John Gard

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John Gard
75th Speaker of the Wisconsin Assembly
In office
January 6, 2003 – January 3, 2007
Preceded byScott Jensen
Succeeded byMichael Huebsch
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly
In office
January 4, 1993 – January 3, 2007
Preceded byCletus J. Vanderperren
Succeeded byJohn Nygren
Constituency89th district
In office
October 12, 1987 – January 4, 1993
Preceded byRichard P. Matty
Succeeded byRosemary Hinkfuss
Constituency88th district
Personal details
Born (1963-08-03) August 3, 1963 (age 60)
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Political partyRepublican
Spouse
​
(m. 1990)​
Children2
ResidenceSuamico, Wisconsin
Alma materUniversity of Wisconsin–La Crosse (B.A.)

John G. Gard (born August 3, 1963) is an American lobbyist and former politician. A Republican, he was the 75th Speaker of the Wisconsin State Assembly (2003–2007) and was a member of the Assembly for 19 years.[1] Gard also ran unsuccessfully for United States House of Representatives in Wisconsin's 8th congressional district in 2006 and 2008.

Early life and career[edit]

Gard was born in Milwaukee, but was raised on his family's dairy farm in rural Lena, Wisconsin.[2] He graduated from Lena High School and went on to earn his bachelor's degree in political science from University of Wisconsin–La Crosse in 1986.[1] Gard went to work as a legislative assistant to State Representative David Prosser Jr.[1]

Political career[edit]

Just a year after going to work for Prosser, at age 23, Gard made his first attempt at elected office in a 1987 special election called to replace Richard P. Matty, who was being appointed to the administration of Governor Tommy Thompson.[3] He ran his campaign out of his parents' farm, assisted by the volunteer efforts of his parents and seven siblings.[2] In September, Gard prevailed in a crowded seven-person Republican primary, which included Marinette County district attorney Tim Duket and Marinette Mayor Harold Pierce.[4][5] During the 1987 campaign, Gard declared his opposition to pending legislation which would mandate seat belt use.[6] In the October special election, he narrowly defeated Democrat Charles J. Boyle.[5]

Gard was sworn in on October 12, 1987, at Lena High School. The location was intended to accommodate his ailing grandfather, who could not travel to Madison. Gard's grandfather died, however, on the morning of the swearing-in ceremony.[7] At the time of his swearing-in, Gard was the youngest member of the Wisconsin Legislature.[7]

In 1990, Gard faced his closest election, surviving by a margin of just 45 votes after a recount.[8] Following the 1990 election, state redistricting removed Gard from the 88th district and placed him in the 89th district. After redistricting, Gard easily won a rematch with his 1990 opponent, Scott McCormick,[9] and subsequently won reelection to six more terms representing the 89th Assembly district.

Following the indictment of Scott Jensen in Fall 2002, the Assembly Republican caucus elected Gard the next Speaker of the Wisconsin State Assembly.[10] He served as speaker for the 96th and 97th Wisconsin Legislatures.

2006 Congressional race[edit]

See also: 2006 United States House of Representatives elections in Wisconsin § District 8

In 2006, Wisconsin Congressman Mark Green announced he would run for Governor of Wisconsin, creating a vacancy in the 8th congressional district. Gard chose to forego reelection to the Assembly enter the race to replace Green in the United States House of Representatives. In the September primary, he defeated State Representative Terri McCormick with nearly 70% of the vote.[11]

In the general election, Gard faced Democrat Steve Kagen, a medical doctor from Appleton, in what became the most expensive congressional race in Wisconsin history up to that point.[12] The district was considered a slightly Republican-leaning toss-up by pollsters and ratings organizations like The Cook Political Report.[13] The 2006 elections were driven by national issues like the Iraq War, healthcare, immigration, and earmark spending, and resulted in a Democratic wave, repudiating four years of Republican control of Washington, D.C.[12] Gard was able to carry his home county of Marinette with 51.4% of the vote and neighboring Oconto County, where he grew up, 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. The cumulative result was a narrow victory for Kagen, taking 50.9% of the general election vote.[14]

2008 Congressional race[edit]

See also: 2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Wisconsin § District 8

John Gard announced on Sunday April 27, 2008 that he would again run against Democratic incumbent Steve Kagen for 8th district representative.[15] 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 a count of 164,561 to 193,261.

Later years[edit]

Since leaving office, Gard has operated as a lobbyist to the state government. He and his wife co-own the Gard Business Group, through which they provide their lobbying services.[16] Among other clients, Gard has lobbied on behalf of Amazon.com and Google in the 2017, 2019, and 2021 sessions of the Wisconsin Legislature.

