Charles Chvala

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Chuck Chvala
Majority Leader of the Wisconsin Senate
In office
January 4, 1999 – October 21, 2002
Preceded byMichael Ellis
Succeeded byRuss Decker & Fred Risser (interim co-leaders)
In office
June 14, 1996 – April 1998
Preceded byMichael Ellis
Succeeded byMichael Ellis
Minority Leader of the Wisconsin Senate
In office
April 1998 – January 4, 1999
Preceded byMichael Ellis
Succeeded byMichael Ellis
In office
October 1995 – June 14, 1996
Preceded byRobert Jauch
Succeeded byMichael Ellis
Member of the Wisconsin Senate
from the 16th district
In office
January 7, 1985 – January 3, 2005
Preceded byCarl W. Thompson
Succeeded byMark F. Miller
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly
from the 98th district
In office
January 3, 1983 – January 7, 1985
Preceded byEdward Jackamonis
Succeeded byPeggy Rosenzweig
Personal details
Born (1954-12-05) December 5, 1954 (age 69)
Merrill, Wisconsin, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Spouses
  • Tracyjean E. Rebenstorff
    ​
    ​
    (m. 1978; div. 1988)​
  • Barbara Worcester
    ​
    (m. 1991)​
Children2
Parents
ResidenceMadison, Wisconsin
Alma materUniversity of Wisconsin–Madison

Charles Joseph "Chuck" Chvala (born December 5, 1954) is an American real estate dealer, lawyer, and former politician. He served 20 years in the Wisconsin State Senate, representing Dane County, and was the Democratic leader from 1995 through 2002. His political career was ended by a 2002 scandal which found he and other lawmakers had illegally utilized state employees for campaign work.

Early life[edit]

Born in Merrill, Wisconsin, Chvala's family moved to Madison where he attended La Follette High School, and served as a student member of the Madison School Board.[1] He earned his bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 1978 and the same year earned his J.D. from the University of Wisconsin Law School.[2]

Career[edit]

Both of Chvala's parents were teachers in the Madison School District, and famously led a strike in the 1970s. His parents' involvement with the teachers' union was a springboard for his entrance into politics. He made his first run for Wisconsin State Assembly in 1978, relying on union support in the Democratic primary.[3] He ultimately fell 174 votes short of David Travis, another first time candidate who would also go on to become a Democratic caucus leader in the 1990s.[4]

Between 1978 and 1982, Chvala worked as a lawyer and legislative consultant in Madison. His clients included the Wisconsin Pharmaceutical Association and the Citizens Utility Board. He also served the boards of the non-profit organizations Vets House and The Attic.[5]

Legislative career[edit]

Following the court-ordered redistricting of 1982, Chvala ran in the newly drawn 98th Assembly district. Due to the drastic redistricting, there was no incumbent in the district. Chvala prevailed over a field of five Democrats in the primary, and went on to receive 70% of the vote in the general election.[6]

In 1983, the Legislature passed another redistricting plan, superseding the court-ordered plan. Chvala chose to run for Wisconsin State Senate in 1984, in the redrawn 16th Senate district, which now stretched from Madison's east side through eastern Dane County, western Rock County, and across Green County. This time, Chvala faced no opposition in the Democratic primary, but had a more competitive general election, receiving 54% of the vote over Republican Thomas L. Storm.[7] He was subsequently re-elected four times, serving until 2005.

Gubernatorial campaign[edit]

Main article: 1994 Wisconsin gubernatorial election

In 1994, Chvala sought to challenge incumbent Republican Governor Tommy Thompson. Chvala faced no opposition in the Democratic primary, but lost to Thompson in a landslide, receiving only 31% of the statewide vote.[8]

Senate leadership[edit]

From 1995 to 2002 he led Senate Democrats during a time of razor-thin, one-vote party balances, leading to flips between Democratic and Republican leadership control. For example, Chvala was majority leader in early 1998, but in April Republican Mary Lazich won a special election to replace Democratic Sen. Lynn Adelman, who had been appointed to the federal bench, which flipped control of the 17-16 chamber to Republicans, making Chvala minority leader. A few months later, Democrats won in the fall elections by a one-seat margin, flipping control back in January 1999, making Chvala majority leader again.[9]

