86th Wisconsin Legislature

The Eighty-Sixth Wisconsin Legislature convened from January 3, 1983, to January 7, 1985, in regular session, and also convened in six special sessions.[1]

86th Wisconsin Legislature
85th 87th
Wisconsin State Capitol
Overview
Legislative bodyWisconsin Legislature
Meeting placeWisconsin State Capitol
TermJanuary 3, 1983 – January 7, 1985
ElectionNovember 2, 1982
Senate
Members33
Senate PresidentFred Risser (D)
President pro temporeWilliam A. Bablitch (D) until July 31, 1983
Party controlDemocratic
Assembly
Members99
Assembly SpeakerThomas A. Loftus (D)
Speaker pro temporeDavid Clarenbach (D)
Party controlDemocratic
Sessions
RegularJanuary 3, 1983 – January 7, 1985
Special sessions
Jan. 1983 Spec.January 4, 1983 – January 6, 1983
Apr. 1983 Spec.April 12, 1983 – April 14, 1983
Jul. 1983 Spec.July 11, 1983 – July 14, 1983
Oct. 1983 Spec.October 18, 1983 – October 28, 1983
Feb. 1984 Spec.February 2, 1984 – February 4, 1984
May 1984 Spec.May 22, 1984 – May 24, 1984

This was the only legislative session under the legislative redistricting plan imposed by a panel of federal judges in 1982 in the case Wisconsin State AFL-CIO v. Elections Board.[2] The district plan was intended to be punitive, scrambling the district numbers and putting incumbents in head-to-head contests. During this session, the legislature and governor agreed on a new redistricting plan to supersede the court plan, the only time this has been done in Wisconsin history.

Senators representing odd-numbered districts were newly elected for this session and were serving the first two years of a four-year term. Assembly members were elected to a two-year term. Assembly members and odd-numbered senators were elected in the general election of November 2, 1982. Senators representing even-numbered districts were serving the third and fourth year of a four-year term, having been elected in the general election of November 4, 1980.[1]

Major events

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Major legislation

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  • July 19, 1983: An Act ... relating to redistricting the senate and assembly based on the 1980 federal census of population and making miscellaneous changes in the statutes pertaining to decennial legislative redistricting, 1983 Act 29.
  • April 9, 1984: An Act ... relating to establishing a system of marital property shared by husband and wife and providing penalties, 1983 Act 186. Wisconsin's update to marital property laws to default to a shared property standard. Wisconsin was the first state to implement this change.

Party summary

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Senate summary

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Senate partisan composition
  Democratic: 19 seats
  Republican: 14 seats
Party
(Shading indicates majority caucus)
Total
Dem. Rep. Vacant
End of previous Legislature 19 14 33 0
Start of Reg. Session[note 1] 17 14 32 1
From Apr. 13, 1983[note 2] 19 33 0
From Jul. 31, 1983[note 3] 18 32 1
From Aug. 12, 1983[note 4] 19 33 0
From Jan. 3, 1984[note 5] 18 32 1
From Apr. 3, 1984[note 6] 17 31 2
From Apr. 23, 1984[note 7] 15 32 1
From Nov. 13, 1984[note 8] 18 33 0
Final voting share 54.55% 45.45%
Beginning of the next Legislature 19 14 33 0

Assembly summary

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Assembly partisan composition
  Democratic: 59 seats
  Republican: 40 seats
Party
(Shading indicates majority caucus)
Total
Dem. Rep. Vacant
End of previous Legislature 58 41 99 0
Start of Reg. Session 59 40 99 0
From Apr. 13, 1983[note 9] 57 97 2
From Jul. 12, 1983[note 10] 59 99 0
From Aug. 12, 1983[note 11] 58 98 1
From Nov. 11, 1983[note 12] 59 99 0
From Nov. 30, 1983[note 13] 58 98 1
From Apr. 5, 1984[note 14] 59 99 0
From Apr. 23, 1984[note 15] 39 98 1
From Nov. 12, 1984[note 16] 58 97 2
Final voting share 59.18% 40.82%
Beginning of the next Legislature 52 47 99 0

