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|district =] |district =]
| term_start = January 1991 | term_start = January 1991
| term_end = June 1996 | term_end = June 14, 1996
| predecessor = | predecessor = ]
| successor = ] | successor = ]
| prior_term =


| birth_date ={{birth date and age|1949|11|6}} | birth_date ={{birth date and age|1949|11|6}}
| birth_place =] | birth_place =], U.S.
|party = ]
|spouse = Nancy
|children = 3
|alma_mater =]
}} }}


'''George Petak''' (born November 6, 1949) is an ] ] politician and political consultant who was the first ] ] to be removed from office in a ].<ref name="recall-recap">{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/06/09/us/political-briefing-states-issues-wisconsin-recall-alters-balance-power.html |title= Political Briefing: The States and the Issues;Wisconsin: Recall Alters Balance of Power |publisher= The New York Times|author= Robin Toner|date= 1996-06-09|accessdate= 2019-02-15}}</ref>
'''George Petak''' (born November 6, 1949) is a Republican Wisconsin politician. Born in ], Petak graduated from ]. He moved to ], where he was a quality control manager. Petak was elected to the Racine School Board. In 1990, he was elected to the ].<ref>http://wisconsinhistory.org/dictionary/index.asp?action=view&term_id=2506&search_term=petak</ref> In 1995, Petak, changed his vote on a controversial funding bill for the ] stadium. He promised to vote against the bill, was persuaded that the Brewers would move out of town without a new park, then changed his mind.<ref name=FreeForAll>{{cite web|last=Walters|first=Steve|title=Wisconsin's Recall Free-For-All|url=http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?&id=GALE%7CA263992330&v=2.1&u=lom_lansingcc&it=r&p=AONE&sw=w|publisher=State Legislatures|accessdate=3 October 2011}}</ref> Petak's deciding vote supported a 0.1 percent sales tax increase.<ref>{{cite web|last=Madison|title=Petak Recall Counter to History|url=http://www.journaltimes.com/news/local/article_295f718a-2208-5ee9-a2a8-d55ca2ae6231.html?mode=story|publisher=JournalTimes.com|accessdate=4 October 2011}}</ref> Nine months later, Petak lost a recall election to ] ].<ref>http://www.derekmiller.us/baseball/miller.shtml</ref><ref>http://legis.state.wi.us/LRB/gw/gw_13.pdf</ref> This resulted in Petak becoming the first Wisconsin legislator to be successfully recalled from office.<ref name=FreeForAll/><ref>{{cite web|last=Jones|first=Stephanie|title=Recalled Sen. Petak's Advice to Recall Candidates: "Take nothing for granted"|url=http://www.journaltimes.com/news/local/article_8a8fd668-c211-11e0-b8e6-001cc4c03286.html|publisher=JournalTimes.com|accessdate=4 October 2011}}</ref> In 2009, Petak opened a consulting business in ].<ref>http://news.racinepost.com/2009/03/former-sen-george-petak-opens.html</ref>

== Early Life and Education ==
Born in ], Petak graduated from ]. He was hired by ]'s Lamb Electric division in 1973 and worked in several administrative positions. In 1976, he moved to ] to take on the role of quality control manager at an Ametek manufacturing plant in neighboring ].<ref name="PetakWHEDA">{{cite web|url=https://journaltimes.com/news/local/petak-is-confident-of-ability-to-do-job/article_d599f48f-c17a-5bce-ae27-69ad17d80ef8.html|title= Petak is confident of ability to do job |publisher=]|first=Joseph |last=Scolaro |date=1996-07-06|accessdate= 2019-02-15}}</ref>

== Political Career ==
In 1983 Petak was elected to the ]. He was re-elected in 1986 and 1989.

In 1990, he was elected to the ], defeating the incumbent Senate Majority Leader ]. Petak successfully exploited controversy that had emerged over Strohl's opposition to a ] law for minor girls seeking an abortion.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://journaltimes.com/news/remember-joe-strohl/article_48984813-3846-5023-b9c3-4e0cbfb6cc1b.html|title= "Remember Joe Strohl"|date= 1991-04-06|accessdate= 2019-02-15 |publisher=]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://wwwhhh.oit.umn.edu/centers/cspg/research/election_data_archive/pdf/WI_State_Senate_1990.pdf|title= Wisconsin State Senate Election Results, 1990|publisher=] |accessdate= 2019-02-15}}</ref>

In October 1995, Petak ran into his own controversy when he changed his vote on a funding bill for the ] stadium. Miller Park was being planned to replace the forty-year-old ] and was being pushed by Republican ] ] and ] owner and future-], ]. Petak had promised his constituents that he would vote against the bill, but changed his mind based on the belief that the Brewers would leave Wisconsin if a new stadium wasn't built.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/05/07/nyregion/stadiums-are-proposed-but-public-isn-t-always-disposed-to-pay-price.html |title= Stadiums Are Proposed, but Public Isn't Always Disposed to Pay Price|publisher= ] |author= ]|date= 1998-05-07 |accessdate= 2019-02-15}}</ref>

