Dean Knudson

Dean R. Knudson (born April 29, 1961) is a Commissioner on the Wisconsin Elections Commission, appointed by Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Robin Vos in September 2017. He was chairman of the Commission from June 2018 to June 2020. His current term expires in 2024.

Dean R. Knudson
Chairman of the Wisconsin Elections Commission
In office June 11, 2018 – June 3, 2020
Preceded by	Mark L. Thomsen
Succeeded by	Ann S. Jacobs
Member of the Wisconsin Elections Commission
Incumbent
Assumed office September 25, 2017
Appointed by	Robin Vos
Preceded by	Steve King
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the 30th district
In office January 3, 2011 – January 3, 2017
Preceded by	Kitty Rhoades
Succeeded by	Shannon Zimmerman
52nd Mayor of Hudson, Wisconsin
In office April 15, 2008 – November 5, 2010
Preceded by	Jack Breault
Succeeded by	Alan Burchill
Member of the Hudson, Wisconsin, City Council
In office April 1996 – April 2002
Personal details
Born	April 29, 1961 Mayville, North Dakota, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Joy Schlichting Knudson ​ ​ (m. 1987)​
Children	Sonya, Reed
Alma mater	North Dakota State University Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine
Profession	Veterinarian, politician, businessman

Previously, Knudson was a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly, representing parts of St. Croix and Pierce counties from 2011 to 2017 as a Republican. He also served as the 52nd Mayor of Hudson, Wisconsin, in St. Croix County, from April 2008 until November 2010, when he resigned after his election to the Assembly.[1] Knudson also served three terms as Alderman on the Hudson City Council from 1996 to 2002.

Early life and career

Knudson was born in Mayville, North Dakota, and raised on his family's farm. He graduated from Mayville-Portland High School and attended North Dakota State University. He went on to receive his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Iowa State University in 1986.[2]

After receiving his degree, he moved to Florida with his wife, Joy, to start a veterinary practice. But they returned to the midwest just a few years later, in 1989, settling at Hudson, Wisconsin. They continued their veterinary practice and became involved in local affairs, including the Hudson Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club.[2]

Political career

Hudson (1996–2008)

Knudson first became involved with politics after the Hudson City Council voted to raise taxes in 1996. He ran for and won a seat on the council with a tax-cutting agenda, and was re-elected twice.[2] He left office in 2002 to devote more attention to his family and business, but, in 2008, Hudson's long-time Mayor, Jack Breault, announced he would not seek another term. Knudson decided to run.[2]

The 2008 mayoral election took an unusual twist when Knudson's opponent, Todd Erskine, suspended his campaign and released an endorsement of Knudson.[3] "I think he's more qualified for the job," Erskine said of Knudson. "So I'm supporting him."[4] In 2010, he again did not face serious opposition when seeking re-election. He defeated a write-in candidate, 24-year-old Iraq War veteran Kevin Hartman, with over 93% of the vote.[5]

Wisconsin Legislature (2011–2017)

Only a few weeks after winning re-election as mayor, however, Knudson declared he would run for the Wisconsin State Assembly to replace incumbent Kitty Rhoades, who did not plan to seek re-election.[6] Knudson was not opposed in the Republican primary and won a strong majority in the general election, defeating Democrat Matt Borup with 62% of the vote.[7] He was re-elected in 2012 and 2014, but declined to run for a fourth term in 2016.[8]

During the 2015–2016 session of the Legislature, Knudson lead the push in the Wisconsin Assembly to overhaul the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board.[9] The legislature ultimately acted to abolish the Accountability Board, which had overseen state campaigns, elections, and ethics laws since 2008, and replaced it with two new commissions—the Wisconsin Elections Commission and the Wisconsin Ethics Commission.[10][11]

Elections Commission (2017–present)

One of the first appointees to the new Wisconsin Elections Commission was Republican businessman Steve King, to the seat reserved for the appointee of the Speaker of the Wisconsin State Assembly. But only a few months after beginning that role, he was nominated by President Donald Trump to serve as U.S. Ambassador to the Czech Republic. Upon his confirmation as Ambassador, in August 2017, King resigned from the commission.[12] Knudson was subsequently appointed by Speaker Robin Vos to replace him on the Wisconsin Elections Commission.[11]

Knudson was chosen by the commissioners for a two year term as chairman in 2018.[13]

Personal life

Knudson married Joy Schlichting in 1987, they have two adult children. Both Knudson and his wife are veterinary doctors.[2]

