Joseph E. Tregoning
Acting Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
In office
August 1, 1997 – November 2, 1997
GovernorTommy Thompson
Preceded byAlan Tracy
Succeeded byBen Brancel
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly
In office
January 7, 1985 – May 28, 1990
Preceded byPatricia Spafford Smith
Succeeded byStephen Freese
Constituency51st Assembly district
In office
January 3, 1983 – January 7, 1985
Preceded byHarland E. Everson
Succeeded byMargaret S. Lewis
Constituency38th Assembly district
In office
January 1, 1973 – January 3, 1983
Preceded byDistrict created
Succeeded byPatricia Spafford Smith
Constituency51st Assembly district
In office
April 10, 1967 – January 1, 1973
Preceded byG. Fred Galli
Succeeded byDistrict abolished
ConstituencyGreen–Lafayette district
Personal details
Born(1941-04-26)April 26, 1941
Dubuque, Iowa, U.S.
DiedOctober 10, 2019(2019-10-10) (aged 78)
Madison, Wisconsin, U.S.
Resting placeEvergreen Cemetery, Shullsburg, Wisconsin
Political partyRepublican
Spouse
Jeanne M. Brunette
​
​
(m. 1971; died 2016)​
ChildrenJoshua Tregoning
OccupationFarmer

Joseph E. Tregoning (May 26, 1941 – October 10, 2019) was an American dairy farmer, businessman, and Republican politician from Shullsburg, Wisconsin. He served 23 years in the Wisconsin State Assembly, from 1967 to 1990. He subsequently served as deputy secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection under governor Tommy Thompson, and was acting secretary in late 1997.

Biography

Joseph Tregoning was born on May 26, 1941, in Dubuque, Iowa.[1] He was raised and educated in Shullsburg, Wisconsin, where his father owned a farm. He graduated from Shullsburg High School.[2]

Political career

Joe became active locally in the Republican Party of Wisconsin, and from 1964 to 1967 he served as chairman of the Lafayette County Republican Party.[2]

In 1966, Tregoning made his first bid for Wisconsin State Assembly, launching a primary challenge against incumbent state representative G. Fred Galli in the Green–Lafayette district. Galli was just completing his first term in the Assembly, and was facing a challenge from both Tregoning, who was then-chair of the Lafayette County Republican Party, and from Madeline Stauffacher, who was then-chair of the Green County Republican Party. In the three-way primary, Galli prevailed, receiving 52% to Tregoning's 26% of the vote.[3]

However, just after the start of 1967 legislative term, Galli died of a sudden heart attack.[4] Tregoning decided to run again in the special election to succeed him and serve out the remainder of his term in the 78th Wisconsin Legislature. Tregoning again faced two opponents in the Republican primary, and prevailed narrowly over Monroe businessman Robert E. Tschudy.[5] He easily prevailed in the April special election, defeating Democratic dairy farmer Thomas W. McCarthy.[6] He easily won election to a full term in 1968, and was re-election in 1970 in the then-heavily Republican district.[7][8]

The 1971 legislative term saw the passage of a major redistricting law. Districts were given a formal numbering, and Tregoning's district was made the 51st Assembly district. The boundaries of the district only slightly changed, removing some areas of northeastern Lafayette and northwestern Green counties and adding some territory of western Rock County.[9] The district remained significantly Republican, and Tregoning easily won re-election in 1972 and 1974.[10][11]

Just after the 1974 election, Tregoning suffered a severe injury while working on his farm. A piece of his clothing became stuck in a powerer post hole digger. His left arm was severed, his right arm, left shoulder, left leg, and several ribs were broken, and he received a concussion.[12] After a long hospitalization and moths of recovery, he returned to the State Capitol for the first time in April 1975.[13][14]

