Joel Kleefisch
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly
from the 38th district
In office
January 3, 2005 – January 7, 2019
Preceded bySteven Foti[1]
Succeeded byBarbara Dittrich
Second Gentleman of Wisconsin
In role
January 3, 2011 – January 7, 2019
GovernorScott Walker
Preceded byCal Lawton
Succeeded byVacant
Personal details
Born (1971-06-08) June 8, 1971
Waukesha, Wisconsin, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseRebecca Reed
Children2
Residence(s)Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, U.S.
EducationPepperdine University (BA)

Joel M. Kleefisch (/ˈkleɪfɪʃ/ KLAY-fish;[2] born June 8, 1971) is a former American politician and a former television reporter who now works as a lobbyist.[3] He served fourteen years in the Wisconsin State Assembly, representing parts of Waukesha, Jefferson, and eastern Dane counties.[4] His wife, Rebecca Kleefisch, is the former Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin.

Early life and education

Born in Waukesha, Wisconsin, Kleefisch graduated from Waukesha North High School in 1989. He earned a Bachelor of Arts from Pepperdine University in 1993.[5]

Career

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.[6] Kleefisch then was hired by WISN-TV to work the assignment desk and as a 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.[7] He won an award for "Best investigative report or series" from the Milwaukee Press Club in 1999 for a piece about date rape drugs.[8]

Kleefisch was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2004, and was re-elected in 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, and 2016.[6] 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.[9]

Kleefisch did not seek re-election in 2018 and was succeeded by Barbara Dittrich.[10]

Personal life

Kleefisch met his wife when she was also a reporter and anchor for WISN. They married in 1999 after she moved to the station from Rockford, Illinois.[11] The couple have two children.

References

  1. ↑ "University of Wisconsin System". www.uwsa.edu. Archived from the original on November 19, 2008.
  2. ↑ "Joel Kleefisch - All American Association of Home Inspectors". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-15. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
  3. ↑ "We KNOW inspections - ATI Academy".
  4. ↑ 'The State of Wisconsin Blue Book 2009-2010. Biographical sketch of Joel Kleefisch, p. 45
  5. ↑ "Joel Kleefisch, Currently Elected State Representative District 38, Wisconsin". Vote-la.org. Retrieved 3 June 2012.
  6. 1 2 "Assembly Member Joel Kleefisch - Biography - Project Vote Smart". Votesmart.org. Retrieved 3 June 2012.
  7. ↑ "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.
  8. ↑ "Contest & Honors presented by The Milwaukee Press Club". Milwaukeepressclub.org. Retrieved 3 June 2012.
  9. ↑ "Wisconsin Legislature: Kleefisch, Rep. Joel M.(38th A.Dist.; Rep.)". Nxt.legis.state.wi.us. Retrieved 3 June 2012.
  10. ↑ Beck, Molly (April 17, 2018). "Joel Kleefisch latest Republican lawmaker to not seek re-election". Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved June 13, 2019.
  11. ↑ "Official site of Governor Tony Evers". Archived from the original on 2011-01-08.
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