Marcel Dandeneau

Marcel Dandeneau (June 28, 1931 – February 9, 2017) was an American educator and Democratic Party politician. He served two terms in the Wisconsin State Assembly, representing northern Racine County, and held local offices in Caledonia, Wisconsin.

Marcel Dandeneau
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly
from the 63rd district
In office
January 6, 1975 – January 3, 1979
Preceded byHenry Rohner
Succeeded byE. James Ladwig
Chairman of the Caledonia Town Board
In office
1992–1995
Member of the Caledonia Town Board
In office
1990–1992
In office
1971–1977
Personal details
Born(1931-06-28)June 28, 1931
Racine, Wisconsin, U.S.
DiedFebruary 9, 2017(2017-02-09) (aged 85)
Caledonia, Wisconsin, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseShirley Leach
Children6
Alma materDominican College of Racine BA, MS
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Army
Years of service1951–1955
Rank Sergeant
Battles/warsKorean War

Biography

Born in Racine, Wisconsin, he was the eldest of six children born to Albert and Justine (née Breland) Dandeneau, both French Canadian immigrants.

Dandeneau graduated from St. Catherine's High School in Racine, Wisconsin. He served in the United States Army from 1951 to 1955. Dandeneau then received his bachelor's and master's degree from Dominican College of Racine and worked as a full-time teacher from 1960 through 1989, first at Sturtevant Grade School, then at Mitchell Junior High, where he taught English, History, and Science. He continued to work as a substitute teacher after his retirement in 1989.[1]

He served on the board of supervisors for the town of Caledonia, Wisconsin from 1971 through 1977. From 1975 to 1979, Dandeneau served in the Wisconsin State Assembly. He then served as chief clerk of the Wisconsin Assembly from 1979 to 1981.[2][3]

In 1975, Dandeneau was charged with misconduct in office, a felony, and violating state campaign laws in connection with unreported campaign contributions and vested interest in granting a liquor license.[1] He was convicted of misdemeanor violation of campaign finance laws. Paid $500 fine and $10 court costs.[4]

He was charged in 1976 with felony misconduct in public office. Case dismissed.[5]

Dandeneau was re-elected to the Caledonia board of supervisors in 1990 and was chairman of the town board from 1992 to 1995. For the last 27 years of his life, Dandeneau held a monthly breakfast meeting for Racine politicians and businessmen to discuss the issues of the day.[6]

Dandeneau died from cancer at his home in Caledonia, Wisconsin.[6][7]

Electoral history

Wisconsin Assembly (1974, 1976, 1978)
Wisconsin Assembly, 63rd District Election, 1974
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Primary Election, September 10, 1974
Democratic Marcel Dandeneau 2,357 46.48%
Democratic John Siefert 2,161 42.61%
Republican Henry Rohner (incumbent) 553 10.91%
Total votes '5,071' '100.0%'
General Election, November 5, 1974
Democratic Marcel Dandeneau 6,613 57.58%
Republican Henry Rohner (incumbent) 4,872 42.42%
Total votes '11,485' '100.0%'
Democratic gain from Republican
Wisconsin Assembly, 63rd District Election, 1976
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Primary Election, September 14, 1976
Democratic Marcel Dandeneau (incumbent) 2,294 34.79%
Democratic Robert N. Miller 1,993 30.23%
Democratic Daniel J. Nielsen 1,702 25.82%
Republican Herman V. Nelson 598 9.07%
American Eleanor Both 6 0.09%
Total votes '6,593' '100.0%'
General Election, November 2, 1976
Democratic Marcel Dandeneau (incumbent) 12,657 62.14% +4.56%
Republican Herman V. Nelson 7,711 37.86%
Total votes '20,368' '100.0%' +77.34%
Democratic hold
Wisconsin Assembly, 63rd District Election, 1978
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Primary Election, September 12, 1978
Democratic Marcel Dandeneau (incumbent) 4,189 77.10%
Republican E. James Ladwig 1,244 22.90%
Total votes '5,433' '100.0%'
General Election, November 7, 1978
Republican E. James Ladwig 8,242 53.31%
Democratic Marcel Dandeneau (incumbent) 7,219 46.69% -15.45%
Total votes '11,485' '100.0%' -24.09%
Republican gain from Democratic

United States Senate (1982)
United States Senate Election in Wisconsin, 1982[8]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Primary Election, September 14, 1982
Democratic William Proxmire (incumbent) 467,214 57.39%
Republican Scott McCallum 182,043 22.36%
Republican Paul Thomas Brewer 86,728 10.65%
Democratic Marcel Dandeneau 75,258 9.24%
Libertarian George Liljenfeldt 1,421 0.17%
Constitution Sanford G. Knapp 1,397 0.17%
Total votes '814,061' '100.0%'
General Election, November 2, 1982
Democratic William Proxmire (incumbent) 983,311 63.65%
Republican Scott McCallum 527,355 34.14%
Labor–Farm William Osborne Hart 21,807 1.41%
Libertarian George Liljenfeldt 7,947 0.51%
Constitution Sanford G. Knapp 4,463 0.29%
Total votes '1,544,883' '100.0%'
Democratic hold

References
  1. "Officials Indicted". Manitowoc Herald Times. December 19, 1975. p. 14. Retrieved May 31, 2015 – via Newspapers.com. open access
  2. 'Wisconsin Blue Book 1975,' Biographical Sketch of Marcel Dandeneau, pg. 63
  3. 'Wisconsin Blue Book 1979-1980,' Biographical Sketch of Marcel Dandeneau, pg. 88
  4. "Informational from the Legislative Memorandum Reference Bureau Informational Memorandum Revised December WISCONSIN LEGISLATORS CHARGED WITH CRIMES AND VIOLATIONS OF ETHICS AND CAMPAIGN FINANCE LAWS - PDF document download".
  5. "Judge Clears Dandeneau". Fond du Lac Commonwealth Reporter. July 21, 1976. p. 30. Retrieved May 31, 2015 – via Newspapers.com. open access
  6. Schaaf, Mark (2017-02-11). "Longtime Democratic activist, local politician Marcel Dandeneau dies". Racine Journal Times. Retrieved 2019-02-23.
  7. Obituary: Marcel Dandeneau Served His Country and Community
  8. Theobald, H. Rupert; Robbins, Patricia V., eds. (1983). "Elections in Wisconsin". The state of Wisconsin 1983-1984 Blue Book (Report). Madison, Wisconsin: State of Wisconsin. pp. 881, 903. Retrieved January 12, 2020.
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