Joel Kleefisch | |
---|---|
Kleefisch in 2008 | |
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the 38th district | |
In office January 3, 2005 – January 7, 2019 | |
Preceded by | Steven Foti |
Succeeded by | Barbara Dittrich |
Second Gentleman of Wisconsin | |
In role January 3, 2011 – January 7, 2019 | |
Governor | Scott Walker |
Preceded by | Cal Lawton |
Succeeded by | Vacant |
Personal details | |
Born | (1971-06-08) June 8, 1971 (age 53) Waukesha, Wisconsin, U.S. |
Political party | Republican |
Spouse | Rebecca Reed |
Children | 2 |
Residence(s) | Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, U.S. |
Education | Pepperdine University (BA) |
Joel M. Kleefisch (/ˈkleɪfɪʃ/ KLAY-fish; born June 8, 1971) is a former American politician and a former television reporter who now works as a lobbyist. He served fourteen years in the Wisconsin State Assembly, representing parts of Waukesha, Jefferson, and eastern Dane counties. His wife, Rebecca Kleefisch, was the 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.
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. 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. He won an award for "Best investigative report or series" from the Milwaukee Press Club in 1999 for a piece about date rape drugs.
Kleefisch was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2004, and was re-elected in 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, and 2016. 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.
Kleefisch did not seek re-election in 2018 and was succeeded by Barbara Dittrich.
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. The couple have two children.
References
- "University of Wisconsin System". www.uwsa.edu. Archived from the original on November 19, 2008.
- "Joel Kleefisch - All American Association of Home Inspectors". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-15. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
- "We KNOW inspections - ATI Academy".
- 'The State of Wisconsin Blue Book 2009-2010. Biographical sketch of Joel Kleefisch, p. 45
- "Joel Kleefisch, Currently Elected State Representative District 38, Wisconsin". Vote-la.org. Retrieved 3 June 2012.
- ^ "Assembly Member Joel Kleefisch - Biography - Project Vote Smart". Votesmart.org. Retrieved 3 June 2012.
- "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.
- "Contest & Honors presented by The Milwaukee Press Club". Milwaukeepressclub.org. Retrieved 3 June 2012.
- "Wisconsin Legislature: Kleefisch, Rep. Joel M.(38th A.Dist.; Rep.)". Nxt.legis.state.wi.us. Retrieved 3 June 2012.
- Beck, Molly (April 17, 2018). "Joel Kleefisch latest Republican lawmaker to not seek re-election". Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved June 13, 2019.
- "Official site of Governor Tony Evers". Archived from the original on 2011-01-08.
External links
Categories:- 1971 births
- Living people
- Journalists from Wisconsin
- Republican Party members of the Wisconsin State Assembly
- People from Oconomowoc, Wisconsin
- Politicians from Waukesha, Wisconsin
- American evangelicals
- Pepperdine University alumni
- American television reporters and correspondents
- 21st-century members of the Wisconsin Legislature