Peter Barca
Encyclopedia
Peter Barca is a Democratic politician from the U.S. state
of Wisconsin
and the current Representative for the 64th District in the Wisconsin State Assembly
. He is a lifelong resident of the Kenosha
area.
Barca has served as a State Representative on two separate occasions from 1985–1993, and 2009–present. He also served as a member of the U.S. Congress
between 1993–1995, and the Midwest Regional Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration.
After a landslide victory in his re-election campaign in 2010, Rep. Barca was elected by his colleagues to serve as Assembly Democratic Minority Leader in the 100th Wisconsin Legislative Session
.
in 1973 and earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. He attended Harvard Graduate School and went on to earn an M.A. in public administration and educational administration from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1983.
Starting his career as a teacher of the emotionally disturbed and a team leader for students with special needs, Rep. Barca went on to become the Director of the Friendship Camp, a camp for children with disabilities. He also served as an employment specialist.
in the 64th District. The 64th District represents most of the City of Kenosha and a portion of the Town of Somers
.
During his initial tenure in the State Capitol, Barca authored and passed a wide variety of proposals covering issues such as economic development, protection for seniors and the disabled, education, employment and job training, criminal justice, and environmental protection. He also worked closely with the Kenosha delegation to help pass legislation that led to the creation of the Lakeview Corporate Park.
Rep. Barca also chaired several special legislative committees that led to Wisconsin’s nationally recognized welfare reform program, implemented the award-winning ‘one stop shop’ employment and training systems, and developed the roadmap for rail services between Kenosha and Milwaukee.
In 1991 and 1993, Rep. Barca was elected Majority Caucus Chairperson in the State Assembly.
Rep. Barca resigned his seat in 1993 in order to run for the U.S. House of Representatives.
appointed U.S. Representative Les Aspin
to the post of Secretary of Defense, and a special election was called to fill Wisconsin’s 1st Congressional District
. Rep. Barca faced perennial Republican challenger Mark Neumann
and won election to the House of Representatives in the 103rd Congress. Mark Neumann, in turn, defeated Rep. Barca in the regular 1994 elections.
Rep. Barca was also leader of the National Regulatory Fairness Program, an initiative which included more than fifty company Presidents throughout the country aimed at making regulatory enforcement small business friendly.
He later went on to become Vice President and then President of Aurora Associates International, an international project management company.
As chair of the Partnership for a Stronger Economy, Rep. Barca travelled the state meeting with various small businesses owners and economic development professionals to craft an economic plan for Wisconsin. The Partnership led the way in helping to pass over 50 economic initiatives in the 2009/10 legislative session, including the Small Business Capital Access Program and the Entrepreneurial Assistance Grant Program, both authored by Rep. Barca.
In the 2011 legislative session Rep. Barca rose to national prominence as a leader in the struggle against Governor Scott Walker
’s proposed changes to collective bargaining
in Wisconsin.
Rep. Barca authored legislation to ban text messaging
while driving in Wisconsin.
and his daughter is a graduate of University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Rep. Barca is very involved in the Kenosha area, serving on a wide number of non-profit Boards and Commissions including the Kenosha Family and Aging, the Girl Scouts, the Foundation Board for U.W. Parkside, KenRail, and the United Way. He also chaired a feasibility committee that led to the creation of the Boys and Girls Club of Kenosha, and remains engaged in that community.
Rep. Barca is also an active member of St. Peters Parish and has coached and managed many youth athletic teams for baseball, soccer, and basketball.
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
and the current Representative for the 64th District 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....
. He is a lifelong resident of the Kenosha
Kenosha, Wisconsin
Kenosha is a city and the county seat of Kenosha County in the State of Wisconsin in United States. With a population of 99,218 as of May 2011, Kenosha is the fourth-largest city in Wisconsin. Kenosha is also the fourth-largest city on the western shore of Lake Michigan, following Chicago,...
area.
Barca has served as a State Representative on two separate occasions from 1985–1993, and 2009–present. He also served as a member of the U.S. Congress
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...
between 1993–1995, and the Midwest Regional Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration.
After a landslide victory in his re-election campaign in 2010, Rep. Barca was elected by his colleagues to serve as Assembly Democratic Minority Leader in the 100th Wisconsin Legislative Session
100th Wisconsin Legislature
-Senate:-Assembly:-Senate:President of the Senate: Sen. Michael EllisPresident pro tempore: Sen. Joe LeibhamChief Clerk: Hon. Robert J. MarchantSergeant at arms: Hon. Edward Blazel -Assembly:Speaker of the Assembly: Rep. Jeff Fitzgerald...
.
Early Life and Education
Representative Barca was born in Kenosha, Wisconsin on August 7, 1955 and spent his entire youth in the Kenosha area. He graduated from Mary D. Bradford High SchoolMary D. Bradford High School
Bradford High School is a high school that serves students in grades 9 to 12 located in Kenosha, Wisconsin. It is the primary high school for students on the north side of the city.-History:...
in 1973 and earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. He attended Harvard Graduate School and went on to earn an M.A. in public administration and educational administration from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1983.