Sessions

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  • Regular session: January 3, 1983 – January 7, 1985
  • January 1983 special session: January 4, 1983 – January 6, 1983
  • April 1983 special session: April 12, 1983 – April 14, 1983
  • July 1983 special session: July 11, 1983 – July 14, 1983
  • October 1983 special session: October 18, 1983 – October 28, 1983
  • February 1984 special session: February 2, 1984 – February 4, 1984
  • May 1984 special session: May 22, 1984 – May 24, 1984

Leaders

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Senate leadership

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Senate majority leadership

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Senate minority leadership

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Assembly leadership

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Assembly majority leadership

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Assembly minority leadership

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Members

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Members of the Senate

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Members of the Senate for the Eighty-Sixth Wisconsin Legislature:[3]

 
Senate partisan representation
  Democratic: 19 seats
  Republican: 14 seats
Dist. Senator Party Age
(1983)
Home First
elected
01 Alan Lasee Rep. 45 De Pere, Brown County 1977
02 Don Hanaway Rep. 49 De Pere, Brown County 1979
03 John Norquist Dem. 33 Milwaukee, Milwaukee County 1982
04 Rod Johnston Rep. 45 Whitefish Bay, Milwaukee County 1979
05 Mordecai Lee Dem. 34 Milwaukee, Milwaukee County 1982
06 Gary George Dem. 28 Milwaukee, Milwaukee County 1980
07 Jerry Kleczka (res. Apr. 3, 1984) Dem. 39 Milwaukee, Milwaukee County 1974
John Plewa (from Nov. 13, 1984) Dem. 39 Milwaukee, Milwaukee County 1984
08 --Vacant until Apr. 13, 1983--
Joseph Czarnezki (from Apr. 13, 1983) Dem. 28 Milwaukee, Milwaukee County 1983
09 Carl Otte Dem. 59 Sheboygan, Sheboygan County 1982
10 James Harsdorf Rep. 32 River Falls, Pierce County 1980
11 J. Mac Davis Rep. 30 Waukesha, Waukesha County 1976
12 --Vacant until Apr. 13, 1983--
Lloyd H. Kincaid (from Apr. 13, 1983) Dem. 57 Crandon, Forest County 1983
13 Barbara Lorman Rep. 50 Fort Atkinson, Jefferson County 1980
14 Gerald Lorge Rep. 60 Bear Creek, Outagamie County 1954
15 Timothy Cullen Dem. 38 Janesville, Rock County 1974
16 Carl W. Thompson Dem. 68 Stoughton, Dane County 1959
17 Richard Kreul Rep. 58 Fennimore, Grant County 1978
18 Scott McCallum Rep. 32 Fond du Lac, Fond du Lac County 1976
19 Michael G. Ellis Rep. 41 Neenah, Winnebago County 1982
20 David W. Opitz Rep. 37 Port Washington, Ozaukee County 1979
21 Joseph A. Strohl Dem. 36 Racine, Racine County 1978
22 John J. Maurer Dem. 60 Kenosha, Kenosha County 1975
23 Marvin J. Roshell Dem. 50 Lafayette, Chippewa County 1978
24 William A. Bablitch (res. Jul. 31, 1983) Dem. 41 Stevens Point, Portage County 1972
David Helbach (after Aug. 12, 1983) Dem. 34 Stevens Point, Portage County 1983
25 Daniel Theno Rep. 35 Ashland, Ashland County 1972
26 Fred Risser Dem. 55 Madison, Dane County 1962
27 Russ Feingold Dem. 29 Middleton, Dane County 1982
28 Lynn Adelman Dem. 43 New Berlin, Waukesha County 1976
29 Walter Chilsen Rep. 59 Wausau, Marathon County 1966
30 Jerome Van Sistine Dem. 56 Green Bay, Brown County 1976
31 Rodney C. Moen Dem. 45 Whitehall, Trempealeau County 1982
32 Paul Offner (res. Jan. 3, 1984) Dem. 40 La Crosse, La Crosse County 1968
Brian Rude (from Apr. 23, 1984) Rep. 28 Coon Valley, Vernon County 1984
33 Susan Engeleiter Rep. 30 Menomonee Falls, Waukesha County 1980