Petak's deciding vote supported a 0.1 percent sales tax increase for the five counties in the proposed stadium's vicinity, including Petak's home county, ].<ref>{{cite web|last=Madison |title=Petak Recall Counter to History|url=http://www.journaltimes.com/news/local/article_295f718a-2208-5ee9-a2a8-d55ca2ae6231.html |publisher=]|accessdate=2011-10-04 |date= 1996-04-12}}</ref> Petak faced immediate outrage in his home ], and local Democrats were energized to collect signatures for a recall petition. The petition was certified on March 26, 1996, and a recall election was ordered for June.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://journaltimes.com/news/local/recall-gets-green-light/article_20c617d4-cba0-57de-9577-5da7c6992e6d.html |title= Recall gets green light |publisher= ]|date=1996-03-27 |accessdate= 2019-02-15}}</ref> Nine months after his vote on the stadium tax, Petak became the first Wisconsin state legislator to be removed from office in a recall election, when he was defeated by Democratic ] ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://journaltimes.com/news/local/plache-sworn-in-as-state-senator/article_cedc9167-78dd-53cd-adb3-595b212c682e.html|title= Plache sworn in as state senator |publisher= ]|date= 1996-06-14|accessdate=2019-02-15}}</ref>

A few weeks after his election loss, Petak was appointed deputy director of the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority, a quasi-public agency established by the Wisconsin Legislature, where one third of the Board of Directors are Wisconsin legislators. Petak had served on WHEDA's board of directors for six years and had oversight of WHEDA while he was Chairman of the Senate Business, Economic Development and Urban Affairs Committee. The appointment was criticized at the time as a political favor for a former senator who lost his seat over a controversial vote.<ref name="PetakWHEDA"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wheda.com/WHEDA-history/ |title= WHEDA History |accessdate= 2019-02-15 |publisher=Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority }}</ref>

Petak briefly flirted with a run for Congress in ], after ] incumbent ] decided to run for ] instead of seeking re-election. Petak ultimately chose not to run and accused his would-be Republican primary opponent, future-] ], of exploiting the stadium tax controversy. <ref>{{cite web|url=https://journaltimes.com/news/local/petak-decides-not-to-run-for-congress/article_22697478-3e87-57df-83a1-5163e8d6ec9e.html |title= Petak decides not to run for Congress |publisher= ] |first=Joseph |last=Scolaro |date= 1998-03-10 |accessdate= 2019-02-15}}</ref>

Petak instead went into government affairs consulting in ] and started his own consulting business in 2009.<ref>{{cite web|last=Jones|first=Stephanie|title=Recalled Sen. Petak's Advice to Recall Candidates: "Take nothing for granted"|url=http://www.journaltimes.com/news/local/article_8a8fd668-c211-11e0-b8e6-001cc4c03286.html|publisher=JournalTimes.com|date=2011-08-08 |accessdate=2019-02-15}}</ref> As of 2016, Petak returned to the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority as Senior Business and Community Engagement Officer.

== Electoral history ==

{{Election box begin | title=Wisconsin 21st District Senate recall Election 1996}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link|
|party = Democratic Party (US)
|candidate = ]
|votes = 21,045
|percentage = 51.22%
|change = +13.33%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Republican Party (US)
|candidate = George Petak (incumbent)
|votes = 19,318
|percentage = 47.02%
|change = -15.09%
}}dd Mascaretti
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Libertarian Party (US)
|candidate = Todd Mascaretti
|votes = 725
|percentage = 1.76%
|change =
}}
{{Election box total
|votes = 41,088
|percentage = '''100.0%'''
|change =-10.00%
}}
{{Election box gain with party link no swing
|winner = Democratic Party (United States)
|loser = Republican Party (United States)
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin | title=Wisconsin 21st District Senate Election 1994}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link|
|party = Republican Party (US)
|candidate = George Petak (incumbent)
|votes = 28,356
|percentage = 62.11%
|change = +3.45%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Democratic Party (US)
|candidate = Sally Henzl
|votes = 17,295
|percentage = 37.89%
|change = -3.45%
}}
{{Election box total
|votes = 45,651
|percentage = '''100.0%'''
|change =+15.35%
}}
{{Election box hold with party link no swing|
|winner = Republican Party (United States)
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin | title=Wisconsin 21st District Senate Election 1990}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link|
|party = Republican Party (US)
|candidate = George Petak
|votes = 23,216
|percentage = 58.66%
|change =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Democratic Party (US)
|candidate = ] (incumbent)
|votes = 16,360
|percentage = 41.34%
|change =
}}
{{Election box total
|votes = 39,576
|percentage = '''100.0%'''
|change =
}}
{{Election box gain with party link no swing
|winner = Republican Party (United States)
|loser = Democratic Party (United States)
}}
{{Election box end}}


== Notes == == Notes ==

Revision as of 06:03, 16 February 2019

George Petak
Member of the Wisconsin Senate
from the 21st district
In office
January 1991 – June 14, 1996
Preceded byJoseph A. Strohl
Succeeded byKimberly Plache
Personal details
Born (1949-11-06) November 6, 1949 (age 75)
Warren, Ohio, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseNancy
Children3
Alma materKent State University

George Petak (born November 6, 1949) is an American Republican politician and political consultant who was the first Wisconsin state legislator to be removed from office in a recall election.

