Kathy Bernier

Kathleen M. "Kathy" Bernier (born April 29, 1956) is a politician in Wisconsin who served as a member of the Wisconsin State Senate representing the 23rd district from 2019-2023.[1] She previously was the Chippewa County Clerk from 1998–2011,[2] and served in the Wisconsin State Assembly for the 68th district from 2011 to 2019. In March 2018, Bernier announced that she would run to represent the 23rd district in the Wisconsin State Senate, an open seat due to the retirement of Terry Moulton.[3][4] She was elected in the November election.

Kathy Bernier
Member of the Wisconsin Senate
from the 23rd district
In office
January 7, 2019 – January 3, 2023
Preceded byTerry Moulton
Succeeded byJesse James
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly
from the 68th district
In office
January 3, 2011 – January 7, 2019
Preceded byKristen Dexter
Succeeded byJesse James
Chippewa County Clerk
In office
January 3, 1998 – February 11, 2011
DeputyDiane Finch
Lisa Merrell
Preceded byJerome Dachel
Succeeded bySandi Frion
Personal details
Born (1956-04-29) April 29, 1956
Eau Claire, Wisconsin, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Children3 children
ResidenceChippewa Falls, Wisconsin
Alma materUniversity of Wisconsin-Eau Claire

Early life and education

Bernier was born in Eau Claire to John and Marge (Ginder) Anderson and grew up in Lake Hallie, Wisconsin.[5] Bernier graduated from Chippewa Falls High School in 1974 and was married in September 1977. While raising her children, she worked a variety of part-time and limited term jobs including certified nursing assistant, waitress, and census taker. As a single mother, Bernier applied to the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in 1993. She was accepted as a non-traditional student and continued working part-time jobs to put herself through college. She graduated in May 1998 with a bachelor's degree in political science. Bernier earned a certificate in public management essentials from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.[6]

Shortly after graduating, Kathy was elected Chippewa County Clerk and served in that position until February 2011. Bernier was chair of the Chippewa County Republican Party. Bernier was a trustee for the Village of Lake Hallie, as the liaison to the Clerk/Treasurer’s office, and has been on the Lake Hallie police commission and parks and recreation board.[7]

Wisconsin legislator

In 2010, Bernier defeated incumbent Democrat Kristen Dexter for the Wisconsin State Assembly 68th district in the November 2 general election.[8] Bernier was re-elected in 2012 and 2014.[9]

Bernier chaired the Assembly Committee on Campaigns and elections, vice-chaired the Committee on Family Law, and served on the Aging and Long-Term Care, Agriculture, Workforce Development, Tourism, and Mining and Rural Development committees.[10] Bernier also served on the Speaker's Task Force on Alzheimer's and Dementia. She is on the National Assembly of State Legislatures and the board of the National Foundation for Women Legislators.

Bernier was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate for the 23rd district in November 2018, defeating Democrat Chris Kapsner.[11] The seat was open due to the retirement of Terry Moulton.[4] She did not run for reelection in 2022.[12]

Legislation

During her time in the legislature, Bernier has authored[13] Assembly Bill 16, a measure aimed at raising public awareness of human trafficking in Wisconsin;[14] Senate Bill 527, a measure that increases local control for county treasurers regarding unclaimed property; Assembly Bill 112, which allows disabled individuals to seek special permission for hunting from medical practitioners; Assembly Bill 243, which adds regulations and clarity to the state Youth Hunt program; Senate Bill 160, which increases the standards of maintenance and service for nursing home facilities and oxygen equipment; Senate Bill 295, which institutes online voter registration in the state;[15] Assembly Bill 146, which expands dental hygiene services in the state; and Assembly Bill 14, known as the State Workforce Development Bill or Wisconsin Fast Forward.

Bernier voted in support of the Budget Repair Bill (Act 10) in 2011, which requires state employees to contribute 5.8% of their salaries to cover pension costs, contribute 12.6% towards their health care premiums, and weakens collective bargaining privileges for most public employee union members.

Reaction to Election Probe

On December 13, 2021, Bernier, the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Elections, Election Process Reform and Ethics, encouraged Michael Gableman to have the GOP-sponsored probe into the 2020 election results "wrap up sooner rather than later." She said the ongoing extended investigation and repetitious questioning of the 2020 election's results only creates unwarranted doubt in the democratic process and leads to threats against state and local election officials.[16]

References
  1. "2017 Wisconsin State Representatives". www.legis.wisconsin.gov.
  2. "Kathy Bernier". kbernierforassembly.com. Archived from the original on July 13, 2011.
  3. "Kathy Bernier Announces Candidacy for State Senate" (PDF). Press Release. The Wheeler Report. Retrieved March 20, 2018.
  4. "Moulton won't seek re-election; Bernier announces candidacy". The Chippewa Herald. March 19, 2018. Retrieved March 20, 2018.
  5. "Biography". Bernier for Assembly. Retrieved March 20, 2018.
  6. "Kathleen Bernier Biography" (PDF). Wisconsin Blue Book, page 65. State of Wisconsin. Retrieved March 20, 2018.
  7. "Kathy Bernier's Biography PrintTrack This Politician". Project VoteSmart. Retrieved March 20, 2018.
  8. "Moulton, Larson and Bernier make for Republican sweep". The Chippewa Herald. November 3, 2010. Archived from the original on November 5, 2010. Retrieved November 4, 2010.
  9. "General Election" (PDF). Eau Claire County, Wisconsin. November 4, 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 5, 2014. Retrieved November 5, 2014.
  10. "2017 Wisconsin State Representatives". legis.wisconsin.gov.
  11. "2018 Wisconsin State Senate - District 23 Election Results". USA Today. December 5, 2018. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
  12. Kathy Bernier isn’t finished fighting election denialism in Wisconsin, The Cap Times, Jack Kelly, June 4, 2023. Retrieved June 5, 2023.
  13. "Authored Proposals". Wisconsin Legislature. State of Wisconsin. Retrieved March 20, 2018.
  14. "Rep. Bernier Hails Passage of Human Trafficking Bill". Representative Kathy Bernier. State of Wisconsin. Retrieved March 20, 2018.
  15. "Legislation Text". Wisconsin State Legislature. State of Wisconsin. Retrieved March 20, 2018.
  16. Schmidt, Mitchell (December 13, 2021). "Senate Republican elections chair calls on Michael Gableman to wrap up election probe". Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
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