Scott Gunderson

Scott L. Gunderson (born October 24, 1956) is a Wisconsin farmer, state legislator, and former small business owner.[1]

Background

Born in Burlington, Wisconsin, Gunderson graduated from Waterford Union High School in 1974. He owns a farm in the Town of Norway, and from 1980-2007 operated Gundy's Sport, a company in Wind Lake which sold guns and other hunting and fishing supplies and equipment.[2] He is a Lutheran; and is married to Lisa Gunderson. They have three children: Joshua, Hannah, and Rebecca.[3]

Political career

From 1991-1995, Gunderson served on the Waterford Town Board. In 1994, he was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly as a Republican from the 83rd Assembly district. He was a member of the Administrative Rules, Fish and Wildlife, and Natural Resources committees; and serves on the Wisconsin Coastal Management Council (1996–present) and Wisconsin State Fair Park board (2000–2011). In January 2011, Gunderson resigned from the Assembly to become the Executive Assistant in the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.[4]

Ethics accusation

Gunderson has sponsored bills to lower the hunting age in Wisconsin to eight and to allow people to carry concealed handguns. In 2005, he refused to turn over a draft of concealed carry legislation on the grounds that draft bills are confidential, even though he had previously shown the draft to lobbyists for the National Rifle Association of America to solicit their feedback.[5] The state Ethics Board ruled in 2006 that Gunderson as owner of Gundy's Sport didn't have enough of a financial interest in gun-related proposals to have a conflict. He said his store would not directly benefit from the legislation, and had sold fewer than 50 guns in the prior year.[2]

Residency dispute

In 2006, Gunderson's Democratic opponent filed a charge that Gunderson did not live in the 83rd Assembly District, which he was elected to represent, and that he was violating election laws by voting in the Village of Waterford. Gunderson acknowledged that his farm and farmhouse is in the 63rd District; but points out that he has an apartment in Waterford, which has been his official address and voting residence for some time. When his Norway farm home was redistricted out of the 83rd district, he had told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that he would be moving to a new home inside the district.[6] The Racine County District Attorney refused to file charges,[7] and Gunderson was re-elected despite the challenge.

References
  1. "Gunderson, Scott L. 1956". www.wisconsinhistory.org. Archived from the original on 2011-06-11.
  2. "Lawmaker Who Owns Gun Store Does Not Have a Conflict, Board Says". WSAW. WSAW. Associated Press. April 24, 2006. Archived from the original on August 18, 2019. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  3. "Assembly Member Scott L. Gunderson (WI)", Project Vote Smart.
  4. Trent Artus (January 6, 2011). "DNR Secretary announces executive staff". WQOW 18 News. Madison. Archived from the original on July 18, 2011.
  5. Marley, Patrick. "Gun bill ignites open records dispute; Does sharing draft with outsiders make it public? Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. August 30, 2005
  6. Tunkieicz, Jennie. "Complaint challenges Gunderson residency: Racine County DA, state officials investigating claim." Milwaukee Journal Sentinel October 31, 2006
  7. Tunkieicz, Jennie. "ELECTION 2006; Residency challenge falls short in 83rd; District attorney won't pursue fraud charges against Gunderson" Milwaukee Journal Sentinel November 5, 2006]
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