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Rebecca Kleefisch

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Rebecca Kleefisch
44th Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 3, 2011
GovernorScott K. Walker
Preceded byBarbara Lawton
Personal details
Born
Rebecca Reed

(1975-08-07) August 7, 1975 (age 49)
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Political partyRepublican
SpouseJoel Kleefisch
ResidenceOconomowoc, Wisconsin
ProfessionFormer news anchor WIFR-TV in Rockford, Illinois, WISN-TV in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Rebecca Kleefisch (born August 7, 1975) is a former television news anchor, turned American politician, and is currently serving as the 44th Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin.[1] She was elected to the position on November 2, 2010, as the running mate of Republican Governor Scott Walker.[2] She and Walker are the subjects of a recall election scheduled to take place on June 5, 2012.[3]

Early life, education and career

Rebecca Reed was born on August 7, 1975 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin–Madison.[4] She was a reporter for WIFR-TV in Rockford, Illinois, and then was a reporter and later morning anchor for WISN-TV in Milwaukee,[4] before leaving in 2004. Kleefisch formed her own company, Rebecca Kleefisch Enterprises, Inc. and was a contributor to Charlie Sykes's program on WTMJ Radio in Milwaukee.

Political career

Kleefisch's first attempt at politics began when she ran for Lieutenant Governor in 2010. She declared her candidacy live via webcam from her kitchen table, expressing concern for the future of her children and touting her "kitchen table common sense."

Kleefisch's staunch conservative ideals and campaigning abilities quickly garnered notice, including an appearance on Fox News to discuss the rise of conservative women who were called "Mama Grizzlies," a term coined by former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin.[5] Her campaign received wide recognition for its use of social media, employing heavy use of her Facebook[6] and Twitter[7] feeds to engage voters and build her message.

Same-sex marriage

Kleefisch made national news during the Wisconsin gubernatorial race in October 2010 when footage of an interview she had done just weeks after she announced her run was uncovered. The hour-long interview contained footage where she showed concern about changing existing marriage laws and discussed where marriage laws might go if changed.

This doesn't just have roots in the Bible. This has roots in fiscal common sense. We can't, at this point, afford to just be handing out money to anyone. This is a slippery slope in addition to that — at what point are we going to okay marrying inanimate objects? Can I marry this table, or this — you know, clock? Can we marry dogs? This is ridiculous. Biblically, again I'm going to go right back to my fundamental Christian beliefs, marriage is between one man and one woman.[8][9]

The story became national news[10][11][12] after it was discovered that Kleefisch's uncle Chris Pfauser has been in an openly gay relationship for 18 years, and Pfauser said after hearing the comments he would vote for his niece's opponent. Kleefisch later apologized for her comments.

The Walker/Kleefisch ticket won the general election on November 2, 2010 and she is the Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin.

Tenure

As she promised in her campaign, once elected, Lieutenant Governor Kleefisch immediately began cold calling businesses from neighboring states, encouraging them to come to Wisconsin, which she declared "Open For Business." The first business she called, FatWallet.com, took her up on her offer and moved its headquarters to Wisconsin.[13][failed verification]

Kleefisch was credited for helping to broker the growth of a Two Rivers, Wisconsin business. Formrite's owner, Dave Wage, said he contacted state officials regarding a potential $9 million a year contract with Caterpillar. Kleefisch was on the phone with him immediately. "She said, 'Dave, rest assured the state will do everything it can do … tell Caterpillar you are working with the state on funding for this project,'" Wage recalled. The result was an expansion and addition of 60 jobs.[14]

Kleefisch has been designated by Governor Walker as the administration’s liaison to the state’s small business community. In that capacity, she has hosted 25 Small Business Roundtables in 2011, traveling Wisconsin and listening to small business owners describe their situation and needs.[15]

Rebecca Kleefisch was also selected to chair Scott Walker's subcabinet on workforce investment that developed the Wisconsin Working Plan.[16]

Walker ran on a campaign promising to add 250,000 jobs in Wisconsin. Under Walker and Kleefisch's guidance, the State's Unemployment rate fell to its lowest since 2008, and added 15,700 jobs in January 2012.[17] There are no reports stating if these are full-time, part-time, or temporary jobs, and what the salaries are.