In the fall of 2002, Chvala and other legislative leaders were ensnared in a scandal arising from the use of state legislative staffers and resources for political campaign duties. He was charged with 20 felony counts, including extortion, misconduct in public office, and filing false election reports. He pleaded guilty to two counts, and was sentenced to nine months in jail with two years of probation.[10]

After the legislature[edit]

While on probation, Chvala became involved in the real estate market in collaboration with his daughter, who was a licensed broker. His law license, which had been suspended following his guilty plea, was reinstated in 2008, enabling him to resume his legal practice.[11] He also serves as a regular contributor to The Insiders, a political commentary series in Wisconsin.[12][13][14]

Personal life and family[edit]

Chvala married Tracyjean Rebenstorff in June 1978.[15] They had two children together before divorcing in 1988.[16]

Chvala subsequently married Barbara Worcester, a Senate legislative staffer, in 1991.[17] Worcester continued her career in government after Chvala's resignation and served for many years as chief of staff to Democratic Senate leader Russ Decker. She now works as deputy chief of staff to Governor Tony Evers.[18]

Electoral history[edit]

Wisconsin Assembly (1978, 1982)[edit]

Wisconsin Assembly, 37th District Election, 1978[19]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Primary, September 12, 1978
Democratic David M. Travis 2,043 31.61%
Democratic Charles J. Chvala 1,869 28.92%
Democratic Harold F. Klubertanz 1,624 25.13%
Democratic S. Michael Shivers 564 8.73%
Democratic Jeanne M. Tabbutt 363 5.61%
Total votes 6,463 100%
Wisconsin Assembly, 98th District Election, 1982[20]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Primary, September 14, 1982
Democratic Charles J. Chvala 3,579 42.93%
Democratic Norman A. Cummings 1,497 17.96%
Democratic Rita Wlodarczyk 1,367 16.4%
Democratic Jane Hoepker 1,181 14.17%
Democratic Judson Knoll 712 8.54%
Total votes 8336 100%
General Election, November 3, 1982
Democratic Charles J. Chvala 11,338 69.9%
Republican Robert T. Stanek 4,881 30.09%
Total votes 16,219 100%

Wisconsin Senate (1984–2000)[edit]

Year Election Date Elected Defeated Total Plurality
1984[7] General November 6 Charles Chvala Democratic 34,296 54.03% Thomas L. Storm Rep. 29,177 45.97% 63,473 5,119
1988[21] General November 8 Charles Chvala (inc.) Democratic 40,586 62.47% J. Michael Blaca Rep. 24,379 37.53% 64,965 16,207
1992[22] General November 3 Charles Chvala (inc.) Democratic 46,888 63.63% Eric D. Gordon Rep. 26,799 36.37% 73,687 20,089
1996[23] General November 5 Charles Chvala (inc.) Democratic 39,618 53.67% Tom Metcalfe Rep. 32,997 44.70% 73,819 6,621
Mike A. Oprish Lib. 1,204 1.63%
2000[24] General November 7 Charles Chvala (inc.) Democratic 51,076 57.93% Lisa B. Nelson Rep. 37,037 42.01% 88,168 14,039

Wisconsin Governor (1994)[edit]

Wisconsin Gubernatorial Election, 1994[8]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
General Election, November 8, 1994
Republican Tommy Thompson (incumbent)
& Scott McCallum (incumbent) 		1,051,326 67.26% +9.08%
Democratic Charles Chvala
& Dorothy K. Dean 		482,850 30.89% -10.89%
Libertarian David S. Harmon
& Kevin J. Robinson 		11,639 0.74%
Constitution Edward J. Frami
& Michael J. O'Hare 		9,188 0.59%
Independent Michael J. Mangan 8,150 0.52%
Scattering 682 0.04%
Plurality 568,476 36.35% +19.97%
Total votes 1,563,153 100.0% +13.34%
Republican hold

References[edit]

