Joel Kleefisch | |
---|---|
Member of the
Wisconsin State Assembly from the 38th district | |
In office January 3, 2005 – January 7, 2019 | |
Preceded by | Steven Foti [1] |
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 | Waukesha, Wisconsin, U.S. | June 8, 1971
Political party | Republican |
Spouse | Rebecca Reed |
Children | 2 |
Residence(s) | Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, U.S. |
Education | Pepperdine 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, was the Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin.
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]
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]
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.