In the 2010 Wisconsin gubernatorial election, Gard supported former Representative Mark Neumann, serving as a co-chair of his campaign.[17]

Gard was also influential on behalf of Mike Gallagher in the 2016 Republican primary for the 8th congressional district. Gard was an outspoken surrogate for Gallagher and worked to raise funds for his campaign; he described Gallagher as a close family friend and likened him to a "young Paul Ryan."[18]

In 2020, in an emotional op-ed, Gard inserted himself into the debate over athletes kneeling as a form of silent protest against racism. Recalling the debate over state funding for Lambeau Field renovations in 2000, Gard asserted that the Green Bay Packers were disrespecting their community and ruining the franchise for fans like him.[19]

Personal life and family[edit]

Gard is one of 8 children born to Herbert and Dixie Gard. In 1990, he married fellow state representative Cathy Zeuske. Zeuske was also elected to the Assembly in her early 20s and would later go on to serve as the 31st State Treasurer of Wisconsin and 9th Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Revenue. They have two adult children and reside in Suamico, Wisconsin.[20]

Electoral history[edit]

Wisconsin Assembly, 88th district (1987–1990)[edit]

Year Election Date Elected Defeated Total Plurality
1987[9] Primary September 9 John G. Gard Republican 1,560 34.23% Tim A. Duket Rep. 968 21.24% 4,557 592
Harold A. Pierce Rep. 690 15.14%
Danny J. Kanack Rep. 483 10.60%
Corliss A. Lightner Rep. 375 8.23%
Walter C. Hitt Rep. 366 8.03%
Richard C. Johnson Rep. 115 2.52%
Special October 6 John G. Gard Republican 5,037 51.59% Charles J. Boyle Dem. 4,726 48.41% 9,763 311
1988[5] General November 8 John G. Gard (inc.) Republican 11,624 59.71% Gary Potasnik Dem. 7,843 40.29% 19,467 3,781
1990[8] General November 6 John G. Gard (inc.) Republican 6,991 50.16% Scott A. McCormick Dem. 6,946 49.84% 13,937 45

Wisconsin Assembly, 89th district (1992–2004)[edit]

Year Election Date Elected Defeated Total Plurality
1992[9] General November 3 John G. Gard Republican 14,826 64.02% Scott A. McCormick Dem. 8,331 35.98% 23,157 6,495
1994[21] General November 8 John G. Gard (inc.) Republican 10,325 68.53% Kim Fenske Dem. 4,742 31.47% 15,067 5,583
1996[22] General November 5 John G. Gard (inc.) Republican 14,113 66.67% Kim Fenske Dem. 7,056 33.33% 21,169 7,057
1998[23] General November 3 John G. Gard (inc.) Republican 13,088 97.96% Alan S. Hager (write-in) Dem. 272 2.04% 13,360 12,816
2000[24] General November 7 John G. Gard (inc.) Republican 18,372 72.65% Alan S. Hager Dem. 6,904 27.30% 25,290 11,468
2002[25] General November 5 John G. Gard (inc.) Republican 11,335 69.06% Alan S. Hager Dem. 4,501 27.42% 16,414 6,834
Justin Ingalls Lib. 308 1.88%
Jake Neta Ind. 257 1.57%
2004[26] General November 2 John G. Gard (inc.) Republican 18,216 63.81% Bruce J. Berman Dem. 10,318 36.15% 28,546 7,898

U.S. House of Representatives (2006)[edit]

Wisconsin's 8th Congressional District Election, 2006[11][14]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Primary, September 12, 2006
Republican John G. Gard 39,451 68.15%
Republican Terri McCormick 18,424 31.83%
Scattering 12 0.02%
Plurality 21,027 36.32%
Total votes 57,887 100.0%
General Election, November 7, 2006
Democratic Steve Kagen 141,570 50.90% +21.07%
Republican John G. Gard 135,622 48.76% -21.37%
Scattering 943 0.34%
Plurality 5,948 2.14% -38.16%
Total votes 278,135 100.0% -21.37%
Democratic gain from Republican Swing 42.44%

U.S. House of Representatives (2008)[edit]

Wisconsin's 8th Congressional District Election, 2008[27]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
General Election, November 4, 2008
Democratic Steve Kagen (incumbent) 193,662 54.00% +3.10%
Republican John G. Gard 164,621 45.90% -2.86%
Scattering 364 0.10%
Plurality 29,041 8.10% +5.96%
Total votes 358,647 100.0% +28.95%
Democratic hold