Recall

Main article: Wisconsin gubernatorial recall election, 2012

Following a contentious collective bargaining dispute in 2011, there was an effort to recall Governor Walker and Kleefisch. The state's Government Accountability Board determined there are more than 800,000 valid signatures to hold a recall election.[18] The recall election has been scheduled for June 5, 2012.[19] The recall election has been particularly nasty with people personally insulting the Governor and Lt. Governor. with for example John "Sly" Sylvester, of at radio station WTDY Madison, WI, stating ""I'm Rebecca Kleefisch. I perform fellatio on all the talk show hosts in Milwaukee." as well as "I'm sure you got a precocious little daughter you put in little Jon Benet contests", and about the son she does not have "I'm sure you have a little jock son," [20]

Personal life

Kleefisch is married to State Assemblyman Joel Kleefisch, who was also a reporter for WISN-TV. They have two daughters.[21]

Illness

In late August 2010, Kleefish was diagnosed with colon cancer.[22] She had a tumor removed on September 2, 12 days before she won the primary election.[22] Although she is currently cancer free, two days after she was elected, Kleefisch began elective chemotherapy to ensure that the cancer does not return.[23] By April 2011 she had finished treatment for chemotherapy.[24] She informed running mate Scott Walker about the tumor after they both won the Republican primaries. During the 2010 election campaign Kleefisch ran an ad critical of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, President Barack Obama's health care reform legislation.[25][26][27]

References

  1. ^ 'Wisconsin Blue Book 2011-2012,' Biographical Sketch of Rebecca Kleefisch, pg. 4
  2. ^ "Walker wins governor's race on promise of jobs", Milwaukee Journal Sentinal, November 3, 2010.
  3. ^ Spicuzza, Mary (March 31, 2012). "Recall elections ordered for Walker, Kleefisch, 4 GOP senators". Wisconsin State Journal.
  4. ^ a b Sykes, Charlie. "Update: Rebecca Kleefisch Announces". WTMJ (AM). Retrieved 29 December 2010.
  5. ^ Prast, Kyle (July 23, 2010). "Lt. Gov. candidate Rebecca Kleefisch on Fox & Friends, Sun. 8:45am". BrookfieldNOW. Retrieved March 31, 2012.
  6. ^ "Rebecca Kleefisch Official Facebook". Retrieved 1 January 2010.
  7. ^ "Rebecca Kleefisch Official Twitter". Retrieved 1 January 2010.
  8. ^ Bice, Daniel (October 28, 2010). "Kleefisch's uncle objects to anti-gay marriage statement". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved 2011-01-13.
  9. ^ "After Comments, Kleefisch's Gay Uncle Supporting Opponent", WISN 12 News, October 28, 2010.
  10. ^ "Kleefisch apologizes for gay marriage comment", The Boston Globe, October 28, 2010.
  11. ^ Shahid, Aliyah (October 29, 2010). "GOP candidate, Rebecca Kleefisch, in Wisconsin: Sorry for comparing gay marriage to marrying a dog". NYDailyNews.com. Retrieved 2011-01-13.
  12. ^ "WI GOPer Apologizes For Comparing Gay Marriage To Bestiality Or Marrying A Table", Talking Points Memo DC, October 29, 2010.
  13. ^ "UPDATE: Beloit City Council approves FatWallet lease". WREX. April 1, 2011.
  14. ^ "Two Rivers plant to hire 60 new workers". State Representative Andre Jacque. Retrieved March 31, 2012.
  15. ^ Search results roundtable rebeccaforreal.com
  16. ^ "Governor Walker Introduces Initial Phase of "Wisconsin Working" Plan" (PDF). Retrieved March 31, 2012.
  17. ^ "Bureau of Labor Statistics Release: Regional and State Employment and Unemployment - January 2012" (PDF). Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved 13 March 2012.
  18. ^ "GAB staff finds more than 900,000 valid signatures to recall Walker". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved 30 March 2012.
  19. ^ Ramde, Dinesh (March 14, 2012). "Judge approves May 8, June 5 recall dates". Wisconsin Law Journal. Retrieved March 31, 2012.
  20. ^ {{cite news|title=Media Silent as Left Attacks Kids of WI Lt. Gov.|url=http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Journalism/2012/03/30/Kleefisch-audio-sexist-attacks
  21. ^ "Bio". rebeccaforreal.com. Retrieved March 31, 2012.
  22. ^ a b Stein, Jason (September 29, 2010). "Kleefisch treated for cancer". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
  23. ^ "Statement From Scott Walker and Rebecca Kleefisch" (Press release). Scottwalker.org. November 4, 2010. Retrieved March 31, 2012.
  24. ^ Schneider, Jim. "In Focus: Rebecca Kleefisch". WVCY-TV. Retrieved 15 April 2011.
  25. ^ Spicuzza, Mary (November 4, 2010). "Politics blog: Lt. Gov.-elect Kleefisch begins chemotherapy". Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved March 31, 2012.
  26. ^ Stein, Jason (October 13, 2010). "Kleefisch cites surgery, not insurance". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved March 31, 2012.
  27. ^ "PolitiFact: "Government takeover" claim gets Pants on Fire rating". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. October 17, 2010. Retrieved March 31, 2012.
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