Robert Wirch | |
|---|---|
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| Member of the Wisconsin Senate from the 22nd district | |
| Assumed office January 6, 1997 | |
| Preceded by | Joseph F. Andrea |
| Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the 65th district | |
| In office January 4, 1993 – January 6, 1997 | |
| Preceded by | John Antaramian |
| Succeeded by | John Steinbrink |
| Member of the Kenosha County Board of Supervisors | |
| In office 1986–1994 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 16, 1943 Kenosha, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Mary Wirch
(m. 1973; died 2020) |
| Children | David, Julia |
| Residence(s) | Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Alma mater | University of Wisconsin–Parkside (BA) |
| Profession | Factory worker |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Army U.S. Army Reserve |
| Years of service | 1965–1971 |
Robert W. Wirch (born November 16, 1943) is an American politician serving as a Democratic member of the Wisconsin State Senate, representing the 22nd district since 1997. He previously served in the Wisconsin State Assembly from 1993 through 1997.
Early life and education
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.
Career
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 was re-elected in 1994. In 1996, Wirch chose to run for Wisconsin Senate in the seat vacated by retiring senator Joseph F. Andrea. Wirch was elected to the Senate in 1996 and has been reelected six times, including his 2004 victory over future White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus,[1] and his 2011 victory against a recall attempt. 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 resides in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin. Mary, his wife of 47 years, died on February 23, 2020, from complications related to gall bladder cancer. They have a son, David, and a daughter, Julia.
Electoral history
Wisconsin Assembly (1992-1994)
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Election | |||||
| Democratic | Robert W. Wirch | 3,229 | 40.66% | ||
| Democratic | Wanda Lynn Bellow | 2,085 | 26.26% | ||
| Democratic | Stephen P. Casey | 1,780 | 22.42% | ||
| Republican | Darnell H. Mason | 847 | 10.67% | ||
| Total votes | 7,941 | 100.0% | |||
| General Election | |||||
| Democratic | Robert W. Wirch | 15,144 | 74.13% | ||
| Republican | Darnell H. Mason | 5,286 | 25.87% | ||
| Total votes | 20,430 | 100.0% | |||
| Democratic hold | |||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Election | |||||
| Democratic | Robert W. Wirch (incumbent) | 2,813 | 77.58% | ||
| Republican | Walter E. Velden | 813 | 22.42% | ||
| Total votes | 3,626 | 100.0% | |||
| General Election | |||||
| Democratic | Robert W. Wirch (incumbent) | 10,722 | 69.34% | ||
| Republican | Walter E. Velden | 4,741 | 30.66% | ||
| Total votes | 15,463 | 100.0% | |||
| Democratic hold | |||||
Wisconsin Senate (1996-2020)
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Election | |||||
| Democratic | Robert W. Wirch | 16,136 | 82.91% | ||
| Republican | Bruno M. Rizzo | 2,317 | 11.90% | ||
| Republican | Marcus Donegan | 1,010 | 5.19% | ||
| Total votes | 19,463 | 100.0% | |||
| General Election | |||||
| Democratic | Robert W. Wirch | 33,847 | 56.81% | ||
| Republican | Bruno M. Rizzo | 25,728 | 43.19% | ||
| Total votes | 59,575 | 100.0% | |||
| Democratic hold | |||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Election[10] | |||||
| Democratic | Robert W. Wirch (incumbent) | 8,884 | 77.43% | ||
| Republican | Dave Duecker | 2,580 | 22.49% | ||
| Write-ins | 9 | 0.08% | |||
| Total votes | 11,473 | 100.0% | |||
| General Election[11] | |||||
| Democratic | Robert W. Wirch (incumbent) | 39,321 | 55.98% | ||
| Republican | Dave Duecker | 30,897 | 43.99% | ||
| Write-ins | 26 | 0.04% | |||
| Total votes | 70,244 | 100.0% | +17.91% | ||
| Democratic hold | |||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Election[12] | |||||
| Democratic | Robert W. Wirch (incumbent) | 7,301 | 51.97% | ||
| Republican | Reince Priebus | 6,730 | 47.91% | ||
| Write-ins | 17 | 0.12% | |||
| Total votes | 14,048 | 100.0% | |||
| General Election[13] | |||||
| Democratic | Robert W. Wirch (incumbent) | 42,097 | 52.11% | ||
| Republican | Reince Priebus | 38,644 | 47.84% | ||
| Write-ins | 38 | 0.05% | |||
| Total votes | 80,779 | 100.0% | +15.00% | ||
| Democratic hold | |||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Election[14] | |||||
| Democratic | Robert W. Wirch (incumbent) | 7,608 | 81.08% | ||
| Republican | Benjamin Lee Bakke | 1,698 | 18.10% | ||
| Write-ins | 77 | 0.82% | |||
| Total votes | 14,048 | 100.0% | |||
| General Election[15] | |||||
| Democratic | Robert W. Wirch (incumbent) | 54,946 | 66.65% | ||
| Republican | Benjamin Lee Bakke | 27,383 | 33.21% | ||
| Write-ins | 115 | 0.14% | |||
| Total votes | 82,444 | 100.0% | +2.06% | ||
| Democratic hold | |||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Election[16] | |||||
| Republican | Jonathan Steitz | 5,981 | 61.06% | ||
| Republican | Fred R. Ekornaas | 3,369 | 34.39% | ||
| Write-ins | 446 | 4.55% | |||
| Total votes | 9,796 | 100.0% | |||
| General Election[17] | |||||
| Democratic | Robert W. Wirch (incumbent) | 26,524 | 57.35% | ||
| Republican | Jonathan Steitz | 19,662 | 42.51% | ||
| Independent | Brian Harwood (write-in) | 23 | 0.05% | ||
| Write-ins | 42 | 0.09% | |||