Electoral history

Hudson Mayor (2008, 2010)

Hudson Mayoral Election, 2008[14]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
General Election, April 1, 2008
	Nonpartisan	Dean R. Knudson	1,556	87.32%
	Nonpartisan	R. Todd Erskine (withdrew)	226	12.68%
Plurality			1,330	74.64%
Total votes			1,782	100.0%

Hudson Mayoral Election, 2010[5]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
General Election, April 6, 2010
	Nonpartisan	Dean R. Knudson (incumbent)	702	94.86%	+7.54%
	Nonpartisan	Kevin Hartman (write-in)	38	5.14%
Plurality			664	89.73%	+15.09%
Total votes			740	100.0%	-58.47%

Wisconsin Assembly (2010, 2012, 2014)

Wisconsin Assembly, District 30 Election, 2010[7]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
General Election, November 2, 2010
	Republican	Dean R. Knudson	14,124	62.00%	+7.26%
	Democratic	Matt Borup	8,629	37.88%	-7.29%
		Scattering	27	0.12%	+0.02%
Plurality			5,495	24.12%	+14.55%
Total votes			22,780	100.0%	-36.79%
	Republican hold

Wisconsin Assembly, District 30 Election, 2012[15]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
General Election, November 6, 2012
	Republican	Dean R. Knudson (incumbent)	17,261	55.79%	-6.21%
	Democratic	Diane Odeen	13,657	44.14%	+6.26%
		Scattering	20	0.06%	-0.05%
Plurality			3,604	11.65%	-12.47%
Total votes			30,938	100.0%	+35.81%
	Republican hold

Wisconsin Assembly, District 30 Election, 2014[16]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
General Election, November 6, 2014
	Republican	Dean R. Knudson (incumbent)	13,951	59.70%	+3.91%
	Democratic	Darrel Laumann	8,658	37.05%	-7.09%
	Independent	Laurie Kroeger	747	3.20%
		Scattering	12	0.05%	-0.01%
Plurality			5,293	22.65%	+11.00%
Total votes			23,368	100.0%	-24.47%
	Republican hold

References

1. "City of Hudson Annual Organizational Meeting Minutes of Tuesday, April 15, 2008". City of Hudson, Wisconsin. April 15, 2008. Archived from the original on May 2, 2011. Retrieved December 19, 2008 – via Wayback Machine.
2. "About Dean". State Representative Dean Knudson. Archived from the original on October 31, 2016. Retrieved November 30, 2020 – via Wayback Machine.
3. Shah, Allie (March 11, 2008). "Candidate for mayor in Hudson, Wis., is now backing his opponent". Star Tribune. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
4. "Watercooler Stories". United Press International. March 11, 2008. Retrieved October 7, 2014.
5. "Spring Election Results -- Kaisersatt, German are school board winners". RiverTowns.net. April 6, 2010. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
6. "Hudson's mayor to run for Rhoades' seat". RiverTowns.net. April 21, 2010. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
7. 2010 Fall General Election Results Summary (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Elections Commission. December 1, 2010. p. 16. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
8. "Welcome". Dean Knudson for State Assembly. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved November 30, 2020 – via Wayback Machine.
9. Spicuzza, Mary (January 15, 2015). "Elections board would become 'hybrid' model under Assembly GOP proposal". Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
10. Sommerhauser, Mark (November 21, 2015). "GAB chief: Replacing board in June 2016 'irresponsible, if not reckless'". Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
11. White, Laurel (September 25, 2017). "Former GOP Lawmaker Dean Knudson Appointed To State Elections Commission". Wisconsin Public Radio. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
12. "King Resigns from Wisconsin Elections Commission". Wisconsin Elections Commission (Press release). August 20, 2017. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
13. Sommerhauser, Mark (May 25, 2018). "State moves to avert federal lawsuit on voting hitch for some overseas voters". Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
14. "City Races". Eau Claire Leader-Telegram. April 2, 2008. p. 16. Retrieved November 30, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
15. Canvass Results for 2012 Presidential and General Election - 11/6/2012 (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Elections Commission. December 26, 2012. p. 15. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
16. Canvass Results for 2014 General Election - 11/4/2014 (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Elections Commission. November 26, 2014. pp. 15–16. Retrieved November 30, 2020.

External links

• Profile at Vote Smart
• Wisconsin Elections Commission - Official Website
• State Representative Dean Knudson - Official State Assembly Website (Archived - 10/31/2016)