John Gard
Encyclopedia
John Gard was a Republican
member of the Wisconsin State Assembly
representing the 89th Assembly District from 1987 until 2007. He served as Speaker
of the State Assembly from 2003 until 2007.
Gard was also the Republican nominee for U.S. Representative
for Wisconsin's 8th congressional district
in 2006 and 2008, running against and losing to Democratic
nominee Steve Kagen
both times.
Gard graduated from University of Wisconsin–La Crosse in La Crosse, Wisconsin
. He is married to Cathy Zeuske
, a former Wisconsin State Representative, State Treasurer, and Revenue Secretary under former Governor Tommy Thompson
. They have two children: Elizabeth (Libby) and John Vincent. In 2007, the Gard family moved from Sun Prairie
to the Howard-Suamico area.
With four-term incumbent Republican
Mark Green running for Governor of Wisconsin, Wisconsin's 8th congressional district seat became an open seat.
Gard was the Republican nominee, defeating State Rep. Terri McCormick
of Appleton
in the September 12, 2006 Republican primary. He lost to Democrat Steve Kagen of Appleton
in the November 7, 2006 mid-term election, 51–49%, in the most expensive congressional House race in state history. Gard's loss was part of the national Republican defeat. Issues that dominated the election were the Iraq War, healthcare, immigration, and pork barrel spending. Gard was able to carry his home county of Marinette
with 51.4% of the vote and neighboring Oconto County by 52.1%. He lost Brown County, home to Green Bay, by less than 1,000 votes (less than 1%). Kagen carried his home county of Outagamie with 54.5% of the vote.
for 8th district representative. The Cook Political Report
claimed the race 'leans Democrat' even though the district was considered to "lean-Republican" with a Cook Partisan Voting Index
(PVI) of R +4.
Other GOP potential candidates dropped out of the race, including State Assemblymen Frank Lasee
and Steve Wieckert
, and former Green Bay Mayor Paul Jadin. Gard received the Republican nomination, but lost the election by 164,561 to 193,261.
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...
member of 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 89th Assembly District from 1987 until 2007. He served as Speaker
Speaker (politics)
The term speaker is a title often given to the presiding officer of a deliberative assembly, especially a legislative body. The speaker's official role is to moderate debate, make rulings on procedure, announce the results of votes, and the like. The speaker decides who may speak and has the...
of the State Assembly from 2003 until 2007.
Gard was also the Republican nominee for U.S. Representative
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
for Wisconsin's 8th congressional district
Wisconsin's 8th congressional district
Wisconsin's 8th congressional district is a congressional district of the United States House of Representatives in northeastern Wisconsin. The district includes Green Bay and Appleton. It is currently represented by Reid Ribble, a Republican. Ribble defeated incumbent Democrat Steve Kagen for...
in 2006 and 2008, running against and losing to Democratic
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...
nominee Steve Kagen
Steve Kagen
Steven Leslie Kagen, M.D. is a physician and was the U.S. Representative for , serving from 2007 to 2011. He is a member of the Democratic Party...
both times.
Gard graduated from University of Wisconsin–La Crosse in La Crosse, Wisconsin
La Crosse, Wisconsin
La Crosse is a city in and the county seat of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, United States. The city lies alongside the Mississippi River.The 2011 Census Bureau estimates the city had a population of 52,485...
. He is married to Cathy Zeuske
Cathy Zeuske
Cathy Susan "Cate" Zeuske , is a Republican politician from Wisconsin, United States. She is married to John Gard, who served as Speaker of the Wisconsin State Assembly from 2003 until 2007. They have two children....
, a former Wisconsin State Representative, State Treasurer, and Revenue Secretary under former Governor 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...
. They have two children: Elizabeth (Libby) and John Vincent. In 2007, the Gard family moved from Sun Prairie
Sun Prairie
Sun Prairie is the name of a few places in the United States:*Sun Prairie, Montana*Sun Prairie, Wisconsin*Sun Prairie , Wisconsin...
to the Howard-Suamico area.
