Glenn Grothman
Encyclopedia
Glenn Grothman is the Republican
Assistant Majority Leader of the Wisconsin Senate, representing the 20th District in southeastern Wisconsin since 2005. The district includes the city of West Bend
, other parts of Washington County, and parts of Fond du Lac
, Dodge
, Sheboygan, and Ozaukee counties. Previously, Grothman served in the Wisconsin State Assembly
, representing the 58th Assembly District from 1993 until 2005, and serving as the vice chair of the Assembly's Republican caucus from 1999 to 2004.
in Mequon
, and attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison for his undergraduate degree. In 1983, he received his law degree
from the University of Wisconsin Law School
.
As of 2009, Grothman was the only Republican Wisconsin Senator with a law degree.
Grothman opposed a bill that would increase funding for anti-smoking programs from $10 to $30 million. He believes that anti-smoking campaigns do not work, and are no longer necessary, writing "Everybody knows you're not supposed to smoke!." He also voted against the ban on smoking in bars, restaurants and other small business that became effective in July 2010. After the bill was passed, he introduced new legislation to allow guests to smoke in hotel rooms.
Grothman has argued that Martin Luther King Jr. Day should not be a work holiday, calling the day off "an insult to all the other taxpayers around the state". He has expressed doubts that "state workers would be 'checking out DVDs or reading books' about King and would probably just be out shopping or watching television instead." He released a statement opposing a Kwanzaa holiday, stating that we should "treat Kwanzaa with the
contempt it deserves before it becomes a permanent part of our culture."
An advocate of 2nd Amendment rights, Grothman is a long-time supporter of concealed carry legislation, but does not advocate allowing concealed weapons in taverns. He believes concealed-carry laws would deter criminal behavior, with permits being awarded to law-abiding citizens who pass a firearm safety course.
He is a co-sponsor of Senate Bill 19 (2011), which removes the requirement of mandatory disinfection of groundwater in municipal water systems, a requirement that was imposed in reaction to a Cryptosporidium
outbreak in 1993, which killed at least 104 citizens of Milwaukee, and sickened thousands of others.
in early 2011. He has said he supports the so called budget repair bill because it is fiscally responsible. In a recent press interview, he said that he did not "find it impressive" that over 70,000 protesters marched on the capitol.
During the protests, Grothman was cornered by almost 200 pro-union protesters yelling "Shame! Shame!" outside the state capitol building. Grothman said he was not concerned about violence at the time, adding that, "They're loud, they'll give you the finger, and they yell at you, but I really think deep down inside they're just mostly college kids having fun, just like they're having fun sleeping with their girlfriends on air mattresses. That's the guts of that crowd." He also described the protesters as "a different breed of person" and "a bunch of slobs taking up the building."
During this time, Grothman also advocated the hiring of more business-friendly individuals to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. In doing so, he went out of his way to single out one of the University of Wisconsin campuses as a target: "Maybe you (should) look to hire those people who know what the real world is like, rather than a recent graduate from UW-Stevens Point who doesn't know what the real world is like." This was only days before appearing at UW—Stevens Point with the Joint Finance Committee for a day of hearings on Scott Walker's budget bill.
Grothman was subject to a recall effort in the spring of 2011, but the effort failed, collecting only 75% of the required signatures.
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
Assistant Majority Leader of the Wisconsin Senate, representing the 20th District in southeastern Wisconsin since 2005. The district includes the city of West Bend
West Bend
West Bend is the name of a few places in the United States, and a company:*West Bend, Iowa*West Bend, Wisconsin*West Bend , Wisconsin*West Bend Company*West Bend Municipal Airport...
, other parts of Washington County, and parts of Fond du Lac
Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin
Fond du Lac County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2000, the population was 97,296. Its county seat is Fond du Lac. The United States Census Bureau's Fond du Lac Metropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Fond du Lac County. The county name is French for "bottom of the...
, Dodge
Dodge County, Wisconsin
Dodge County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2010, the population was 88,759. Its county seat is Juneau.-Geography:According to the U.S...
, Sheboygan, and Ozaukee counties. Previously, Grothman served in the Wisconsin State Assembly
Wisconsin State Assembly
The Wisconsin State Assembly is the lower house of the Wisconsin Legislature. Together with the smaller Wisconsin Senate, the two constitute the legislative branch of the U.S. state of Wisconsin....
, representing the 58th Assembly District from 1993 until 2005, and serving as the vice chair of the Assembly's Republican caucus from 1999 to 2004.
Early life and education
Grothman graduated from Homestead High SchoolHomestead High School
Homestead High School is the name of several high schools in the United States:*Homestead High School *Homestead High School *Homestead High School...
in Mequon
Mequon, Wisconsin
Mequon is a city in Ozaukee County, Wisconsin, United States. It had a population of 21,823 at the 2000 census, and an estimated population of 23,739 in July 2009...
, and attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison for his undergraduate degree. In 1983, he received his law degree
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
from the University of Wisconsin Law School
University of Wisconsin Law School
The University of Wisconsin Law School is the professional school for the study of law at the University of Wisconsin–Madison in Madison, Wisconsin. The law school was founded in 1868.-Facilities:...
.
Wisconsin legislature
Grothman was elected to the 58th Assembly District in a special election held in December 1993. From 1999 to 2004, he was the Assembly Majority Caucus Vice Chairperson. Grothman was elected to the Senate unopposed in 2004. From 2007 to 2008, he was the Senate Minority Caucus Chairperson. From 2009 to 2010 he was the Senate Assistant Minority Leader, becoming the Senate Assistant Majority Leader in 2011.As of 2009, Grothman was the only Republican Wisconsin Senator with a law degree.
