Martha Laning
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Martha Laning | |
|---|---|
| Chairman of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin | |
| Assumed office June 6, 2015 | |
| Preceded by | Mike Tate |
Martha Kniess Laning (born 1961 or 1962) is the chairperson of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. A businessperson, activist, and politician from Plymouth, Wisconsin, Laning was elected Democratic chairperson on June 5, 2015.
Life and political career
Laning received her undergraduate and master's degrees from the University of Wisconsin.[1] She was employed by Target Stores and Kraft Foods before moving to Plymouth, Wisconsin, where she worked as executive director of the Plymouth Intergenerational Center.[2] She was also one of the founders of the organization, which was started in 2009.[3] She resigned as director "for personal reasons" in 2013.[3]
In 2013, Laning announced that she would challenge state Senator Joe Leibham, a Republican, for reelection to his 9th District.[4] This would be her first time running for office as she had no prior political experience.[5] Leibham did not seek reelection, instead pursuing the Republican congressional nomination for Wisconsin's 6th congressional district, so Laning faced Sheboygan County Board Chairman Devin LeMahieu in the 2014 general election.[6] Laning was defeated in the election, losing by about 20 percentage points.[2]
In 2015, Laning announced her candidacy to succeed outgoing Democratic Party of Wisconsin chairperson Mike Tate. The campaign for the chairmanship was crowded and contentious; Laning faced former party chair Joe Wineke, Milwaukee consultant Jason Rae, and former state representatives Jeff Smith and Stephen Smith.[7] Prior to the party convention in Milwaukee, Jeff Smith controversially offered Laning the party's executive directorship if she exited the race; she declined the offer,[7] and Smith ultimately dropped out of the race and endorsed Laning. On June 5, 2015, she was elected chairperson at the party's annual convention in Milwaukee receiving 721 votes to Rae's 428 and Wineke's 191.[7]
Laning attended the 2016 Democratic National Convention as a super-delegate, and pledged support to Hillary Clinton over Bernie Sanders.[citation needed] In July of 2017, she was re-elected to the head of of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin.[8]
References
- ^ "Martha Laning's Biography". Project Vote Smart. One Common Ground. Retrieved 2 August 2015.
- ^ a b Smathers, Jason (18 June 2015). "Laning: Less Walker, more issues for state Dem Party". Sheboygan Press. Retrieved 2 August 2015.
- ^ a b "Laning Resigns from Plymouth Intergenerational Center Post". The Sheboygan Press. 2013-04-05. pp. A8. Retrieved 2017-10-30 – via Newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|dead-url=(help) - ^ Rochester, Chris (14 November 2013). "Senator Joe Leibham to face Martha Laning: 9th Senate District". Morning Martini. Retrieved 2 August 2015.
- ^ "Clipped From The Sheboygan Press". The Sheboygan Press. 2013-10-24. pp. A1. Retrieved 2017-10-30.
- ^ Mathews, Charlie. "GOP's LeMahieu captures 9th Senate seat". HTR News. Retrieved 2 August 2015.
- ^ a b c Kissinger, Meg (6 June 2015). "Martha Laning elected state Democratic Party chairwoman". The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved 2 August 2015.
- ^ "Laning Re-Elected Head as of Wisconsin Democratic Party". The Des Moines Register. Associated Press. 2017-06-04. pp. A14. Retrieved 2017-10-30 – via Newspapers.com.
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