Barbara Lawton
Encyclopedia
Barbara Lawton is an American politician from Green Bay, Wisconsin
and member of the Democratic Party
. She was the Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin. She became the first woman elected to the position in 2002, as the running mate of former Democratic Governor Jim Doyle
. Lawton was re-elected on November 7, 2006.
and then on a farm near Waterford
. She worked her way through college, ultimately earning a degree in Spanish from Lawrence University
in Appleton
and a Master's Degree in Spanish from the University of Wisconsin–Madison
. Lawton has an Honorary Doctorate of Law from Lawrence University and an Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts from the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design. She met and married Charles "Cal" Lawton in 1973 when she was a student at the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay.
During thirty-five years living in the Green Bay
area, Barbara Lawton was active in the community, helping to co-found the Greater Green Bay Community Foundation and was a leader in the Educational Resource Foundation. She was also a founding member of the Latinos Unidos and the Green Bay Area Multicultural Center. She served on the Entrepreneurs of Color Advisory Board, winning their first Founders' Award. She also served on the Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
Foundation Board.
Barbara and Cal Lawton have two children and four grandchildren. The Lawtons presently reside in Algoma, Wisconsin
.
Professionally, Lawton worked as an international business consultant, helping businesses export their products to the Southern Cone
of South America and providing cultural training. The Lawton family lived for a time in Oaxaca
, Mexico and Santiago
, Chile.
Prior to being elected lieutenant governor in 2002, Lawton won the Democratic primary for Lieutenant Governor in 1998 and ran alongside the party's nominee for governor, attorney Ed Garvey
. The Garvey/Lawton ticket lost to incumbent Tommy Thompson
and Scott McCallum
. Lawton also ran unsuccessfully for the Wisconsin State Senate
in 1992.
and climate change
. She is seen as a leading advocate for women in the workplace; in 2003 she launched an economic development initiative called "Wisconsin Women = Prosperity". Lawton has also championed such issues as clean energy policy
, stem cell research and affordable higher education. In 2007, Lawton authored and passed the landmark Energy Independence and Climate Protection Resolution at the National Lieutenant Governors Association. Lawton also Chairs the Wisconsin Arts Board.
A 2006 editorial in the Madison, Wisconsin daily The Capital Times called Lawton "the boldest and most active lieutenant governor in state history".
In September 2008, as Chairwoman of the NLGA, Lawton had traveled on a mission to China along with Lt. Governors from Alabama, Connecticut, Kansas and Nevada. There, she signed a student exchange agreement between the University of Wisconsin–Madison
and Tsinghua University
in Beijing. Lawton also reached an agreement for the two Universities to form an exploratory commission to create a Global Manufacturing Institute.
that she would consider running for governor of Wisconsin in 2010 if Doyle does not seek a third term. If elected, she would be the state's first female governor.
At the 2007 Democratic Party of Wisconsin
Convention, Lawton decisively won the Wispolitics.com
straw poll for Governor in 2010 should Jim Doyle decide against a third term.
On August 15, 2009 Politico
announced Governor Doyle will not be seeking a third term according to sources familiar with his campaign. Soon after this announcement, her entry into the race was confirmed. On October 26, 2009, Lawton announced she would be withdrawing from the race, citing "very personal reasons."
.
Green Bay, Wisconsin
Green Bay is a city in and the county seat of Brown County in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, located at the head of Green Bay, a sub-basin of Lake Michigan, at the mouth of the Fox River. It has an elevation of above sea level and is located north of Milwaukee. As of the 2010 United States Census,...
and member of the Democratic Party
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
. She was the Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin. She became the first woman elected to the position in 2002, as the running mate of former Democratic Governor Jim Doyle
Jim Doyle
James Edward "Jim" Doyle is a Wisconsin politician and member of the Democratic Party. He was the 44th Governor of Wisconsin, serving from January 6, 2003 to January 3, 2011. He defeated incumbent Governor Scott McCallum by a margin of 45 percent to 41 percent; the Libertarian Party candidate Ed...
. Lawton was re-elected on November 7, 2006.
Personal background
Barbara Smith grew up in southeastern Wisconsin, first in Hales CornersHales Corners, Wisconsin
Hales Corners is a village in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 7,765 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Hales Corners is located in southwestern Milwaukee County...
and then on a farm near Waterford
Waterford, Wisconsin
Waterford is a village in Racine County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 4,048 at the 2000 census. The village is located mostly within the Town of Waterford...