After his accident, Tregoning won three more terms in that Assembly district.[15][16][17] In 1982, the Wisconsin legislature underwent another drastic redistricting by court-order. This time, Tregoning's district was significantly effected. The court plan placed his native Lafayette County in the 38th Assembly district; Green and Rock counties were removed entirely, replaced by Iowa County and parts of southern Sauk County. The 1982 election was the closest of Tregoning's career, as he received only 52% of the vote.[18] It was his only election in the 38th Assembly district, as a 1983 act of the legislature superseded the court-ordered district plan. The 1983 act restored his previous district number—51—but made only slight changes to the district boundaries from the 1982 plan, removing the areas of Sauk County and adding areas of southeast Grant County.[19]

Tregoning went on to win the 1984 election under the new 51st Assembly district.[20] In 1986, he faced his first primary challenge since winning office in 1967. His challenger was 26 year old Hazel Green farmer Stephen Freese, who charged that Tregoning, after 19 years in office, had lost touch with his district. Freese ran hard, knocking on 10,000 doors in the district, but fell 326 votes short in the primary.[21] Tregoning went on to win the 1986 general election and one more term in 1988.[22][23] Freese would ultimately succeed Tregoning.

Department of Agriculture

In 1990, Wisconsin agriculture secretary Howard C. Richards announced his plan to retire and Tregoning decided to seek the office. At that time, the secretary was selected by a board of commissioners, not directly appointed by the governor. Tregoning was one of three finalists, along with former Republican legislator James Harsdorf and Alan Tracy, a close aide of the outgoing secretary.[24] The board ultimately selected Alan Tracy as the next secretary, but immediately after his appointment, Tracy hired Tregoning as his executive assistant.[25]

Tracy and Tregoning served together for over 7 years, and during that time the governor was given authority to directly appoint the secretary. When that change occurred, in 1995, then-governor Tommy Thompson considered replacing Tracy with a political appointee, but deferred. In 1996 and 1997, Tracy and his then-deputy, Elizabeth Kohl, were accused of mismanagement and harassment. The accusations culminated in both of their resignations in June of that year. Tregoning took over as acting secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, and served in that capacity until Governor Thompson appointed a successor in November. The new secretary, Ben Brancel, chose to keep Tregoning on as deputy secretary.[26]

Tregoning lost his title in 2001, when Tommy Thompson was replaced as governor by Scott McCallum. McCallum appointed his own secretary and deputy secretary, but allowed Tregoning to remain on as an employee of the department. Nevertheless, Tregoning's ouster was met with bipartisan disappointment in the state capitol.[27] Tregoning accepted the demotion to assistant to new secretary James Harsdorf and was later assigned administrator of the division of agricultural development. He remained in that role until his retirement in 2003.[28]

Personal life and family

Joe Tregoning married Jeanne M. Brunette in 1971. They met when Jeanne was assigned as to his legislative office as a secretary during his first legislative term. Jeanne was a Democrat and the granddaughter of state legislator E. F. Brunette. After working in Joe's office during the 1967 session, Jeanne was hired as a staffer on the Kellett Commission on reorganization of state government.[13]

Jeanne and Joe Tregoning had one son together before Jeanne was paralyzed in an automobile accident in 1972. Joe spent the next 44 years as her primary caregiver, even after his own serious accident in 1974.[1]

Outside of politics, Tregoning was active in the Full Gospel Business Men's Fellowship International and Freemasonry.[2] After leaving the Department of Agriculture, Tregoning largely stayed out of public affairs, but did weigh in occassionally to support candidates, including his friend former governor Tommy Thompson in his 2012 U.S. Senate campaign.

Jeanne Tregoning died in 2016; Joe died on October 10, 2019. He was survived by his son and three grandchildren.[1]

Electoral history

Wisconsin Assembly, Green–Lafayette district (1966, 1967, 1968, 1970)

