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Paul D. Melotik (born February 27, 1957) is an American accountant, businessman, and Republican politician from Ozaukee County, Wisconsin. He is a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly, having won a special election in the 24th Assembly district on July 18, 2023. Melotik also served on the Ozaukee County board of supervisors, representing most of the town of Grafton.

Early life and career

Melotik was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and graduated from Nathan Hale High School in West Allis, Wisconsin. He went on to attend Carroll University, in Waukesha, Wisconsin, where he earned his bachelor's degree in accounting and business management in 1979.

He worked for several years as an accountant for Wisconsin Electric and then went into the bar and restaurant business. He is now co-owner of Flannery's Bar & Restaurant at the Fire Ridge Golf Course in Grafton.

Melotik previously operated another Flannery's Bar location in Milwaukee, which has since closed. During that time he was also president of Water Street Tavern and Restaurant Association.

Melotik made his first run for state office in 2002, when he ran for Wisconsin State Assembly in what was then the 60th Assembly district, but he lost in the Republican primary to Mark Gottlieb.

Melotik remained involved in politics after his loss. He was elected to the Ozaukee County board of supervisors in 2012, and was then elected to the town board of Grafton in 2017.

Political career

By 2023, the Grafton area—due to redistricting—had moved from the 60th Assembly district to the 24th Assembly district. That year, the incumbent state representative, Dan Knodl, was elected to the Wisconsin Senate and therefore vacated his seat in the Assembly. Melotik announced his campaign to succeed Knodl in the 24th Assembly district and did not face any opposition for the Republican nomination. He went on to defeat the Democratic nominee, Bob Tatterson, in the July 2023 special election, winning 53 percent of the vote.

Shortly after winning his seat in the Assembly, Melotik announced he would step down from the Grafton town board but would remain some time longer on the Ozaukee County board, though he also stated he would not seek re-election to the county board and may resign before the end of that term. Describing unfinished business on the county board, Melotik said he wanted to be involved in discussions of how to spend remaining money from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.

Electoral history

Wisconsin Assembly, 60th district (2002)

Wisconsin Assembly, 60th district (2011)

Wisconsin Assembly, 24th district (2023)

Wisconsin Assembly, 22nd district (2024)

References

1. ^ "Paul Melotik - County Board Supervisor". Ozaukee County, Wisconsin. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
2. Karnopp, Hope (June 28, 2023). "A suburban Milwaukee Assembly seat is open. Meet the candidates running to fill it in July". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
3. Bice, Daniel (June 26, 2023). "Bice: Assembly candidate Paul Melotik once helped sponsor contest won by a man in blackface". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
4. Results of Fall Primary Election - 09/10/2002 (Report). Wisconsin State Elections Board. September 24, 2002. p. 52. Retrieved July 19, 2023 – via Wisconsin Historical Society.
5. ^ Curtis, Lisa. "Melotik to resign Grafton Town Board seat". Ozaukee County News Graphic. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
6. Karnopp, Hope (July 18, 2023). "Republican Melotik defeats Tatterson in special election for Assembly seat". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved July 18, 2023 – via MSN.
7. "Live Results: Wisconsin State Assembly District 24 Special Election". 270ToWin. July 18, 2023. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
8. Results of Fall Primary Election - 09/10/2002 (Report). Wisconsin State Elections Board. September 24, 2002. p. 52. Retrieved January 20, 2024 – via Wisconsin Historical Society.
9. Canvass Results for 2011 Spring Election - 4/5/2011 (Report). Wisconsin Government Accountability Board. April 19, 2011. pp. 9–10. Retrieved April 11, 2024 – via Wisconsin Historical Society.
10. 7/18/2023 Special Election State Assembly District 24 (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Elections Commission. August 1, 2023. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
11. County by County Report - 2024 General Election (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Elections Commission. November 27, 2024. p. 22. Retrieved December 1, 2024.

• Living people
• 1957 births
• Carroll University alumni
• Politicians from Milwaukee
• People from Grafton, Wisconsin
• Republican Party members of the Wisconsin State Assembly
• American accountants
• 21st-century members of the Wisconsin Legislature