Donna Rozar

Donna Mummau Rozar (née Mummau; born February 9, 1950) is an American politician, businesswoman, and nurse. A Republican, she represents the 69th district of the Wisconsin State Assembly. The 69th assembly district comprises most of the city of Marshfield, along with rural eastern Clark County, northwest Wood County, and southwest Marathon County. She was elected in the 2020 general election. Rozar is also a member of the Wood County Board of Supervisors, serving since 2000.

Donna M. Rozar
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly
from the 69th district
Assumed office
January 4, 2021
Preceded byBob Kulp
Member of the Wood County Board of Supervisors from the 2nd district
Assumed office
April 2000
Preceded byDonald Olson
Personal details
Born
Donna Kay Mummau

(1950-02-09) February 9, 1950
Lancaster, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)
  • Grady Edward "Ed" Rozar Jr.
    ​
    ​
    (m. 1975; died 1993)​
  • Micheal J. Masanz
    ​
    ​
    (m. 1997; annulled 2002)​
Children5
ResidenceMarshfield, Wisconsin, U.S.
Alma mater
Professionnurse, politician
Website

Early life and career

Donna Rozar was born Donna Kay Mummau in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and moved with her parents to Orange County, Virginia, where her father had purchased a farm.[1] She grew up on the farm and graduated from Orange County High School in 1968.[2] In 1971, she earned her nursing diploma from the Virginia Baptist Hospital School of Nursing, in Lynchburg, Virginia. She then worked a year as an emergency room nurse at the University of Virginia Hospital in Charlottesville, where she earned her nurse practitioner certificate. For the next five years, she worked as a nurse practitioner at Norfolk General Hospital, where she met her future husband, Dr. Ed Rozar.[1][2]

She married Rozar in 1975 in Orange, Virginia,[3] and moved with him to Knoxville, Tennessee. There she attended the University of Tennessee and earned her bachelor's degree in nursing in 1981. The couple moved frequently, living in Dallas, Texas, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Morgantown, West Virginia, over the next decade, adopting children along the way. They finally moved to Marshfield, Wisconsin, in 1988, where Ed was diagnosed with HIV/AIDS in 1989.[1] Ed, a cardiothoracic surgeon, chose to retire from his practice to avoid accidentally exposing anyone else to the virus.[1]

Following Ed's diagnosis, the Rozars appeared on The TODAY Show and Good Morning America to share their story; after Ed's death in 1993, Donna Rozar became a national speaker on AIDS awareness.[1]

In the 1990s, she also owned and operated Town & Country Ventures LLC, through which she invested in and managed a number of commercial and residential properties.

Political career

Aside from AIDS awareness, Rozar became an outspoken supporter of pro-life causes, which led her into Republican Party politics in Wisconsin in the 1990s.

Rozar first ran for elected office in 1994, when she challenged 20-year incumbent Democratic state representative Donald W. Hasenohrl for his seat in the Wisconsin State Assembly. Hasenohrl prevailed in the general election, but the margin—667 votes—was his closest contest since 1978.[4]

Less than four months later, in February 1995, Rozar jumped into another campaign, running in the special election in the 24th state senate district to replace state senator David Helbach, who resigned unexpectedly at the beginning of the 1995–1996 session.[5][6] Again, Rozar was defeated, taking just 43% of the vote in the May 1995 special election.[4]

In 1996, Rozar made another attempt at elected office, once again challenging state representative Donald Hasenohrl in the 70th assembly district. In November, Rozar fell short again, this time winning just 39% of the vote.[7]

After 1996, Rozar took a brief pause from seeking elected office, but remained active politically as an officer in the Republican Party of Wood County and as president of the Marshfield Woman's Club. Additionally, Rozar served on state and local commissions by appointment. Governor Tommy Thompson appointed her to the state Examining Board of Architects, Landscape Architects, Professional Geologists, Professional Engineers, Designers, and Land Surveyors in 1996;[8] the Marshfield City Council appointed her to the local Cable Committee in 1997.[9] She also became associated with a local organization known as People Interested in Clean Air, which pressed the city of Marshfield for a ban on smoking in restaurants.[10]

In April 2000, Rozar achieved her first elected office when she was elected to the Wood County Board of Supervisors, though she did not face an opponent in the race.[11] A month later, at the Republican congressional district caucuses, Rozar was elected as a delegate supporting George W. Bush for the 2000 Republican National Convention.[12][13] Rozar ran for a seat on the Marshfield Common Council in 2001, but fell 100 votes short of her opponent.[14]

In 2003, the 24th senate district became vacant again when state senator Kevin Shibilski was appointed Secretary of Tourism in the newly inaugurated administration of Governor Jim Doyle.[15] Rozar again sought the seat, but was once again defeated, this time receiving less than 30% in the April special election.[16][17]

