Barbara Lawton
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| Barbara Lawton | |
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| Governor(s) | Jim Doyle |
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| Preceded by | Margaret Farrow |
| Succeeded by | Incumbent |
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| Born | July 05, 1951 (age 55) |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Cal Lawton |
| Profession | Business Consultant |
Barbara Lawton (born July 5, 1951) is an American politician. She is the current Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin. She became the first woman elected to the position in 2002, as the running mate of current Democratic Governor Jim Doyle. Lawton was re-elected on November 7, 2006.
In her first four years as Lieutenant Governor, Lawton has taken on many issues, most related to economic development and fiscal responsibility. She is seen as a leading advocate for women in the workplace; in 2003 she launched an economic development initiative called "Wisconsin Women = Prosperity". In 2005, Lawton convened the Lt. Governor's Task Force on Women and Depression. Lawton has also championed such issues as clean energy policy and stem cell research.
A recent editorial in the Madison, Wisconsin daily Capital Times called Lawton "the boldest and most active lieutenant governor in state history."
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 State Senate in 1992.
[edit] Personal Background
Lieutenant Governor Lawton grew up in southeastern Wisconsin, first in Hales Corners and then on a farm near Waterford. She began her university studies at UW-Green Bay, where she met and married Cal Lawton. She earned a bachelor's degree in Spanish from Lawrence University in Appleton and a Master's Degree in Spanish from the University of Wisconsin at Madison.
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.
Professionally, Lawton made her way 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.
Barbara and Cal Lawton have two children and four grandchildren.
[edit] External links
- Wisconson Lt. Governor Barbara Lawton official state biography
- Barbara Lawton official campaign site
- Fllow the Money - Barbara lawton 2006 campaign contributions
- Project Vote Smart - Lt. Governor Barbara Lawton (WI) profile
- Capital Times Editorial
- Google News on Barbara Lawton
| Preceded by Margaret Farrow |
Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin 2003 – present |
Incumbent |
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