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c "Gard, John 1963". Wisconsin Historical Society. 8 August 2017. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  2. ^ a b Bruehl Bestul, Becky (October 11, 1987). "There's work to be done, says new area legislator". Green Bay Press-Gazette. Retrieved January 9, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ "Prosser aide will seek seat in state Assembly". The Post-Crescent. July 16, 1987. Retrieved January 9, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ Bruehl Bestul, Becky (September 9, 1987). "Gard, Boyle to vie for Assembly". Green Bay Press-Gazette. Retrieved January 9, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ a b c Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau (1989). "Elections" (PDF). In Barish, Lawrence S.; Theobald, H. Rupert (eds.). State of Wisconsin 1989-1990 Blue Book (Report). State of Wisconsin. pp. 909, 912, 925, 927. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  6. ^ Eggleston, Richard (October 9, 1987). "Buckle-up law passed by slim margin in Assembly". Green Bay Press-Gazette. Retrieved January 9, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ a b Bartelt, James (October 13, 1987). "Gard takes Assembly oath despite grandfather's death". Green Bay Press-Gazette. Retrieved January 9, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ a b Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau (1991). "Elections" (PDF). In Barish, Lawrence S.; Theobald, H. Rupert (eds.). State of Wisconsin 1991-1992 Blue Book (Report). State of Wisconsin. pp. 901, 917. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  9. ^ a b c Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau (1993). "Elections" (PDF). In Barish, Lawrence S.; Theobald, H. Rupert (eds.). State of Wisconsin 1993-1994 Blue Book (Report). State of Wisconsin. pp. 906, 923. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  10. ^ Weier, Anita (November 13, 2002). "GOP elects Gard speaker". The Capital Times. p. 2. Retrieved January 9, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ a b Results of Fall Primary Election - 09/12/2006 (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin State Elections Board. October 17, 2006. p. 14. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 11, 2021. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  12. ^ a b Benton Cooney, Jessica (December 21, 2006). "Rep.-elect Kagen Tries to Gain Political Traction". The New York Times. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  13. ^ "2006 Competitive House Race Chart" (PDF). The Cook Political Report. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 5, 2008. Retrieved January 9, 2021 – via Wayback Machine.
  14. ^ a b Results of Fall General Election - 11/07/2006 (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin State Elections Board. December 5, 2006. p. 6. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 11, 2022. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  15. ^ "Home". gardforcongress.com.
  16. ^ "Our Team". Gard Business Group. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  17. ^ "Gard supports Neumann for guv". Retrieved May 18, 2022.
  18. ^ Stein, Jason (June 8, 2016). "John Gard playing role in 8th Congressional District primary". Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  19. ^ Gard, John (October 26, 2020). "John Gard: The anthem still matters to some of us". Wispolitics.com. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  20. ^ Hildebrand, Scott (December 23, 1990). "Zeuske, Gard elect for hectic life". Green Bay Press-Gazette. Madison, Wisconsin. Retrieved January 9, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  21. ^ Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau (1995). "Elections" (PDF). In Barish, Lawrence S. (ed.). State of Wisconsin 1995-1996 Blue Book (Report). State of Wisconsin. pp. 905, 923. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  22. ^ Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau (1997). "Elections" (PDF). In Barish, Lawrence S. (ed.). State of Wisconsin 1997-1998 Blue Book (Report). State of Wisconsin. pp. 902, 905. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  23. ^ Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau (1999). "Elections" (PDF). In Barish, Lawrence S.; Meloy, Patricia E. (eds.). State of Wisconsin 1999-2000 Blue Book (Report). State of Wisconsin. pp. 881, 884. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  24. ^ Results of Fall General Election - 11/07/2000 (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin State Elections Board. May 10, 2001. p. 39. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 10, 2021. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  25. ^ Results of Fall General Election - 11/05/2002 (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin State Elections Board. December 2, 2002. p. 41. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 12, 2020. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  26. ^ Results of Fall General Election - 11/02/2004 (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin State Elections Board. December 1, 2004. p. 41. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 11, 2022. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  27. ^ Fall General Election - 11/04/2008 (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin State Elections Board. November 21, 2008. p. 9. Retrieved January 9, 2021.

External links[edit]

Wisconsin State Assembly
Preceded by Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the 88th district
October 12, 1987 – January 4, 1993 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the 89th district
January 4, 1993 – January 3, 2007 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Speaker of the Wisconsin State Assembly
January 6, 2003 – January 3, 2007 		Succeeded by
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