Year Election Date Elected Defeated Total Plurality
1966[3] Primary Sep. 13 G. Fred Galli (inc) Republican 4,145 52.52% Joseph E. Tregoning Rep. 2,073 26.27% 7,892 2,072
Madeline Stauffacher Rep. 1,674 21.21%
1967
Special		 Special
Primary[5]		 Mar. 7 Joseph E. Tregoning Republican 2,082 45.38% Robert E. Tschudy Rep. 1,823 39.73% 4,588 259
Madeline Stauffacher Rep. 683 14.89%
Special[6] Apr. 4 Joseph E. Tregoning Republican 6,848 77.45% Thomas W. McCarthy Dem. 1,994 22.55% 8,842 4,854
1968[7] General Nov. 5 Joseph E. Tregoning (inc) Republican 12,025 69.89% Cecil McWilliams Dem. 5,180 30.11% 17,205 6,845
1970[8] General Nov. 3 Joseph E. Tregoning (inc) Republican 8,875 67.52% Kenneth E. Nyland Dem. 4,270 32.48% 13,145 4,605

Wisconsin Assembly, 51st district (1972–1980)

Year Election Date Elected Defeated Total Plurality
1972[10] General Nov. 7 Joseph E. Tregoning Republican 12,507 70.75% Theodore C. Weiss Dem. 5,171 29.25% 17,678 7,336
1974[11] General Nov. 5 Joseph E. Tregoning (inc) Republican 8,595 64.17% Donald M. Stauffacher Dem. 4,800 35.83% 13,395 3,795
1976[15] General Nov. 2 Joseph E. Tregoning (inc) Republican 13,961 68.96% Barbara A. Bogden Dem. 6,284 31.04% 20,245 7,677
1976[16] General Nov. 7 Joseph E. Tregoning (inc) Republican 11,294 100.0% 11,294 11,294
1980[17] General Nov. 4 Joseph E. Tregoning (inc) Republican 14,833 68.78% Terry McDonald Dem. 6,733 31.22% 21,566 8,100

Wisconsin Assembly, 38th district (1982)

Year Election Date Elected Defeated Total Plurality
1982[18] General Nov. 2 Joseph E. Tregoning Republican 8,348 52.12% Terry McDonald Dem. 7,524 46.98% 21,566 8,100
James Garrett Coffer Lib. 145 0.91%

Wisconsin Assembly, 51st district (1984, 1986, 1988)

Year Election Date Elected Defeated Total Plurality
1984[20] General Nov. 6 Joseph E. Tregoning Republican 11,799 61.49% Peter G. Lewis Dem. 7,389 38.51% 19,188 4,410
1986[22] Primary Sep. 9 Joseph E. Tregoning (inc) Republican 2,751 53.49% Stephen Freese Rep. 2,392 46.51% 5,143 359
General Nov. 4 Joseph E. Tregoning (inc) Republican 7,458 55.95% Peter G. Lewis Dem. 5,872 44.05% 13,330 1,586
1988[20] General Nov. 8 Joseph E. Tregoning (inc) Republican 10,384 54.39% Peter G. Lewis Dem. 8,707 45.61% 19,091 1,677