. She worked her way through college, ultimately earning a degree in Spanish from Lawrence University
Lawrence University
Lawrence University is a selective, private liberal arts college with a nationally recognized conservatory of music, in Appleton, Wisconsin. Lawrence University is known for its rigorous academic environment. Founded in 1847, the first classes were held on November 12, 1849...
in Appleton
Appleton, Wisconsin
Appleton is a city in Outagamie, Calumet, and Winnebago Counties in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. It is situated on the Fox River, 30 miles southwest of Green Bay and 100 miles north of Milwaukee. Appleton is the county seat of Outagamie County. The population was 78,086 at the 2010 census...
and a Master's Degree in Spanish from the University of Wisconsin–Madison
University of Wisconsin–Madison
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is a public research university located in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. Founded in 1848, UW–Madison is the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System. It became a land-grant institution in 1866...
. Lawton has an Honorary Doctorate of Law from Lawrence University and an Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts from the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design. She met and married Charles "Cal" Lawton in 1973 when she was a student at the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay.
During thirty-five years living in the Green Bay
Green Bay, Wisconsin
Green Bay is a city in and the county seat of Brown County in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, located at the head of Green Bay, a sub-basin of Lake Michigan, at the mouth of the Fox River. It has an elevation of above sea level and is located north of Milwaukee. As of the 2010 United States Census,...
area, Barbara Lawton was active in the community, helping to co-found the Greater Green Bay Community Foundation and was a leader in the Educational Resource Foundation. She was also a founding member of the Latinos Unidos and the Green Bay Area Multicultural Center. She served on the Entrepreneurs of Color Advisory Board, winning their first Founders' Award. She also served on the Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, also called NWTC, is one of the 16 technical and community colleges in the Wisconsin Technical College System...
Foundation Board.
Barbara and Cal Lawton have two children and four grandchildren. The Lawtons presently reside in Algoma, Wisconsin
Algoma, Wisconsin
Algoma is a city in Kewaunee County in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 3,357 at the 2000 census. Algoma is part of the Green Bay Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
.
Professionally, Lawton worked as an international business consultant, helping businesses export their products to the Southern Cone
Southern Cone
Southern Cone is a geographic region composed of the southernmost areas of South America, south of the Tropic of Capricorn. Although geographically this includes part of Southern and Southeast of Brazil, in terms of political geography the Southern cone has traditionally comprised Argentina,...
of South America and providing cultural training. The Lawton family lived for a time in Oaxaca
Oaxaca
Oaxaca , , officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Oaxaca is one of the 31 states which, along with the Federal District, comprise the 32 federative entities of Mexico. It is divided into 571 municipalities; of which 418 are governed by the system of customs and traditions...
, Mexico and Santiago
Santiago, Chile
Santiago , also known as Santiago de Chile, is the capital and largest city of Chile, and the center of its largest conurbation . It is located in the country's central valley, at an elevation of above mean sea level...
, Chile.
Prior to being elected lieutenant governor in 2002, Lawton won the Democratic primary for Lieutenant Governor in 1998 and ran alongside the party's nominee for governor, attorney Ed Garvey
Ed Garvey
- Background :Edward Garvey graduated from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and spent two years in the U.S. Army; he then returned to the University of Wisconsin Law School and earned a law degree.- Law and union work :...
. The Garvey/Lawton ticket lost to incumbent Tommy Thompson
Tommy Thompson
Thomas George "Tommy" Thompson , a United States Republican politician, was the 42nd Governor of Wisconsin, after which he served as U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services. Thompson was a candidate for the 2008 U.S. Presidential Election, but dropped out early after a poor performance in polls...
and Scott McCallum
Scott McCallum
Scott McCallum is a member of the Republican Party who served as the 43rd Governor of Wisconsin, from 2001 to 2003. Prior to assuming the role of governor upon the appointment of Tommy Thompson as Secretary of Health and Human Services, McCallum served as a member of the Wisconsin State Senate and...