2006 8th congressional district election
- 2006 general election results for Wisconsin's 8th congressional districtWisconsin's 8th congressional districtWisconsin's 8th congressional district is a congressional district of the United States House of Representatives in northeastern Wisconsin. The district includes Green Bay and Appleton. It is currently represented by Reid Ribble, a Republican. Ribble defeated incumbent Democrat Steve Kagen for...
- Steven L. Kagen (D), 141,598, 51%
- John Gard (R), 134,990, 49%
With four-term incumbent Republican
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...
Mark Green running for Governor of Wisconsin, Wisconsin's 8th congressional district seat became an open seat.
Gard was the Republican nominee, defeating State Rep. Terri McCormick
Terri McCormick
Terri McCormick was a Wisconsin State Representative representing the 56th district in the northeastern part of the state from 2000 until 2007. She unsuccessfully sought the Republican nomination in Wisconsin's 8th congressional District in 2006, losing to John Gard...
of 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...
in the September 12, 2006 Republican primary. He lost to Democrat Steve Kagen of 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...
in the November 7, 2006 mid-term election, 51–49%, in the most expensive congressional House race in state history. Gard's loss was part of the national Republican defeat. Issues that dominated the election were the Iraq War, healthcare, immigration, and pork barrel spending. Gard was able to carry his home county of Marinette
Marinette County, Wisconsin
Marinette County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2000, the population was 43,384. Its county seat is Marinette.Marinette County is part of the Marinette, WI–MI Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:According to the U.S...
with 51.4% of the vote and neighboring Oconto County by 52.1%. He lost Brown County, home to Green Bay, by less than 1,000 votes (less than 1%). Kagen carried his home county of Outagamie with 54.5% of the vote.
2008 8th congressional district election
John Gard announced on Sunday April 27, 2008 that he would again run against Democratic incumbent Steve KagenSteve Kagen
Steven Leslie Kagen, M.D. is a physician and was the U.S. Representative for , serving from 2007 to 2011. He is a member of the Democratic Party...
for 8th district representative. The Cook Political Report
Cook Political Report
The Cook Political Report is an independent, non-partisan online newsletter that analyzes elections and campaigns for the United States House of Representatives, the United States Senate, Governor's offices and the American Presidency. The Cook Political Report is led by a staff of five...
claimed the race 'leans Democrat' even though the district was considered to "lean-Republican" with a Cook Partisan Voting Index
Cook Partisan Voting Index
The Cook Partisan Voting Index , sometimes referred to as simply the Partisan Voting Index , is a measurement of how strongly an American congressional district or state leans toward one political party compared to the nation as a whole...
(PVI) of R +4.
Other GOP potential candidates dropped out of the race, including State Assemblymen Frank Lasee
Frank Lasee
Frank Lasee is a Republican member of the Wisconsin Senate, representing the 1st Senate District since 2011. Previous senator representing this district was his cousin, Alan Lasee...
and Steve Wieckert
Steve Wieckert
Steve Wieckert is a Wisconsin politician, legislator, and realtor.Born in Appleton, Wisconsin, Wieckert graduated from Appleton West High School and received his bachelors and masters from American University. Wieckert, who is a realtor served in the Wisconsin State Assembly from 1997 until...
, and former Green Bay Mayor Paul Jadin. Gard received the Republican nomination, but lost the election by 164,561 to 193,261.
External links
- Profile at SourceWatchSourceWatchSourceWatch is an internet wiki site that is a collaborative project of the liberal Center for Media and Democracy...
CongresspediaCongresspediaCongresspedia was a wiki that ran from April 2006 to March 2009, designed to hold information on the workings of the U.S. Congress. It was fully contained within SourceWatch, a larger wiki meant to document the people, organizations and issues shaping the public agenda. The Congresspedia portion of...