Members of the Assembly

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Members of the Assembly for the Eighty-Sixth Wisconsin Legislature:[3]

 
Assembly partisan representation
  Democratic: 59 seats
  Republican: 40 seats
Senate
Dist.
Dist. Representative Party Age
(1983)
Home First
Elected
01 73 Lary J. Swoboda Dem. 43 Luxemburg 1970
74 Dale Bolle Dem. 59 Whitelaw 1982
75 Robert Cowles Rep. 32 Green Bay 1982
02 54 Cathy Zeuske Rep. 24 Shawano 1982
82 Gervase Hephner Dem. 46 Chilton 1966
83 William J. Rogers Dem. 52 Kaukauna 1962
03 13 Dismas Becker Dem. 46 Milwaukee 1977
14 Thomas J. Crawford Dem. 30 Milwaukee 1980
15 Walter Kunicki Dem. 24 Milwaukee 1980
04 04 Barbara Ulichny Dem. 35 Milwaukee 1978
05 Betty Jo Nelsen Rep. 47 Shorewood 1979
06 Gus Menos Dem. 62 Milwaukee 1971
05 07 Thomas Seery Dem. 37 Milwaukee 1982
08 Lois Plous Dem. 44 Milwaukee 1980
09 Thomas W. Meaux (res. Nov. 30, 1983) Dem. 28 Milwaukee 1982
Thomas Barrett (from Apr. 5, 1984) Dem. 30 Milwaukee 1984
06 10 Spencer Coggs Dem. 33 Milwaukee 1982
11 Annette Polly Williams Dem. 45 Milwaukee 1980
12 Marcia P. Coggs Dem. 54 Milwaukee 1976
07 01 Louise M. Tesmer Dem. 40 Milwaukee 1972
02 John Plewa (res. Nov. 13, 1984) Dem. 37 Milwaukee 1972
03 Chester A. Gerlach Dem. 35 South Milwaukee 1974
08 16 Jeannette Bell Dem. 41 West Allis 1982
17 Joseph Czarnezki (res. Apr. 13, 1983) Dem. 28 Milwaukee 1980
Peggy Krusick (from Jul. 12, 1983) Dem. 26 Milwaukee 1983
18 Thomas A. Hauke Dem. 44 West Allis 1972
09 76 Vernon W. Holschbach Dem. 56 Manitowoc 1980
77 Calvin Potter Dem. 37 Kohler 1974
78 Wilfrid J. Turba Rep. 54 Elkhart Lake 1982
10 40 Earl Gilson Dem. 59 River Falls 1982
41 Richard Shoemaker Dem. 31 Menomonie 1978
42 Harvey Stower Dem. 38 Amery 1982
11 64 Joseph Wimmer Rep. 48 Waukesha 1982
65 Joanne Huelsman Rep. 44 Waukesha 1982
66 Steven Foti Rep. 24 Oconomowoc 1982
12 46 Jim Holperin Dem. 32 Eagle River 1982
48 Lloyd H. Kincaid (res. Apr. 13, 1983) Dem. 57 Crandon 1972
John Volk (from Jul. 12, 1983) Dem. 67 Freedom 1983
61 Sheehan Donoghue Rep. 39 Merrill 1972
13 31 Randall J. Radtke Rep. 31 Lake Mills 1978
32 James M. Stewart Rep. 46 Whitewater 1982
33 Robert Goetsch Rep. 49 Oak Grove 1982
14 85 Francis R. Byers Rep. 62 Marion 1968
86 Patricia A. Goodrich Rep. 49 Berlin 1974
87 Tommy Thompson Rep. 41 Elroy 1966
15 25 Gary K. Johnson Dem. 43 Beloit 1970
26 Wayne W. Wood Dem. 52 Janesville 1976
27 Charles W. Coleman Rep. 50 Richmond 1982
