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Louise M. Tesmer

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The Honorable
Louise M. Tesmer
Wisconsin Circuit Court Judge for the Milwaukee Circuit, Branch 40
In office
August 1, 1989 – July 31, 2001
Preceded byPosition established
Succeeded byJoseph R. Wall
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly
In office
January 7, 1985 – July 31, 1989
Preceded byJeffrey A. Neubauer
Succeeded byRosemary Potter
Constituency19th district
In office
January 3, 1983 – January 7, 1985
Preceded byLary J. Swoboda
Succeeded byLary J. Swoboda
Constituency1st district
In office
January 1, 1973 – January 3, 1983
Preceded byPosition established
Succeeded byJeffrey A. Neubauer
Constituency19th district
Personal details
Born (1942-12-25) December 25, 1942 (age 81)
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Alma mater

Louise M. Tesmer (born December 25, 1942) is an American lawyer, judge, and former politician. She was a Wisconsin circuit court judge for 12 years in the Milwaukee County circuit (1989–2001), and has continued to serve as a reserve judge since her retirement. Prior to her judicial service, she served sixteen years in the Wisconsin State Assembly, representing the city of Milwaukee as a Democrat.

Early life and career

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Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Tesmer graduated from Bay View High School. She then received her bachelor's degree from University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee in 1964 and went on to earn her J.D. from University of Wisconsin Law School in 1967.

Public office

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Even before graduating from law school she ran for her first public office. At age 23, she was elected municipal court judge in the Milwaukee suburb of St. Francis in the 1966 spring election.[1][2] After graduating from law school, she was hired as an assistant district attorney for Milwaukee County, which was her primary employment until her election to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 1972.[3]

In 1972, Tesmer announced she would launch a primary challenge against 24-year incumbent U.S. Congressman Clement J. Zablocki. Tesmer established a platform on opposition to the Vietnam War and support for progressive tax reform. She asserted that Zablocki had been too supportive of President Richard Nixon's war policies, and had lost touch with the needs of his constituents.[4][5] Tesmer withdrew her candidacy, however, when another "peace" candidate—Grant Waldo—announced he would enter the race against Zablocki.[6]

Instead, Tesmer launched a primary challenge against 12-year incumbent Democratic state representative John E. McCormick, in the newly drawn 19th State Assembly district. Before the primary, however, McCormick was granted a judicial appointment and quit the race.[7] Tesmer ultimately faced five other candidates in the primary for the now-open seat. In the September primary, she prevailed with 45% of the six-way vote and went on to take nearly 70% of the general election vote over Republican Ebner Luetzow.[8] She went on to win reelection 8 times, serving until 1989.

During her time in the Assembly, Tesmer served as chairperson of the Assembly Committee on Financial Institutions and Insurance (1987–1989) and was a member of the Judiciary Committee for her entire time in the legislature. She was also elected Speaker pro tempore (then referred to as "Deputy Speaker") by her caucus for the 1981–1982 session of the legislature, becoming the first woman to serve in the Assembly leadership.[9][10]

In 1989, Tesmer entered the race for Milwaukee County's newest branch of the Wisconsin circuit courts. In a crowded seven-person nonpartisan primary, she prevailed again with 38%, and went on to win the April election with 63%.[11] Two of her former primary opponents in the election—Daniel L. Konkol and Robert Crawford—would later go on to serve as circuit court judges.[1] She was reelected in 1995 and retired at the end of her second term in 2001.[1] As of 2021, she continues to serve as a reserve judge in the 1st judicial administrative district.[12]

Personal life

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Tesmer appeared on the popular television gameshow What's My Line? in 1966, with Betty White and Allen Ludden as guest panelists.[13]

Electoral history

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Wisconsin Assembly, 19th district (1972–1980)