  1. ^ Anderson, Andrea (July 18, 2013). "La Follette alumni celebrate 50 years". Wisconsin State Journal. p. 3. Retrieved October 25, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ "Chvala, Chuck 1954". Wisconsin Historical Society. Retrieved October 25, 2021.
  3. ^ Crusan, Liz (September 8, 1978). "37th Assembly District has lively race". The Capital Times. p. 3. Retrieved October 25, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ Theobald, H. Rupert; Robbins, Patricia V., eds. (1979). "Elections" (PDF). The state of Wisconsin 1979-1980 Blue Book (Report). Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. pp. 906, 925. Retrieved October 25, 2021.
  5. ^ "Five Democrats in 98th Assembly primary". Wisconsin State Journal. September 2, 1982. p. 6. Retrieved October 25, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ Theobald, H. Rupert; Robbins, Patricia V., eds. (1983). "Elections" (PDF). The state of Wisconsin 1983-1984 Blue Book (Report). Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. pp. 892, 912. Retrieved October 25, 2021.
  7. ^ a b Theobald, H. Rupert; Robbins, Patricia V., eds. (1985). "Elections" (PDF). The state of Wisconsin 1985-1986 Blue Book (Report). Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. pp. 903, 921. Retrieved October 25, 2021.
  8. ^ a b Barish, Lawrence S., ed. (1995). "Elections" (PDF). State of Wisconsin 1995-1996 Blue Book (Report). Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. pp. 891, 912. Retrieved October 25, 2021.
  9. ^ Democrats set targets for more Senate seats, by Pete Millard, Milwaukee Business Journal, June 4, 2000, retrieved June 23, 2020
  10. ^ Court of Appeals of Wisconsin-Published Opinion-Case 03-0442 CR-State of Wisconsin, Plaintiff-Respondent v. Charles Chvala, Defendant-Appellant
  11. ^ Walters, Steven (September 19, 2008). "Chvala gets his law license back". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved October 25, 2021.
  12. ^ Wispolitics.com, June 12, 2020, retrieved June 16, 2020
  13. ^ ExploreLawyers.com, retrieved June 16, 2020
  14. ^ PropertyDrive.com, retrieved June 16, 2020
  15. ^ "Rebenstorff-Chvala". Wisconsin State Journal. March 12, 1978. p. 78. Retrieved October 25, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ^ "Dane County Case Number 1988FA001963 Charles J Chvala Vs Tracyjean E Chvala". Wisconsin Circuit Court Access. December 30, 1988. Retrieved October 25, 2021.
  17. ^ "Good times". Wisconsin State Journal. July 21, 1991. p. 15. Retrieved October 25, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  18. ^ Sommerhauser, Mark; Vetterkind, Riley (January 6, 2019). "Evers' Cabinet". Wisconsin State Journal. p. A8. Retrieved October 25, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  19. ^ Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau (1979). "Vote for Representatives to the Assembly by District, page 906". In Theobald, H. Rupert; Robbins, Patricia V. (eds.). State of Wisconsin 1979-1980 Blue Book (Report). Madison, Wisconsin: State of Wisconsin.
  20. ^ Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau (1983). "Vote for Representatives to the Assembly by District, pages 892, 912". In Theobald, H. Rupert; Robbins, Patricia V. (eds.). State of Wisconsin 1983-1984 Blue Book (Report). Madison, Wisconsin: State of Wisconsin. Retrieved June 17, 2020.
  21. ^ Barish, Lawrence S.; Theobald, H. Rupert, eds. (1989). "Elections" (PDF). State of Wisconsin 1989-1990 Blue Book (Report). Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. pp. 907, 922. Retrieved October 25, 2021.
  22. ^ Barish, Lawrence S.; Theobald, H. Rupert, eds. (1993). "Elections" (PDF). State of Wisconsin 1993-1994 Blue Book (Report). Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. pp. 900, 919. Retrieved October 25, 2021.
  23. ^ Barish, Lawrence S., ed. (1997). "Elections" (PDF). State of Wisconsin 1997-1998 Blue Book (Report). Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. pp. 888–889. Retrieved October 25, 2021.
  24. ^ Results of Fall General Election - 11/07/2000 (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin State Elections Board. May 10, 2001. p. 8. Retrieved October 25, 2021.

External links[edit]

Party political offices
Preceded by Democratic nominee for Governor of Wisconsin
1994 		Succeeded by
Wisconsin State Assembly
Preceded by Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the 98th district
January 3, 1983 – January 7, 1985 		Succeeded by
Wisconsin Senate
Preceded by Member of the Wisconsin Senate from the 16th district
January 7, 1985 – January 3, 2005 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Minority Leader of the Wisconsin Senate
October 1995 – June 14, 1996 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Majority Leader of the Wisconsin Senate
June 14, 1996 – April 1998 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Minority Leader of the Wisconsin Senate
April 1998 – January 4, 1999 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Majority Leader of the Wisconsin Senate
January 4, 1999  – October 21, 2002 		Succeeded by
Russ Decker & Fred Risser (interim co-leaders)
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