Robert Wirch

Robert Wirch
Member of the Wisconsin Senate
from the 22nd district
Assumed office
1997
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly
from the tbd district
In office
1993–1997
Personal details
Born (1943-11-16) November 16, 1943
Kenosha, Wisconsin, U.S.
Political party Democratic
Spouse(s) Mary Wirch; 2 children
Residence Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, U.S.
Profession Factory worker

Robert W. Wirch (born November 16, 1943) is a Democratic Party member of the Wisconsin Senate, representing the 22nd district since 1997. He previously served in the Wisconsin Assembly from 1993 through 1997.

Early life, education and career

Wirch was born in Kenosha, Wisconsin and graduated from Bradford High School. He received a bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin–Parkside in 1970 and served in the United States Army Reserve from 1965 to 1971. He served as a member of the Board of Supervisors for Kenosha County from 1986 to 1994.

Wisconsin legislature

In 1992, Wirch was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly and served there until 1997. Wirch was elected to the Wisconsin Senate in 1996 and was reelected in 2000, 2004 (that year he ran against Reince Priebus[1]), and 2008. He served as the Democratic Minority Caucus Chairperson from 2003 to 2005.[2]

2011 Wisconsin protests

On February 20, 2011, it was reported that Wirch, along with 13 other Democratic Wisconsin State Senators, had left the state, allegedly to deny the State Senate a quorum on Governor Scott Walker's Budget Repair legislation.[3] The Budget Repair bill later passed.

2011 recall attempt

On February 24, 2011, Taxpayers to Recall Robert Wirch officially registered with the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board as a result of the 2011 Wisconsin protests.[4] 13,537 valid signatures of electors residing within the 22nd District had to be collected by April 25, 2011 to generate a recall election. On April 21, Taxpayers to Recall Robert Wirch filed 18,300 signatures with Wisconsin's Government Accountability Board.[5] On August 16, 2011, Wirch won 57% of the vote in a recall election, defeating Republican Jonathan Steitz.[6]

Personal life

Wirch and his wife reside in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin.

Electoral history

Wisconsin 22nd Senate District Recall Election 2011
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Democratic Robert Wirch (incumbent) 25,541 57.49
Republican Jonathan Steitz 18,838 42.51
Wisconsin 22nd Senate District Election 2008
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Democratic Robert Wirch (incumbent) 54,937 66.74
Republican Benjamin Bakke 27,374 33.26
Wisconsin 22nd Senate District Election 2004
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Democratic Robert Wirch (incumbent) 42,097 52.14
Republican Reince Priebus 38,644 47.86
Wisconsin 22nd Senate District Election 2000
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Democratic Robert Wirch (incumbent) 39,321 55.98
Republican Dave Duecker 30,897 43.99
Wisconsin 22nd Senate District Election 1996
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Democratic Robert Wirch 33,847 56.81
Republican Bruno Rizzo 25,728 43.19

References

  1. ↑
  2. ↑ "Senator Robert Wirch profile". Wisconsin State Legislature. Retrieved April 27, 2011.
  3. ↑ Glauber, Bill (February 20, 2011). "In Illinois, Wisconsin Senate Democrats vow unity". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved April 27, 2011.
  4. ↑ "Taxpayers to Recall Robert Wirch". Wisconsin Government Accountability Board. March 9, 2011. Retrieved April 27, 2011.
  5. ↑ Tolan, Tom (April 21, 2011). "Recall petitions filed against 4 lawmakers". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved April 27, 2011.
  6. ↑ "August 16 Wisconsin recall election results". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. August 17, 2011. Retrieved August 17, 2011.
Wisconsin State Senate
Preceded by
Joseph Andrea		 Wisconsin State Senator - 22nd District
1996 – Incumbent 		Succeeded by
Incumbent
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