Political positions
He opposed a provision in a 2010 sex education law that prohibited teachers from promoting bias based on sexual orientation, saying that he did not believe the topic should be discussed at all in the public schools. According to the Capitol Times, Grothman's opposition was based on "the belief that instructors who lead these talks would have what he called an "agenda" to persuade students to become gay." Grothman believes the kindergarten program for 4-year-olds should be defunded by Governor Scott Walker because any academic benefits disappear by the fourth grade, and the program is used by school districts to pad their budgets to get more state aid.Grothman opposed a bill that would increase funding for anti-smoking programs from $10 to $30 million. He believes that anti-smoking campaigns do not work, and are no longer necessary, writing "Everybody knows you're not supposed to smoke!." He also voted against the ban on smoking in bars, restaurants and other small business that became effective in July 2010. After the bill was passed, he introduced new legislation to allow guests to smoke in hotel rooms.
Grothman has argued that Martin Luther King Jr. Day should not be a work holiday, calling the day off "an insult to all the other taxpayers around the state". He has expressed doubts that "state workers would be 'checking out DVDs or reading books' about King and would probably just be out shopping or watching television instead." He released a statement opposing a Kwanzaa holiday, stating that we should "treat Kwanzaa with the
contempt it deserves before it becomes a permanent part of our culture."
An advocate of 2nd Amendment rights, Grothman is a long-time supporter of concealed carry legislation, but does not advocate allowing concealed weapons in taverns. He believes concealed-carry laws would deter criminal behavior, with permits being awarded to law-abiding citizens who pass a firearm safety course.
He is a co-sponsor of Senate Bill 19 (2011), which removes the requirement of mandatory disinfection of groundwater in municipal water systems, a requirement that was imposed in reaction to a Cryptosporidium
Cryptosporidium
Cryptosporidium is a protozoan that can cause gastro-intestinal illness with diarrhea in humans.Cryptosporidium is the organism most commonly isolated in HIV positive patients presenting with diarrhea...
outbreak in 1993, which killed at least 104 citizens of Milwaukee, and sickened thousands of others.
2011 Wisconsin budget protests
Grothman has been a vocal proponent of SB11, a controversial bill proposed by Governor Scott WalkerScott Walker (politician)
Scott Kevin Walker is an American Republican politician who began serving as the 45th Governor of Wisconsin on January 3, 2011, after defeating Democratic candidate Tom Barrett, 52 percent to 47 percent in the November 2010 general election...
in early 2011. He has said he supports the so called budget repair bill because it is fiscally responsible. In a recent press interview, he said that he did not "find it impressive" that over 70,000 protesters marched on the capitol.
During the protests, Grothman was cornered by almost 200 pro-union protesters yelling "Shame! Shame!" outside the state capitol building. Grothman said he was not concerned about violence at the time, adding that, "They're loud, they'll give you the finger, and they yell at you, but I really think deep down inside they're just mostly college kids having fun, just like they're having fun sleeping with their girlfriends on air mattresses. That's the guts of that crowd." He also described the protesters as "a different breed of person" and "a bunch of slobs taking up the building."
During this time, Grothman also advocated the hiring of more business-friendly individuals to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. In doing so, he went out of his way to single out one of the University of Wisconsin campuses as a target: "Maybe you (should) look to hire those people who know what the real world is like, rather than a recent graduate from UW-Stevens Point who doesn't know what the real world is like." This was only days before appearing at UW—Stevens Point with the Joint Finance Committee for a day of hearings on Scott Walker's budget bill.
Grothman was subject to a recall effort in the spring of 2011, but the effort failed, collecting only 75% of the required signatures.
Awards and recognition
- Pro Life Wisconsin, Legislator of the Year, 2010, 1995
- Wisconsin Right to Life, Pro-Life Hero Award, 1996
- Wisconsin Right to Life, Sanctity of Life Award 2004
- Wisconsin Guild of Midwives, Legislator of the Year 2006
- Milwaukee County Republican Party Assembly, Tax Cutter of the Year, 2002
- Eagle ForumEagle ForumEagle Forum is a conservative interest group in the United States founded by Phyllis Schlafly in 1972 and is the parent organization that also includes the Eagle Forum Education and Legal Defense Fund and the Eagle Forum PAC. The Eagle Forum has been primarily focused on social issues; it describes...
, Leadership Award 2007 - Independent Business Association, Legislator of the Year 2000
- National Federation of Independent Businesses, Guardian of Small Business Award 1999-2000, 2005–06
- Wisconsin Builders Association, Friend of Housing Award 2001-07
- Wisconsin Builders Association, Legislator of the Year 2005
- Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce, Working for Wisconsin Award 1998-2006
- Wisconsin Grocers Association, Friend of Grocers Award 1997-2004;
- Wisconsin Farm Bureau, Friend of Agriculture Award 1995-2007
- Wisconsin Dairy Business Association, Milk Bottle Award 2006, 2004
- Wisconsin Counties Association, Outstanding Legislator Award 1997-98
- Wisconsin Bear Hunters Association, Hero Award 2010
Electoral history
External links
- Glenn Grothman Watch
- Senator Glenn Grothman at the Wisconsin State Legislature
- Column archives at Grothman.org
- 20th Senate District, Senator Grothman in the Wisconsin Blue BookWisconsin Blue BookThe Wisconsin Blue Book is a biannual publication of the Wisconsin's Legislative Reference Bureau. The Blue Book is an almanac containing information on the government, economics, demographics, geography and history of the state of Wisconsin. The book was first published in 1853...
(2005–2006)