cooperative.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charles Chvala</span> American politician

Charles Joseph "Chuck" Chvala is an American real estate dealer, lawyer, and former politician. He served 20 years in the Wisconsin State Senate, representing Dane County, and was the Democratic caucus leader from 1995 through 2002. His political career was ended by a 2002 scandal which found he and other lawmakers had illegally utilized state employees for campaign work.

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

Bradley M. Pfaff is an American agriculture policy administrator and Democratic politician from La Crosse County, Wisconsin. He is a member of the Wisconsin Senate, representing Wisconsin's 32nd Senate district since 2021. He was an unsuccessful candidate for United States House of Representatives in 2022.

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

Daniel Raymond Knodl is an American Republican politician from Washington County, Wisconsin. He is a member of the Wisconsin Senate, having won a 2023 special election to represent the 8th State Senate district. He previously served 14 years in the Wisconsin State Assembly, representing the 24th Assembly district.

Dean R. Kaufert is an American business owner and Republican politician from Neenah, Wisconsin. He was mayor of Neenah from 2014 to 2022, and represented the area for 14 years in the Wisconsin State Assembly, from 1991 to 2015. He is running to return to the state Assembly in the 2024 election, in the new 53rd Assembly district.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">97th Wisconsin Legislature</span> Wisconsin legislative term for 2005-2006

The Ninety-Seventh Wisconsin Legislature convened from January 3, 2005, to January 3, 2007, in regular session, and held two concurrent special sessions in January 2005 and February 2006, and two extraordinary sessions in July 2005 and April 2006.

Sherburn Duane "Duey" Stroebel Jr. is an American realtor and Republican politician from Cedarburg, Wisconsin. He is a member of the Wisconsin Senate, representing the 20th Senate district since 2015. He previously served two terms in the Wisconsin State Assembly, from 2011 to 2015. After the latest redistricting plan, Stroebel was drawn out of his previous Senate district and lost re-election running in Wisconsin's 8th Senate district in 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kevin Shibilski</span> American politician (born 1961)

Kevin Shibilski is an American businessman and former Democratic politician from Wisconsin. He served 8 years in the Wisconsin Senate (1995–2003) and served briefly as secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Tourism (2003) under governor Jim Doyle. He also served as register of deeds for Portage County, Wisconsin, and served on the county board of supervisors. In 2022, he pleaded guilty to a number of federal tax crimes arising from his ownership of a waste-recycling business, and was sentenced to 33 months in prison.

Donald William Hasenohrl was an American politician and union steelworker. He was a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly for 26 years, representing his hometown, Marshfield, Wisconsin, and surrounding areas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Donna Rozar</span> American politician

Donna Mummau Rozar is an American politician, businesswoman, and nurse. A Republican, she represents the 69th district of the Wisconsin State Assembly. The 69th assembly district comprises most of the city of Marshfield, along with rural eastern Clark County, northwest Wood County, and southwest Marathon County. She was elected in the 2020 general election. Rozar is also a member of the Wood County Board of Supervisors, serving since 2000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wisconsin's 61st Assembly district</span> American legislative district in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin

The 61st Assembly district of Wisconsin is one of 99 districts in the Wisconsin State Assembly. Located in southeastern Wisconsin, the district comprises part of southwest Milwaukee County, including the villages of Greendale and Hales Corners, most of the city of Greenfield, and parts of southwest Milwaukee and northeast Franklin. The district is represented by Republican Amanda Nedweski, since January 2023. After the 2024 redistricting, Nedweski no longer resides in the new 61st district.

References

  1. ↑ "WMCA Staff". Wisconsin Motor Carriers Association. Retrieved February 4, 2024.
  2. 1 2 Barish, Lawrence S.; Lemanski, Lynn, eds. (2011). "Biographies" (PDF). State of Wisconsin 2011–2012 Blue Book (Report). Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. p. 40. ISBN   978-0-9752820-1-4 . Retrieved February 4, 2024.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Adams-Kedzie". Wisconsin State Journal . March 11, 1979. p. 79. Retrieved February 4, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  4. ↑ "New transmission line to improve electric service in towns of Lomira, Auburn". The Reporter. October 5, 1995. p. 10. Retrieved February 4, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  5. ↑ "Kedzie Running for State Assembly Seat". Lake Geneva Regional News. June 20, 1996. p. 13. Retrieved February 4, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Barish, Lawrence S.; Meloy, Patricia E., eds. (1997). "Elections in Wisconsin". State of Wisconsin 1997–1998 Blue Book (Report). Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. pp.  900, 904 . Retrieved February 4, 2024.
  7. 1 2 Barish, Lawrence S.; Meloy, Patricia E., eds. (1999). "Elections in Wisconsin". State of Wisconsin 1999–2000 Blue Book (Report). Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. pp.  880, 883 . Retrieved February 4, 2024.
  8. 1 2 Results of Fall General Election - 11/07/2000 (Report). Wisconsin State Elections Board. May 10, 2001. p. 24. Retrieved February 4, 2024– via Wisconsin Historical Society.
  9. ↑ "Kedzie Joins Civil Air Patrol". Lake Geneva Regional News. September 4, 1997. p. 14. Retrieved February 4, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  10. ↑ Weier, Anita (May 29, 2002). "Sen. Huelsman to retire". The Capital Times . p. 7. Retrieved February 4, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  11. ↑ "Assemblyman, ex-mayor and an engineer in GOP primary". Wisconsin State Journal . August 30, 2002. p. 25. Retrieved February 4, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  12. 1 2 Results of Fall Primary Election - 09/10/2002 (Report). Wisconsin State Elections Board. September 24, 2002. p. 16. Retrieved February 4, 2024– via Wisconsin Historical Society.
  13. 1 2 Results of Fall General Election - 11/05/2002 (Report). Wisconsin State Elections Board. December 2, 2002. p. 8. Retrieved February 4, 2024– via Wisconsin Historical Society.
  14. 1 2 Results of Fall General Election - 11/07/2006 (Report). Wisconsin State Elections Board. December 11, 2006. p. 8. Retrieved February 4, 2024– via Wisconsin Historical Society.
  15. 1 2 Results of Fall General Election - 11/02/2010 (Report). Wisconsin Government Accountability Board. December 1, 2010. p. 6. Retrieved February 4, 2024– via Wisconsin Historical Society.
  16. ↑ "Kedzie quits early to seek unknown job". Kenosha News . June 17, 2014. p. 3. Retrieved February 4, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  17. ↑ "Kedzie to lead truckers group". Kenosha News . June 25, 2014. p. 5. Retrieved February 4, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
Wisconsin State Assembly
Preceded byMember of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the 43rd district
January 6, 1997 –January 6, 2003		Succeeded by
Wisconsin Senate
Preceded byMember of the Wisconsin Senate from the 11th district
January 6, 2003 –June 16, 2014		Succeeded by
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.