Starting his career as a teacher of the emotionally disturbed and a team leader for students with special needs, Rep. Barca went on to become the Director of the Friendship Camp, a camp for children with disabilities. He also served as an employment specialist.
Wisconsin State Assembly
Rep. Barca entered politics in 1985 when he won his first election to the State Assembly, succeeding Joseph WimmerJoseph Wimmer
-Biography:Wimmer was born on July 21, 1934 in Watertown, Wisconsin. He graduated from Watertown High School, the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of Wisconsin Law School and served in the United States Army.-Political career:...
in the 64th District. The 64th District represents most of the City of Kenosha and a portion of the Town of Somers
Somers, Wisconsin
Somers is a town in Kenosha County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 9,059 at the 2000 census.The unincorporated community of Somers is located within the town at Kenosha County Highway E at the former Milwaukee Road .-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town...
.
During his initial tenure in the State Capitol, Barca authored and passed a wide variety of proposals covering issues such as economic development, protection for seniors and the disabled, education, employment and job training, criminal justice, and environmental protection. He also worked closely with the Kenosha delegation to help pass legislation that led to the creation of the Lakeview Corporate Park.
Rep. Barca also chaired several special legislative committees that led to Wisconsin’s nationally recognized welfare reform program, implemented the award-winning ‘one stop shop’ employment and training systems, and developed the roadmap for rail services between Kenosha and Milwaukee.
In 1991 and 1993, Rep. Barca was elected Majority Caucus Chairperson in the State Assembly.
Rep. Barca resigned his seat in 1993 in order to run for the U.S. House of Representatives.
U.S. Congress
In early 1993, President Bill ClintonBill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
appointed U.S. Representative Les Aspin
Les Aspin
Leslie "Les" Aspin, Jr. was a United States Representative from 1971 to 1993, and the United States Secretary of Defense under President Bill Clinton from January 21, 1993 to February 3, 1994.-Early life:...
to the post of Secretary of Defense, and a special election was called to fill Wisconsin’s 1st Congressional District
Wisconsin's 1st congressional district
Wisconsin's 1st congressional district is a congressional district of the United States House of Representatives in southeastern Wisconsin, covering Kenosha County, Racine County and most of Walworth County, as well as portions of Rock County, Waukesha County and Milwaukee County. The district's...
. Rep. Barca faced perennial Republican challenger Mark Neumann
Mark Neumann
Mark W. Neumann is a businessman and politician. He represented from 1995 to 1999. In 2010, Neumann lost a bid to become the Republican nominee for Governor of Wisconsin. Neumann is currently a candidate for U.S...
and won election to the House of Representatives in the 103rd Congress. Mark Neumann, in turn, defeated Rep. Barca in the regular 1994 elections.
Post-Congress Career
Though he narrowly lost he re-election bid, President Clinton appointed Rep. Barca to serve as Midwest Regional Administrator to the U.S. Small Business Administration. He also served as National Ombudsman to the SBA.Rep. Barca was also leader of the National Regulatory Fairness Program, an initiative which included more than fifty company Presidents throughout the country aimed at making regulatory enforcement small business friendly.
He later went on to become Vice President and then President of Aurora Associates International, an international project management company.
Return to Politics
In November 2008, after a 15 year absence, Rep. Barca was elected to represent the 64th District once again. He was again chosen to be Majority Caucus Chairperson, and served as Co-Chair of the Joint Legislative Audit Committee, and Chair of the Partnership for a Stronger Economy.As chair of the Partnership for a Stronger Economy, Rep. Barca travelled the state meeting with various small businesses owners and economic development professionals to craft an economic plan for Wisconsin. The Partnership led the way in helping to pass over 50 economic initiatives in the 2009/10 legislative session, including the Small Business Capital Access Program and the Entrepreneurial Assistance Grant Program, both authored by Rep. Barca.
In the 2011 legislative session Rep. Barca rose to national prominence as a leader in the struggle against Governor Scott Walker
Scott 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...
’s proposed changes to collective bargaining
Collective bargaining
Collective bargaining is a process of negotiations between employers and the representatives of a unit of employees aimed at reaching agreements that regulate working conditions...
in Wisconsin.
Rep. Barca authored legislation to ban text messaging
Text messaging
Text messaging, or texting, refers to the exchange of brief written text messages between fixed-line phone or mobile phone and fixed or portable devices over a network...
while driving in Wisconsin.
Personal life
Rep. Barca is married and has two children. His son attends Fordham UniversityFordham University
Fordham University is a private, nonprofit, coeducational research university in the United States, with three campuses in and around New York City. It was founded by the Roman Catholic Diocese of New York in 1841 as St...
and his daughter is a graduate of University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Rep. Barca is very involved in the Kenosha area, serving on a wide number of non-profit Boards and Commissions including the Kenosha Family and Aging, the Girl Scouts, the Foundation Board for U.W. Parkside, KenRail, and the United Way. He also chaired a feasibility committee that led to the creation of the Boys and Girls Club of Kenosha, and remains engaged in that community.
Rep. Barca is also an active member of St. Peters Parish and has coached and managed many youth athletic teams for baseball, soccer, and basketball.