. Lawton also ran unsuccessfully for the Wisconsin State Senate
Wisconsin State Senate
The Wisconsin Senate, the powers of which are modeled after those of the U.S. Senate, is the upper house of the Wisconsin State Legislature, smaller than the Wisconsin State Assembly...
in 1992.
Lieutenant governor
As Lieutenant Governor, Lawton has taken on many issues, most related to economic developmentEconomic development
Economic development generally refers to the sustained, concerted actions of policymakers and communities that promote the standard of living and economic health of a specific area...
and climate change
Climate change
Climate change is a significant and lasting change in the statistical distribution of weather patterns over periods ranging from decades to millions of years. It may be a change in average weather conditions or the distribution of events around that average...
. She is seen as a leading advocate for women in the workplace; in 2003 she launched an economic development initiative called "Wisconsin Women = Prosperity". Lawton has also championed such issues as clean energy policy
Energy policy
Energy policy is the manner in which a given entity has decided to address issues of energy development including energy production, distribution and consumption...
, stem cell research and affordable higher education. In 2007, Lawton authored and passed the landmark Energy Independence and Climate Protection Resolution at the National Lieutenant Governors Association. Lawton also Chairs the Wisconsin Arts Board.
National Lieutenant Governor's Association
Barbara Lawton was unanimously elected Chairwoman of the National Lieutenant Governor's Association (NLGA) at their 2008 annual meeting in Buffalo, NY. Lawton served as the Vice-Chair of the NLGA in 2007.In September 2008, as Chairwoman of the NLGA, Lawton had traveled on a mission to China along with Lt. Governors from Alabama, Connecticut, Kansas and Nevada. There, she signed a student exchange agreement between the University of Wisconsin–Madison
University of Wisconsin–Madison
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is a public research university located in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. Founded in 1848, UW–Madison is the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System. It became a land-grant institution in 1866...
and Tsinghua University
Tsinghua University
Tsinghua University , colloquially known in Chinese as Qinghua, is a university in Beijing, China. The school is one of the nine universities of the C9 League. It was established in 1911 under the name "Tsinghua Xuetang" or "Tsinghua College" and was renamed the "Tsinghua School" one year later...
in Beijing. Lawton also reached an agreement for the two Universities to form an exploratory commission to create a Global Manufacturing Institute.
2010 gubernatorial run
Lawton hinted in a March 2008 interview with the Associated PressAssociated Press
The Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
that she would consider running for governor of Wisconsin in 2010 if Doyle does not seek a third term. If elected, she would be the state's first female governor.
At the 2007 Democratic Party of Wisconsin
Democratic Party of Wisconsin
The Democratic Party of Wisconsin is the affiliate of the Democratic Party in Wisconsin. As of 2009, it is headed by state party chairman Mike Tate, who is the youngest chairman of a state party...
Convention, Lawton decisively won the Wispolitics.com
Wispolitics.com
WisPolitics.com is an online magazine and news service covering political and governmental news in Wisconsin. It issues hourly updates on daily events, political press releases, and political news....
straw poll for Governor in 2010 should Jim Doyle decide against a third term.
On August 15, 2009 Politico
Politico (newspaper)
The Politico is an American political journalism organization based in Arlington, Virginia, that distributes its content via television, the Internet, newspaper, and radio. Its coverage of Washington, D.C., includes the U.S. Congress, lobbying, media and the Presidency...
announced Governor Doyle will not be seeking a third term according to sources familiar with his campaign. Soon after this announcement, her entry into the race was confirmed. On October 26, 2009, Lawton announced she would be withdrawing from the race, citing "very personal reasons."
2008 presidential election
On June 29, 2007 Barbara Lawton endorsed Hillary Clinton for President. She also served as a Midwest Campaign Co-Chair for Clinton's campaign. Following the Democratic Primary, she endorsed Barack ObamaBarack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
.
Electoral history
External links
- Barbara Lawton official campaign site
- Follow the Money – Barbara lawton 2006 campaign contributions
- Project Vote Smart – Lt. Governor Barbara Lawton (WI) profile
- Capital Times Editorial
- Wispolitics 2007 Straw Poll Results for Governor at the Wisconsin Democratic Party Convention Wispolitics.comWispolitics.comWisPolitics.com is an online magazine and news service covering political and governmental news in Wisconsin. It issues hourly updates on daily events, political press releases, and political news....
- WW=P 5-year Progress Report