| Total votes | 46,251 | 100.0% | -43.90% | ||
| Democratic hold | |||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Election[18] | |||||
| Democratic | Robert W. Wirch (incumbent) | 5,575 | 49.78% | ||
| Republican | Pam Stevens | 5,574 | 49.77% | ||
| Write-ins | 51 | 0.46% | |||
| Total votes | 11,200 | 100.0% | |||
| General Election[19] | |||||
| Democratic | Robert W. Wirch (incumbent) | 51,177 | 69.57% | ||
| Republican | Pam Stevens | 22,278 | 30.29% | ||
| Write-ins | 104 | 0.14% | |||
| Total votes | 73,559 | 100.0% | +59.04% | ||
| Democratic hold | |||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Election[20] | |||||
| Democratic | Robert W. Wirch (incumbent) | 6,057 | 97.80% | ||
| Write-ins | 136 | 2.20% | |||
| Total votes | 6,193 | 100.0% | |||
| General Election[21] | |||||
| Democratic | Robert W. Wirch (incumbent) | 50,841 | 98.16% | ||
| Write-ins | 953 | 1.84% | |||
| Total votes | 51,794 | 100.0% | -29.59% | ||
| Democratic hold | |||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Election[22] | |||||
| Democratic | Robert W. Wirch (incumbent) | 11,450 | 99.67% | ||
| Write-ins | 38 | .33% | |||
| Total votes | 11,645 | 100.0% | |||
| General Election[23] | |||||
| Democratic | Robert W. Wirch (incumbent) | 55,214 | 96.22% | ||
| Write-ins | 2,171 | 3.78% | |||
| Total votes | 57,385 | 100.0% | +10.79% | ||
| Democratic hold | |||||
References
- ↑ Huey-Burns, Caitlin (January 24, 2011). "10 Things You Didn't Know About Reince Priebus". U.S. News.
- ↑ "Senator Robert Wirch profile". Wisconsin State Legislature. Retrieved April 27, 2011.
- ↑ Glauber, Bill (February 20, 2011). "In Illinois, Wisconsin Senate Democrats vow unity". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved April 27, 2011.
- ↑ "Taxpayers to Recall Robert Wirch". Wisconsin Government Accountability Board. March 9, 2011. Retrieved April 27, 2011.
- ↑ Tolan, Tom (April 21, 2011). "Recall petitions filed against 4 lawmakers". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved April 27, 2011.
- ↑ "August 16 Wisconsin recall election results". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. August 17, 2011. Retrieved August 17, 2011.
- ↑ Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. "Elections in Wisconsin". State of Wisconsin 1993-1994 Blue Book (Report). State of Wisconsin. pp. 905, 922. Retrieved 2019-04-07.
- ↑ Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. "Elections in Wisconsin". State of Wisconsin 1995-1996 Blue Book (Report). State of Wisconsin. pp. 905, 922. Retrieved 2019-04-07.
- ↑ Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. "Elections in Wisconsin". State of Wisconsin 1997-1998 Blue Book (Report). State of Wisconsin. pp. 888, 889. Retrieved 2019-04-07.
- ↑ Results of Fall Primary Election (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin State Elections Board. 2000-09-12. p. 16. Retrieved 2019-04-07.
- ↑ Results of Fall General Election (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin State Elections Board. 2000-11-07. p. 9. Retrieved 2019-04-07.
- ↑ Results of Fall Primary Election (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin State Elections Board. 2004-09-14. p. 17. Retrieved 2019-04-07.
- ↑ Results of Fall General Election (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin State Elections Board. 2004-11-02. p. 9. Retrieved 2019-04-07.
- ↑ Results of Fall Primary Election (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin State Elections Board. 2008-09-09. p. 16. Retrieved 2019-04-07.
- ↑ Canvass Summary Fall General Election (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin State Elections Board. 2008-11-04. p. 11. Retrieved 2019-04-07.
- ↑ Canvass Results for 2011 Primary Recall Election State Senate 22 (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin State Elections Board. 2011-07-19. p. 1. Retrieved 2019-04-07.
- ↑ Canvass Results for 2011 Recall Election State Senate 22 (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin State Elections Board. 2011-08-16. p. 1. Retrieved 2019-04-07.
- ↑ Canvass Results for 2012 Partisan Primary (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin State Elections Board. 2012-08-14. p. 11. Retrieved 2019-04-07.
- ↑ Canvass Results for 2012 Presidential and General Election (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin State Elections Board. 2012-11-06. pp. 6, 7. Retrieved 2019-04-07.
- ↑ Canvass Results for 2016 Partisan Primary (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin State Elections Board. 2016-08-09. pp. 12, 13. Retrieved 2019-04-07.
- ↑ Canvass Results for 2016 General Election (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin State Elections Board. 2016-11-29. p. 7. Retrieved 2019-04-07.
- ↑ Canvass Results for 2020 Partisan Primary (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin State Elections Board. 2020-08-11. p. 9. Retrieved 2021-12-05.
- ↑ Canvass Results for 2020 General Election (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin State Elections Board. 2020-11-03. p. 6. Retrieved 2021-12-05.
External links
- Senator Robert Wirch at the Wisconsin State Legislature
- Bob Wirch for State Senate official campaign site
- Wisconsin Historical Society-Robert W. Wirch
- Profile at Vote Smart
- Campaign 2008 campaign contributions at Wisconsin Democracy Campaign
- 22nd Senate District, Senator Wirch in the Wisconsin Blue Book (2005–2006)
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