16 97 Joe Wineke Dem. 25 Verona 1982
98 Charles Chvala Dem. 28 Madison 1982
99 Thomas A. Loftus Dem. 37 Sun Prairie 1976
17 37 John T. Manske Rep. 30 Milton 1981
38 Joseph E. Tregoning Rep. 41 Shullsburg 1967
39 Robert S. Travis Jr. Rep. 35 Platteville 1976
18 88 Esther Doughty Luckhardt Rep. 69 Horicon 1962
89 Earl F. McEssy Rep. 69 Fond du Lac 1956
90 Gordon R. Bradley Rep. 61 Oshkosh 1968
19 79 David Prosser Jr. Rep. 40 Appleton 1978
80 Esther K. Walling Rep. 42 Menasha 1982
81 Carol A. Buettner Rep. 34 Oshkosh 1982
20 70 John L. Merkt Rep. 36 Mequon 1976
71 Donald K. Stitt Rep. 38 Port Washington 1979
72 Mary Panzer Rep. 31 West Bend 1980
21 19 Jeffrey A. Neubauer Dem. 27 Racine 1980
20 James F. Rooney Dem. 47 Racine 1972
21 Ronald A. Sell Dem. 37 Caledonia 1982
22 22 Cloyd A. Porter Rep. 47 Burlington 1972
23 John Antaramian Dem. 28 Kenosha 1982
24 Joseph F. Andrea Dem. 55 Kenosha 1976
23 55 Steven C. Brist Dem. 28 Chippewa Falls 1976
56 Joseph Looby Dem. 65 Eau Claire 1968
57 Heron Van Gorden Rep. 56 Neillsville 1982
24 58 David Helbach (res. Aug. 12, 1983) Dem. 34 Stevens Point 1978
William Horvath (from Nov. 11, 1983) Dem. 45 Stevens Point 1983
59 Marlin Schneider Dem. 40 Wisconsin Rapids 1970
60 Donald W. Hasenohrl Dem. 47 Pittsville 1974
25 49 Robert Jauch Dem. 37 Poplar 1982
50 June Jaronitzky Rep. 44 Tripp 1980
51 Patricia Spafford Smith Dem. 57 Rice Lake 1978
26 94 Mary Lou Munts Dem. 58 Madison 1972
95 Midge Miller Dem. 60 Madison 1970
96 David Clarenbach Dem. 29 Madison 1974
27 91 Dale Schultz Rep. 29 Washington 1982
92 Robert M. Thompson Dem. 55 Poynette 1970
93 David Travis Dem. 34 Madison 1978
28 28 James A. Rutkowski Dem. 40 Hales Corners 1970
29 Raymond J. Moyer Dem. 56 Rochester 1982
30 John C. Schober Rep. 31 New Berlin 1982
29 47 Robert J. Larson Rep. 50 Medford 1978
62 William A. Kasten Rep. 26 Mosinee 1982
63 John H. Robinson Dem. 27 Wausau 1980
30 52 Richard P. Matty Rep. 50 Stephenson 1972
53 Cletus J. Vanderperren Dem. 70 Pittsfield 1958
84 Sharon Metz Dem. 48 Green Bay 1974
31 43 Barbara Gronemus Dem. 51 Whitehall 1982
44 Mark D. Lewis Dem. 33 Eau Claire 1982
45 Robert Quackenbush Rep. 59 Sparta 1970
32 34 John Medinger Dem. 34 La Crosse 1976
35 Virgil Roberts Dem. 60 Holmen 1970
36 Brian Rude (res. Apr. 23, 1984) Rep. 27 Coon Valley 1982
--Vacant from Apr. 23, 1984--
33 67 Peggy Rosenzweig Rep. 46 Wauwatosa 1982
68 John M. Young Rep. 56 Brookfield 1978
69 Lolita Schneiders Rep. 51 Menomonee Falls 1980