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Tregoning, Joseph E. "Joe"". Wisconsin State Journal. October 13, 2019. p. C3. Retrieved December 5, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. 1 2 3 "Tregoning, Joseph E. 1941". Wisconsin Historical Society. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  3. 1 2 Theobald, H. Rupert; Robbins, Patricia V., eds. (1968). "Elections in Wisconsin". State of Wisconsin 1968 Blue Book (Report). Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. p. 713.
  4. ↑ "Election Will Fill Assembly Vacancy". Wisconsin State Journal. January 14, 1967. p. 23. Retrieved December 5, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. 1 2 "GOP Primary Contest Won by Tregoning". Wisconsin State Journal. March 8, 1967. p. 10. Retrieved December 5, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. 1 2 "Tregoning Wins Race for Assembly". Wisconsin State Journal. April 5, 1967. p. 1. Retrieved December 5, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. 1 2 Theobald, H. Rupert; Robbins, Patricia V., eds. (1970). "Elections in Wisconsin". The State of Wisconsin 1970 Blue Book (Report). Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. pp. 804, 818. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
  8. 1 2 Theobald, H. Rupert; Robbins, Patricia V., eds. (1971). "Elections in Wisconsin". The State of Wisconsin 1971 Blue Book (Report). Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. pp. 302, 319. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
  9. ↑ "An Act ... relating to districting the senate and assembly based on the number of inhabitants shown by the certified results of the 1970 census of population". Act No. 304 of 1971 (PDF). Wisconsin Legislature. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
  10. 1 2 Theobald, H. Rupert; Robbins, Patricia V., eds. (1973). "Elections in Wisconsin". The State of Wisconsin 1973 Blue Book (Report). Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. pp. 808, 827. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
  11. 1 2 Theobald, H. Rupert; Robbins, Patricia V., eds. (1975). "Elections in Wisconsin". The State of Wisconsin Blue Book 1975 (Report). pp. 808, 830. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
  12. ↑ "Rep. Tregoning 'Still Critical'". Wisconsin State Journal. December 1, 1974. p. 2. Retrieved December 5, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. 1 2 Walter, Tony (January 27, 1975). "Legislator, Wife Snub Limits of Handicapped". Green Bay Press-Gazette. p. 10. Retrieved December 5, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ↑ Berman, Lisa C. (April 5, 1975). "Tregoning 'Grateful' to be Back at Work". Wisconsin State Journal. p. 18. Retrieved December 5, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. 1 2 Theobald, H. Rupert; Robbins, Patricia V., eds. (1977). "Elections in Wisconsin". The State of Wisconsin Blue Book 1977 (Report). Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. pp. 893, 915. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
  16. 1 2 Theobald, H. Rupert; Robbins, Patricia V., eds. (1979). "Elections in Wisconsin". The State of Wisconsin Blue Book 1979–1980 (Report). Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. pp. 907, 925. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
  17. 1 2 Theobald, H. Rupert; Robbins, Patricia V., eds. (1981). "Elections in Wisconsin". The State of Wisconsin Blue Book 1981–1982 (Report). Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. pp. 895, 916. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
  18. 1 2 Theobald, H. Rupert; Robbins, Patricia V., eds. (1983). "Elections in Wisconsin". State of Wisconsin Blue Book 1983–1984 (Report). Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. pp. 889, 911. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
  19. ↑ "An Act ... relating to redistricting the senate and assembly based on the 1980 federal census of population and making miscellaneous changes in the statutes pertaining to decennial legislative redistricting". Act No. 29 of 1983 (PDF). Wisconsin Legislature. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
  20. 1 2 3 Theobald, H. Rupert; Robbins, Patricia V., eds. (1985). "Elections in Wisconsin". State of Wisconsin Blue Book 1985–1986 (Report). Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. pp. 908, 926. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
  21. ↑ Ambelang, Jerry (September 10, 1986). "Deininger upsets Manske in 47th District race". The Capital Times. p. 7. Retrieved December 5, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  22. 1 2 Theobald, H. Rupert; Barish, Lawrence S., eds. (1987). "Elections in Wisconsin". State of Wisconsin Blue Book 1987–1988 (Report). Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. pp. 889, 908. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
  23. ↑ Theobald, H. Rupert; Barish, Lawrence S., eds. (1989). "Elections in Wisconsin". State of Wisconsin Blue Book 1989–1990 (Report). Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. pp. 911, 926. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
  24. ↑ "Three emerge as contenders for top ag job". The Capital Times. March 23, 1990. p. 18. Retrieved December 5, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  25. ↑ Flaherty, Mike (April 21, 1990). "Tracy hires Tregoning as assistant". Wisconsin State Journal. p. 14. Retrieved December 5, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  26. ↑ Flaherty, Mike (October 8, 1997). "Brancel chosen to head state ag division". Wisconsin State Journal. p. 1. Retrieved December 5, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  27. ↑ Pommer, Matt (April 9, 2001). "Tregonings keep perspective on life". The Capital Times. p. 3. Retrieved December 5, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  28. ↑ Carpenter, Jeanne (February 19, 2003). "Tregoning leaving Wisconsin politics after 36 years". The Country Today. p. 1. Retrieved December 5, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
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