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Year Election Date Elected Defeated Total Plurality
1972[8] Primary September 12 Louise M. Tesmer Democratic 2,566 45.06% Dennis J. Klazura Dem. 1,074 18.86% 5,695 1,492
Robert E. McCormick Dem. 806 14.15%
David R. Zepecki Dem. 720 12.64%
Daniel M. Rozeski Dem. 468 8.22%
Matthew S. Chutich Dem. 61 1.07%
General November 7 Louise M. Tesmer Democratic 13,202 69.35% Ebner H. Luetzow Rep. 5,834 30.65% 19,036 7,368
1974[14] Primary September 10 Louise M. Tesmer (inc.) Democratic 3,276 83.57% Richard R. Matthews Dem. 644 16.43% 3,920 2,632
General November 5 Louise M. Tesmer (inc.) Democratic 9,237 100.0% 9,237 9,237
1976[15] Primary September 14 Louise M. Tesmer (inc.) Democratic 3,709 62.81% Ralph Voltner Dem. 1,257 21.29% 5,905 2,452
Ronald L. Tessmer Dem. 939 15.90%
General November 2 Louise M. Tesmer (inc.) Democratic 15,220 100.0% 15,220 15,220
1978[16] Primary September 12 Louise M. Tesmer (inc.) Democratic 3,239 62.98% Carole Ewald Dem. 894 17.38% 5,143 2,345
Charles J. Lacke Dem. 634 12.33%
Thomas Brennan Dem. 376 7.31%
General November 7 Louise M. Tesmer (inc.) Democratic 10,006 71.34% Fred L. McCabe II Rep. 4,019 28.66% 14,025 5,987
1980[17] General November 4 Louise M. Tesmer (inc.) Democratic 13,295 70.54% John J. Mackey Rep. 5,552 29.46% 18,847 7,743

Wisconsin Assembly, 1st district (1982)

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Year Election Date Elected Defeated Total Plurality
1982[18] Primary September 14 Louise M. Tesmer Democratic 4,582 58.70% Phillip J. Tuczynski Dem. 3,224 41.30% 7,806 1,358
General November 2 Louise M. Tesmer Democratic 13,103 83.95% William A. Rinnemaki Rep. 2,223 14.24% 15,608 10,880
Elaine Bergstrom Lib. 282 1.81%

Wisconsin Assembly, 19th district (1984–1988)

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Year Election Date Elected Defeated Total Plurality
1984[19] General November 6 Louise M. Tesmer Democratic 16,147 75.23% Douglas D. Haag Rep. 5,316 24.77% 21,463 10,831
1986[20] General November 4 Louise M. Tesmer (inc.) Democratic 10,198 69.48% Douglas D. Haag Rep. 4,480 30.52% 14,678 5,718
1988[21] General November 8 Louise M. Tesmer (inc.) Democratic 15,731 78.32% Douglas D. Haag Rep. 4,354 21.68% 20,085 11,377

Wisconsin Circuit Court (1989, 1995)

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Wisconsin Circuit Court, Milwaukee Circuit, Branch 40 Election, 1989[11]
Party Candidate Votes %
Nonpartisan Primary, February 21, 1989
Nonpartisan Louise M. Tesmer 17,148 38.40%
Nonpartisan Sheila M. Parrish 5,741 12.85%
Nonpartisan Daniel L. Konkol 5,286 11.84%
Nonpartisan Anthony J. Machi 5,275 11.81%
Nonpartisan James F. Blask 4,576 10.25%
Nonpartisan David M. Kaiser 3,646 8.16%
Nonpartisan Robert Crawford 2,990 6.69%
Total votes 44,662 100.0%
General Election, April 4, 1989
Nonpartisan Louise M. Tesmer 78,586 63.77%
Nonpartisan Sheila M. Parrish 44,642 36.23%
Plurality 33,944 27.55%
Total votes 123,228 100.0%