Employees

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Senate employees

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  • Chief Clerk: Donald J. Schneider[3]
  • Sergeant-at-Arms: Daniel B. Fields

Assembly employees

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Changes from the 85th Legislature

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New districts for the 86th Legislature were defined in the case of Wisconsin State AFL-CIO v. Elections Board, decided by a three-judge panel of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin. This was the first time redistricting in Wisconsin was performed by a federal court.[2]

Senate redistricting

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Summary of Senate changes

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  • No districts were left unchanged
  • Milwaukee County went from having 7 whole districts and part of two additional districts down to 6 whole districts (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) and part of two additional districts (28, 33).

Senate districts

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Map after redistricting, changes highlighted.
  Territory which was moved to a new district
  Districts which contain none of their prior territory
Dist. 85th Legislature 86th Legislature
1 Door, Kewaunee, Manitowoc counties and parts of eastern Brown County Door, Kewaunee counties and northern Manitowoc County and parts of eastern Brown County and eastern Calumet County
2 Calumet County and parts of central Brown County, southwest Outagamie County, eastern Fond du Lac County, northwest Sheboygan County, and northern Washington County Most of Calumet County, eastern Outagamie County, eastern Shawano County, and parts of southern Brown County and southern Oconto County
3 Milwaukee County (city southwest) Milwaukee County (city central)
4 Northeast Milwaukee County and most of Washington County and part of southern Ozaukee County Milwaukee County (northeast)
5 Milwaukee County (northwest) Milwaukee County (northwest)
6 Milwaukee County (city north) Milwaukee County (city north)
7 Milwaukee County (southeast) Milwaukee County (southeast)
8 Milwaukee County (middle-west) Milwaukee County (middle-west)
9 Milwaukee County (city center) Most of Sheboygan County and southern Manitowoc County and parts of southeast Calumet County and eastern Fond du Lac County
10 Buffalo, Burnett, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, St. Croix counties and western Barron County and part of southwest Trempealeau County Burnett, Pierce, Polk, St. Croix counties and western Dunn County
11 Milwaukee County (city west) Western Waukesha County and parts of southeast Washington County, southeast Jefferson County, and northwest Walworth County
12 Florence, Forest, Lincoln, Oneida, Rusk, Taylor, Vilas counties and parts of northeast Clark County, southern Price County, western Oconto County, northern Marinette County, and most of Langlade County Florence, Forest, Langlade, Lincoln, Menominee, Oneida, Vilas and northern Marinette County, western Shawano County, and parts of northwest Oconto County, and northern Marathon County
13 Central and southern Jefferson County and eastern Dane County Most of Jefferson County and most of Dodge County and part of northeast Rock County
14 Waupaca County and most of Outagamie County and parts of southern Shawano County Adams, Green Lake, Juneau, Marquette, Waushara counties and eastern Waupaca County and western Outagamie County and parts of northwest Winnebago County and western Fond du Lac County
15 South and eastern Rock County and most of Walworth County and part of western Racine County Central and southeast Rock County and most of Walworth County
16 Northern, western, and southern Dane County and northern Rock County Most of Dane County and parts of northern Green County and northwest Rock County
17 Green, Iowa, Lafayette, Richland counties and most of Grant County and parts of northwest Dane County and western Rock County Iowa, Lafayette counties and most of Grant County, most of Green County, and parts of southwest Richland County and western and northern Rock County
18 Most of Dodge County and parts of central Fond du Lac County and western Washington County Most of Fond du Lac County, southern Winnebago County, and parts of western Washington County and eastern Dodge County
19 Most of Winnebago County and part of northern Fond du Lac County Northeast Winnebago County and part of southern Outagamie County
20 Most of Sheboygan County and most of Ozaukee County Most of Ozaukee County, eastern Washington County, and parts of southeast Sheboygan County
21 Racine County (eastern quarter) Racine County (eastern half)
22 Kenosha County and parts of central Racine County and southeast Walworth County Kenosha County and parts of southwest Racine County and southeast Walworth County
23 Chippewa and Dunn counties and parts of western Eau Claire County and eastern Pepin County Chippewa and Clark counties and parts of eastern Dunn County, northern Eau Claire County, western Marathon County, southern Taylor County, and southeast Barron County
24 Green Lake and Portage counties and most of Waushara County and parts of northern Wood County, southern Marathon County, eastern Clark County, western Fond du Lac County, northwest Dodge County, and southwest Winnebago County Portage and Wood counties and western Waupaca County
25 Ashland, Bayfield, Douglas, Iron, Sawyer, Washburn counties and eastern Barron County and northern Price County Ashland, Bayfield, Douglas, Iron, Sawyer, Washburn counties and most of Barron County
26 Dane County (Madison) Dane County (Madison)
27 Columbia, Marquette, Sauk counties and parts of southern Adams County, southern Juneau County, and western Dodge County Columbia County, most of Sauk County, most of Richland County, and part of western Dodge County
28 Milwaukee (southwest) and most of Waukesha County and parts of eastern Jefferson County Milwaukee (southwest) and parts of southeast Waukesha County, western Racine County, and northeast Walworth County
29 Menominee County and most of Marathon County and most of Shawano County and part of southern Langlade County Price, Rusk counties and most of Marathon County and most of Taylor County
30 Brown (north & west) and eastern Oconto County and southern Marinette County Northwest Brown County and eastern Oconto County and southern Marinette County
31 Most of Eau Claire County, most of Jackson County, most of Monroe County, and most of Clark County, and northern Trempealeau County Buffalo, Jackson, Pepin, Trempealeau counties and most of Eau Claire County and most of Monroe County
32 Crawford, La Crosse, Vernon counties and parts of northwest Grant County, southwest Monroe County, southern Trempealeau County, and southeast Jackson County Crawford, La Crosse, Vernon counties and parts of northern Grant County and western Monroe County
33 Waukesha County (northeast) Northeast Waukesha County, parts of southern Washington County and western Milwaukee County


