Jeffrey Wood (born September 12, 1969 in Juneau, Wisconsin) Is an American Independent and former Republican politician. He was a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly representing the 67th district from 2003 to 2011.[1] He was first elected as a Republican and later was elected as an Independent.
Jeffrey Wood | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the 67th district | |
| In office January 6, 2003 – January 3, 2011 | |
| Preceded by | Tom Sykora |
| Succeeded by | Tom Larson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 12, 1969 Juneau, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican (until 2008), Independent (2008–2013) |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire |
| Occupation | Businessman, politician |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Branch/service | United States Navy, United States Navy Reserve |
| Years of service | 1986-1994 |
Biography
editWood attended University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. He is married and has two children.
Political career
editState Assembly
editWood was first elected to the state assembly in 2002, to succeed retiring representative Tom Sykora in the 67th district. In 2008, Wood became the first Independent elected to the Wisconsin legislature since 1932.[2]
Legal troubles
editIn December 2008 Wood was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving. Following an accident in which his car reportedly became airborne, and marijuana was found in his vehicle, his blood alcohol content was more than double the legal limit.[3]
In September 2009, Wood was arrested again for suspicion of operating while intoxicated (OWI) which was his fourth arrest for driving while intoxicated.[4]
In October 2009, Wood was arrested again in Tomah, Wisconsin for operating while intoxicated and charged with bail jumping.[5] He was convicted on April 19, 2010 of operating while intoxicated and possession of drug paraphernalia, and sentenced to 45 days in jail with over $1,600 in fines.[6]
On January 12, 2011, Wood pleaded no contest to a fifth-offense operation charge, a felony, and a misdemeanor bail jumping charge (which was later dropped). He was sentenced to spend nine months in jail, with three years probation.[7]
Legislative disciplinary votes
edit| Party | Yes | No | Not voting | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | 46 | 4 | 2 | |
| Republican | 2 | 44 | — | |
| Independent | 1 | — | — | |
| Percentage | 50.5% | 49.5% | — | |
| Total votes |  49
|
48 | 2 | |
Following his fourth arrest, State Representative Steve Nass proposed a resolution to expel Wood from the Assembly if he did not resign. Wood responded that he would seek treatment for his substance abuse problem.
Due to Wood's various legal troubles, a special committee was created in October to address and reccomend any possible displinary measures against him. In deliberating, the committee deadlocked on a party line vote as, according to Democratic representative Mary Hubler, conduct which had occured prior to the election of a member to the state legislature would not be considered in taking disciplinary actions against a member.[9] Due to the fact that expelling Wood would run contrary to the wishes of his constituents, the amendment to expel him narrowly failed, garnering 49 votes in favor of tabling it, and 48 votes against.[10]
| Party | Yes | No | Not voting | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | 41 | 9 | 2 | |
| Republican | 32 | 14 | — | |
| Independent | — | 1 | — | |
| Percentage | 75.3% | 24.7% | — | |
| Total votes | 73
|
24 | 2 | |
In response, a new amendment was put forward to censure Wood, instead of expelling him, and the vote passed by a wide margin of 73 votes to 24.[10]
Due to his various DUI offenses, Wood announced he would not seek re-election.[12]
References
edit- ^ "Wood, Jeffrey 1969". Archived from the original on 2011-06-11. Retrieved 2009-11-07.
- ^ "First Independent Elected to Wisconsin Legislature Since 1932". Ballot Access News. November 6, 2008. Retrieved October 14, 2024.
- ^ "Lawmaker busted for OWI urinated on side of road". The Capital Times. 2008-12-16. Archived from the original on 2008-12-20. Retrieved 2008-12-17.
- ^ "State Rep. Jeff Wood of Bloomer faces OWI charge". The Wausau Daily Herald. 2009-09-25.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "State Rep. Jeff Wood arrested again for OWI". The Wisconsin State Journal. 2009-10-21.
- ^ "State Rep. Wood convicted of 3rd OWI charge". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 2010-04-19.
- ^ "Wood gets nine months in jail, probation for OWI". Leader Telegram. 2011-01-12. Archived from the original on 2012-09-08. Retrieved 2011-01-14.
- ^ "Amdt 1 - Expelling Representative Jeffery Wood - Voting Record". VoteSmart. Retrieved October 14, 2024.
- ^ "Discipline in the Wisconsin Legislature, A History of Reprimand, Censure, Suspension, and Expulsion" (PDF). Wisconsin State Legislature. June 1, 2020. Retrieved October 14, 2024.
- ^ a b "Assembly censures Rep. Jeff Wood". Republican Eagle. April 21, 2010. Retrieved October 14, 2024.
- ^ "Amdt 6 - Censuring Representative Jeffery Wood - Wisconsin Key Vote". VoteSmart. Retrieved October 14, 2024.
- ^ "Rep. Wood Arrested for OWI Again". WMTV. 2009-10-23.