Early Life and Education

Born in Warren, Ohio, Petak graduated from Kent State University. He was hired by Ametek's Lamb Electric division in 1973 and worked in several administrative positions. In 1976, he moved to Sturtevant, Wisconsin to take on the role of quality control manager at an Ametek manufacturing plant in neighboring Racine.

Political Career

In 1983 Petak was elected to the Racine Unified School Board. He was re-elected in 1986 and 1989.

In 1990, he was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate, defeating the incumbent Senate Majority Leader Joseph A. Strohl. Petak successfully exploited controversy that had emerged over Strohl's opposition to a parental consent law for minor girls seeking an abortion.

In October 1995, Petak ran into his own controversy when he changed his vote on a funding bill for the Miller Park stadium. Miller Park was being planned to replace the forty-year-old Milwaukee County Stadium and was being pushed by Republican Governor Tommy Thompson and Milwaukee Brewers owner and future-Commissioner of Baseball, Bud Selig. Petak had promised his constituents that he would vote against the bill, but changed his mind based on the belief that the Brewers would leave Wisconsin if a new stadium wasn't built.

Petak's deciding vote supported a 0.1 percent sales tax increase for the five counties in the proposed stadium's vicinity, including Petak's home county, Racine. Petak faced immediate outrage in his home district, and local Democrats were energized to collect signatures for a recall petition. The petition was certified on March 26, 1996, and a recall election was ordered for June. Nine months after his vote on the stadium tax, Petak became the first Wisconsin state legislator to be removed from office in a recall election, when he was defeated by Democratic State Representative Kimberly Plache.

A few weeks after his election loss, Petak was appointed deputy director of the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority, a quasi-public agency established by the Wisconsin Legislature, where one third of the Board of Directors are Wisconsin legislators. Petak had served on WHEDA's board of directors for six years and had oversight of WHEDA while he was Chairman of the Senate Business, Economic Development and Urban Affairs Committee. The appointment was criticized at the time as a political favor for a former senator who lost his seat over a controversial vote.

Petak briefly flirted with a run for Congress in 1998, after 1st Congressional District incumbent Mark Neumann decided to run for U.S. Senate instead of seeking re-election. Petak ultimately chose not to run and accused his would-be Republican primary opponent, future-Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Paul Ryan, of exploiting the stadium tax controversy.

Petak instead went into government affairs consulting in Madison, Wisconsin and started his own consulting business in 2009. As of 2016, Petak returned to the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority as Senior Business and Community Engagement Officer.

Electoral history

dd Mascaretti
Wisconsin 21st District Senate recall Election 1996
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Kimberly Plache 21,045 51.22% +13.33%
Republican George Petak (incumbent) 19,318 47.02% −15.09%
Libertarian Todd Mascaretti 725 1.76%
Total votes 41,088 '100.0%' -10.00%
Democratic gain from Republican
Wisconsin 21st District Senate Election 1994
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican George Petak (incumbent) 28,356 62.11% +3.45%
Democratic Sally Henzl 17,295 37.89% −3.45%
Total votes 45,651 '100.0%' +15.35%
Republican hold
Wisconsin 21st District Senate Election 1990
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican George Petak 23,216 58.66%
Democratic Joseph Strohl (incumbent) 16,360 41.34%
Total votes 39,576 '100.0%'
Republican gain from Democratic

Notes

  1. Robin Toner (1996-06-09). "Political Briefing: The States and the Issues;Wisconsin: Recall Alters Balance of Power". The New York Times. Retrieved 2019-02-15.
  2. ^ Scolaro, Joseph (1996-07-06). "Petak is confident of ability to do job". Racine Journal Times. Retrieved 2019-02-15.
  3. ""Remember Joe Strohl"". Racine Journal Times. 1991-04-06. Retrieved 2019-02-15.
  4. "Wisconsin State Senate Election Results, 1990" (PDF). Humphrey School of Public Affairs. Retrieved 2019-02-15.
  5. Richard Sandomir (1998-05-07). "Stadiums Are Proposed, but Public Isn't Always Disposed to Pay Price". The New York Times. Retrieved 2019-02-15.
  6. Madison (1996-04-12). "Petak Recall Counter to History". Racine Journal Times. Retrieved 2011-10-04.
  7. "Recall gets green light". Racine Journal Times. 1996-03-27. Retrieved 2019-02-15.
  8. "Plache sworn in as state senator". Racine Journal Times. 1996-06-14. Retrieved 2019-02-15.
  9. "WHEDA History". Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority. Retrieved 2019-02-15.
  10. Scolaro, Joseph (1998-03-10). "Petak decides not to run for Congress". Racine Journal Times. Retrieved 2019-02-15.
  11. Jones, Stephanie (2011-08-08). "Recalled Sen. Petak's Advice to Recall Candidates: "Take nothing for granted"". JournalTimes.com. Retrieved 2019-02-15.


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