Notes

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  1. ^ Democrat James T. Flynn (8th District) and Republican Clifford Krueger (12th District) resigned before the start of the session.
  2. ^ Democrat Joseph Czarnezki (8th District) and Lloyd H. Kincaid (12th District) were sworn in to replace James T. Flynn and Clifford Krueger, respectively.
  3. ^ Democrat William A. Bablitch (24th District) resigned after his election to the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
  4. ^ Democrat David Helbach (24th District) was sworn in to replace William A. Bablitch.
  5. ^ Democrat Paul Offner (32nd District) resigned.
  6. ^ Democrat Jerry Kleczka (7th District) resigned after his election to the U.S. House of Representatives.
  7. ^ Republican Brian Rude (32nd District) was sworn in to replace Paul Offner.
  8. ^ Democrat John Plewa (7th District) was sworn in to replace Jerry Kleczka.
  9. ^ Democrats Joseph Czarnezki (17th District) and Lloyd H. Kincaid (48th District) resigned after their election to the state senate.
  10. ^ Democrats Peggy Krusick (17th District) and John Volk (48th District) were sworn in to replace Joseph Czarnezki and Lloyd H. Kincaid, respectively.
  11. ^ Democrat David Helbach (58th District) resigned after his election to the state senate.
  12. ^ Democrat William Horvath (58th District) was sworn in to replace David Helbach.
  13. ^ Democrat Thomas W. Meaux (9th District) resigned after his election to the Milwaukee County board of supervisors.
  14. ^ Democrat Thomas Barrett (9th District) was sworn in to replace Thomas W. Meaux.
  15. ^ Republican Brian Rude (36th District) resigned after his election to the state senate.
  16. ^ Democrat John Plewa (2nd District) resigned after his election to the state senate.

References

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  1. ^ a b Barish, Lawrence S.; Lemanski, Lynn, eds. (2021). "Historical Lists" (PDF). State of Wisconsin Blue Book 2021–2022 (Report). Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. pp. 468, 471, 475, 479–480. ISBN 978-1-7333817-1-0. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
  2. ^ a b Wisconsin State AFL-CIO v. Elections Board, 543 F. Supp. 630 (E.D. Wis. June 9, 1982).
  3. ^ a b c d Theobald, H. Rupert; Robbins, Patricia V., eds. (1983). "Biographies". The State of Wisconsin Blue Book 1983–1984 (Report). Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. pp. 20–88. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
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