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Judge Tesmer Ends Long Career in Public Service" (PDF). The Third Branch. Vol. 8, no. 4. Wisconsin Judiciary. Fall 2000. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
  2. ^ Zweifel, Dave (April 6, 1966). "Prettiest Justice May Be Smartest". The Capital Times. p. 1. Retrieved January 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau (1973). "Biographies" (PDF). In Theobald, H. Rupert; Robbins, Patricia V. (eds.). The state of Wisconsin 1973 Blue Book (Report). State of Wisconsin. p. 35. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
  4. ^ "Woman Lawyer of Milwaukee to Run for Zablocki's Seat". Racine Journal Times. May 31, 1972. Retrieved January 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "State Woman Enters Race". Eau Claire Leader-Telegram. May 31, 1972. Retrieved January 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "Candidates Discussed by State's Democrats". Eau Claire Leader-Telegram. June 20, 1972. Retrieved January 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "Assemblyman Named Judge in Milwaukee". La Crosse Tribune. July 20, 1972. p. 2. Retrieved January 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ a b Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau (1973). "Elections" (PDF). In Theobald, H. Rupert; Robbins, Patricia V. (eds.). The state of Wisconsin 1973 Blue Book (Report). State of Wisconsin. pp. 806–807, 826. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
  9. ^ "Tesmer, Louise M." Wisconsin Historical Society. 8 August 2017. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
  10. ^ "Wisconsin Women Legislators - A Historical List" (PDF). Wisconsin Briefs. No. 11–3. Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. January 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 30, 2015. Retrieved January 25, 2015.
  11. ^ a b Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau (1989). "Elections" (PDF). In Barish, Lawrence S.; Theobald, H. Rupert (eds.). State of Wisconsin 1989-1990 Blue Book (Report). State of Wisconsin. pp. 883, 886, 910, 925. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
  12. ^ "Reserve Judges" (PDF). Wisconsin Court System. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
  13. ^ What's My Line (Betty White and Allen Ludden Appear on Panel) (1966). February 8, 2013. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
  14. ^ Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau (1975). "Elections" (PDF). In Theobald, H. Rupert; Robbins, Patricia V. (eds.). The state of Wisconsin 1975 Blue Book (Report). State of Wisconsin. pp. 807, 829. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
  15. ^ Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau (1977). "Elections" (PDF). In Theobald, H. Rupert; Robbins, Patricia V. (eds.). The state of Wisconsin 1977 Blue Book (Report). State of Wisconsin. pp. 892, 914. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
  16. ^ Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau (1979). "Elections" (PDF). In Theobald, H. Rupert; Robbins, Patricia V. (eds.). The state of Wisconsin 1979-1980 Blue Book (Report). State of Wisconsin. pp. 906, 924. Retrieved January 21, 2021.
  17. ^ Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau (1981). "Elections" (PDF). In Theobald, H. Rupert; Robbins, Patricia V. (eds.). The state of Wisconsin 1981-1982 Blue Book (Report). State of Wisconsin. pp. 894, 915. Retrieved January 21, 2021.
  18. ^ Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau (1983). "Elections" (PDF). In Theobald, H. Rupert; Robbins, Patricia V. (eds.). The state of Wisconsin 1983-1984 Blue Book (Report). State of Wisconsin. pp. 888, 910. Retrieved January 21, 2021.
  19. ^ Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau (1985). "Elections" (PDF). In Theobald, H. Rupert; Robbins, Patricia V. (eds.). The state of Wisconsin 1985-1986 Blue Book (Report). State of Wisconsin. pp. 906, 925. Retrieved January 21, 2021.
  20. ^ Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau (1987). "Elections" (PDF). In Theobald, H. Rupert; Barish, Lawrence S. (eds.). The state of Wisconsin 1987-1988 Blue Book (Report). State of Wisconsin. pp. 888, 907. Retrieved January 21, 2021.
  21. ^ Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau (1989). "Elections" (PDF). In Barish, Lawrence S.; Theobald, H. Rupert (eds.). State of Wisconsin 1989-1990 Blue Book (Report). State of Wisconsin. pp. 910, 925. Retrieved January 21, 2021.
Wisconsin State Assembly
New district Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the 19th district
January 1, 1973 – January 3, 1983 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the 1st district
January 3, 1983 – January 7, 1985 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the 19th district
January 7, 1985 – July 31, 1989 		Succeeded by
Legal offices
New branch Wisconsin Circuit Court Judge for the Milwaukee Circuit, Branch 40
August 1, 1989 – July 31, 2001 		Succeeded by
Joseph R. Wall
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