Luther Olsen

Luther S. Olsen (born February 26, 1951) is an American politician and former member of the Wisconsin Legislature. A Republican, he served 16 years in the Wisconsin State Senate (2005–2021) and ten years in the Wisconsin State Assembly (1994–2005).[1][2][3] Olsen was one of several Wisconsin state senators to survive the 2011 Wisconsin Senate recall elections.[4]

Luther S. Olsen
Member of the Wisconsin Senate
from the 14th district
In office
January 3, 2005 – January 4, 2021
Preceded byRobert Welch
Succeeded byJoan Ballweg
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly
from the 41st district
In office
January 3, 1995 – January 3, 2005
Preceded byRobert Welch
Succeeded byJoan Ballweg
Personal details
Born (1951-02-26) February 26, 1951
Berlin, Wisconsin, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseJoan Wade
Residence(s)Ripon, Wisconsin, U.S.
Alma materUniversity of Wisconsin–Madison
Professionsmall business owner

Early life, education, and early political career

Olsen was born on February 26, 1951, in Berlin, Wisconsin. In 1969, he graduated from Berlin High School. In 1973, he earned a B.S. from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. In 1976, he was elected to the Berlin School District Board, and was named President of the School Board in 1986. He left the board in 1997.[5]

Wisconsin Legislature

Elections
Before 2011

In Luther's political career prior to 2011, he had never faced a Democratic party opponent.[6] In 1994, he was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly. He won re-election in 1996, 1998, 2000, and 2002. In 2004, he was elected the Wisconsin Senate and re-election 2008.

His current Senate district is much more conservative than the state as a whole. In the 2008 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama narrowly won with 52%, while he won statewide with 57%. In the 2010 Wisconsin gubernatorial election, Republican Scott Walker won with 57%, while he won statewide with 53%. In the 2011 Wisconsin judicial election, Republican David Prosser won the district with 55%, while winning statewide with just 50%.[7]

2011 recall election
See also: Wisconsin Senate recall elections, 2011

Olsen was the target of an active recall effort as part of the 2011 Wisconsin protests. On March 2, 2011, the "Committee to Recall Olsen" officially registered with the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board.[8] On April 18, 2011, organizers filed petitions containing roughly 24,000 signatures to recall Olsen. If more than 14,733 of those signatures are found valid, a recall election will ensue.[9] On April 21, 2011, State Representative Fred Clark (D - Baraboo) announced his candidacy against Olsen in a possible recall election.[10] In late May 2011, the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board verified petitions against Olsen, overruling his challenges. The recall election was held on August 9, 2011.[11] Olsen emphasized his pro-education record during his 17-year political career. He defended the $1 billion cut to public education in the 2011 budget as necessary "cuts that needed to be done."[12] Olsen defeated State Rep. Fred Clark with 52% of the vote.[4]

Tenure

During the 2011 Wisconsin protests regarding Governor Walker's budget repair bill, Olsen described the bill as "pretty radical" and mentioned that he had reservations regarding voting for collective bargaining repeal. Olsen ultimately voted for the bill.[13]

In 2011, One Wisconsin Now filed an ethics complaint against Olsen with the Government Accountability Board. The complaint alleged that Olsen inserted language into a bill in order to financially help his wife. Olsen's wife, Joan Wade, responded to the complaint by calling it 'ridiculous.'[14]

Committee assignments

Olsen was chairman of the Education Committee. He was also a member of the Finance, Insurance and Housing, and Finance committees.[15]

References
  1. "Fall General Election – 11/02/2004; State Senate, District No. 14". Wisconsin State Elections Board. December 1, 2004. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 10, 2011. Retrieved April 17, 2011.
  2. "Fall General Election – 11/04/2008; State Senate, District No. 14". Wisconsin State Elections Board. November 24, 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 20, 2011. Retrieved April 17, 2011.
  3. "Olsen, Luther S. 1951". Wisconsin Historical Society. Retrieved April 14, 2011.
  4. Barbour, Clay and Mary Spicuzza. Republicans hold off Dems in recalls, win enough seats to keep majority in Senate, Wisconsin State Journal, August 10, 2011.
  5. "Luther Olsen, Wisconsin State Senator: District 14". Archived from the original on 2011-09-28. Retrieved 2011-08-07.
  6. "Having Democratic opponent is new to Olsen".
  7. "RRH Elections - Elections and Campaigns from the Right Perspective".
  8. "Committee to Recall Olsen". Wisconsin Government Accountability Board. March 9, 2011. Retrieved April 17, 2011.
  9. "Dems File Recall Petition for 3rd GOP Senator". Milwaukee: WTMJ (AM). (AP). April 18, 2011. Retrieved April 21, 2011.
  10. "Baraboo state Rep. Clark to challenge Ripon's Luther Olsen in recall". Oshkosh Northwestern. April 21, 2011.
  11. "GAB Clears Way For 3 GOP Recall Elections". WISC-TV. May 23, 2011. Archived from the original on May 26, 2011. Retrieved June 9, 2011.
  12. http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20110803/APC0101/108030521/GOP-Senator-Luther-Olsen-touts-his-17-year-pro-education-record?odyssey=nav%7Chead
  13. Stein, Jason (February 10, 2011). "Walker budget plan would limit state unions to negotiating only on salaries". Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. Retrieved April 21, 2011.
  14. "Group: State Sen. Olsen wrote bill to financially help wife".
  15. "The Voter's Self Defense System".
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