Joel Kleefisch

Joel M. Kleefisch (/ˈkleɪfɪʃ/ KLAY-fish;^[2] born June 8, 1971) is a former American politician and a former television reporter who now works as a lobbyist.^[3] He served fourteen years in the Wisconsin State Assembly, representing parts of Waukesha, Jefferson, and eastern Dane counties.^[4] His wife, Rebecca Kleefisch, was the Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin.

Joel Kleefisch
Kleefisch in 2008
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the 38th district
In office January 3, 2005 – January 7, 2019
Preceded by	Steven Foti[1]
Succeeded by	Barbara Dittrich
Second Gentleman of Wisconsin
In role January 3, 2011 – January 7, 2019
Governor	Scott Walker
Preceded by	Cal Lawton
Succeeded by	Vacant
Personal details
Born	(1971-06-08) June 8, 1971 (age 54) Waukesha, Wisconsin, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Rebecca Reed
Children	2
Residence(s)	Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, U.S.
Education	Pepperdine University (BA)

Early life and education

Born in Waukesha, Wisconsin, Kleefisch graduated from Waukesha North High School in 1989. He earned a Bachelor of Arts from Pepperdine University in 1993.^[5]

Career

Kleefisch worked as a news researcher for KCBS-TV in Los Angeles during the summer of 1992. Upon graduation from Pepperdine he worked as a reporter for WREX-TV in Rockford, Illinois from 1993 to 1994.^[6] Kleefisch then was hired by WISN-TV to work the assignment desk and as a part-time reporter in 1994, before becoming a full-time general assignment reporter, where he worked until entering politics. As a reporter at WISN-TV, he appeared on CNN to discuss the trial of Mark Chmura.^[7] He won an award for "Best investigative report or series" from the Milwaukee Press Club in 1999 for a piece about date rape drugs.^[8]

Kleefisch was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2004, and was re-elected in 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, and 2016.^[6] He represented Oconomowoc and surrounding areas of western Waukesha County, northern Jefferson County, and eastern Dane County. In 2009 he co-sponsored legislation to increase the penalties in Wisconsin for driving under the influence.^[9]

Kleefisch did not seek re-election in 2018 and was succeeded by Barbara Dittrich.^[10]

Personal life

Kleefisch met his wife when she was also a reporter and anchor for WISN. They married in 1999 after she moved to the station from Rockford, Illinois.^[11] The couple have two children.