Following her loss in 2003, Rozar returned to nursing full time in 2003, working as a cardiac medical-surgical nurse at St. Joseph's Hospital in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, and then at Marshfield Medical Center. She also pursued her master's in nursing from Viterbo University, completing the degree program in 2008.[2] She served as an instructor at the Marshfield satellite campus of University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire, but retired in 2020.[2]

In 2020, state representative Bob Kulp announced he would not seek another term in the Assembly in 2020.[18] In April 2020, after winning reelection to her 11th term on the Wood County Board, Rozar announced she would be a candidate for Wisconsin State Assembly in the 69th district.[19] She faced a crowded Republican primary field, but prevailed over her three opponents with 53% of the primary vote.[20][21][22] In the general election she faced Brian Giles, a truck driver and first-time candidate.[23] In November, she won 65% of the vote and, on her fifth attempt, was elected to the Wisconsin Legislature.[24]

Personal life and family

Donna Kay Mummau took the last name Rozar when she married Dr. Ed Rozar in 1993. Together they adopted five children who are now grown. Ed was a medical doctor and contracted HIV from a patient sometime in the mid 1980s. He died of AIDS-related complications in 1993.[2]

Donna remarried in December 1997 to Michael J. Masanz, but the marriage was annulled five years later.[25][26]

She is a member of the Wisconsin Nursing Association, the American Nursing Association, the American Nurses Credentialing Center, and the Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society of Nursing.[2]

Electoral history

Wisconsin Assembly (1994)
Wisconsin Assembly, 70th District Election, 1994[4]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
General Election, November 8, 1994
Democratic Donald W. Hasenohrl (incumbent) 8,193 51.01%
Republican Donna M. Rozar 7,526 46.86%
U.S. Taxpayers' Wayne Wiedeman 341 2.12%
Plurality 667 4.15%
Total votes 16,060 100.0% -2.77%
Democratic hold

Wisconsin Senate (1995)
Wisconsin Senate, 24th District Special Election, 1995[4]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Special Election, May 2, 1995
Democratic Kevin Shibilski 15,923 57.00%
Republican Donna M. Rozar 12,011 43.00%
Plurality 3,912 14.00%
Total votes 27,934 100.0% -44.87%
Democratic hold

Wisconsin Assembly (1996)
Wisconsin Assembly, 70th District Election, 1996[7]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Primary, September 10, 1996
Republican Donna M. Rozar 2,273 63.65%
Republican Thomas M. Liebe 1,298 36.35%
Plurality 975 27.30%
Total votes 3,571 100.0%
General Election, November 5, 1996
Democratic Donald W. Hasenohrl (incumbent) 12,957 60.96% +9.94%
Republican Donna M. Rozar 8,298 39.04% -7.82%
Plurality 4,659 21.92% +17.77%
Total votes 21,255 100.0% +32.35%
Democratic hold

Marshfield Common Council (2001)
Marshfield Common Council, 2nd Ward Election, 2001[14]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
General Election, April 3, 2001
Nonpartisan Brad Parks 269 61.42%
Nonpartisan Donna M. Rozar 169 38.58%
Plurality 100 22.83%
Total votes 438 100.0%

Wisconsin Senate (2003)
Wisconsin Senate, 24th District Special Election, 2003[17]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Special Election, April 29, 2003
Democratic Julie Lassa 12,787 62.03%
Republican Donna M. Rozar 6,118 29.68%
Independent Jesse J. Higgins 972 4.72%
Green Jo Seiser 720 3.49%
Scattering 16 0.08%
Plurality 6,669 32.35%
Total votes 20,613 100.0% -44.87%
Democratic hold

Wisconsin Assembly (2020)
Wisconsin Assembly, 69th District Election, 2020[22][24]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Primary, August 11, 2020
Republican Donna M. Rozar 3,040 52.97%
Republican Tim Miller 1,550 27.01%
Republican Michael V. Smith 906 15.79%
Republican Matthew F. Windheuser 240 4.18%
Scattering 3 0.05%
Plurality 1,490 25.96%
Total votes 5,739 100.0%
General Election, November 3, 2020
Republican Donna M. Rozar 18,568 65.85% -25.43%
Democratic Brian Giles 9,606 34.07% +25.73%
Scattering 23 0.08%
Plurality 8,962 31.78% -51.16%
Total votes 28,197 100.0% +49.15%
Republican hold

References
  1. Scarborough, Mark (October 12, 1996). "Rozar says she offers voters a choice". Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune. p. 3. Retrieved December 27, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. "About". Donna Rozar - Wisconsin Assembly. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
  3. "Mummau-Rozar". The Atlanta Constitution. December 15, 1974. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
  4. Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau (1995). "Elections" (PDF). In Barish, Lawrence S. (ed.). State of Wisconsin 1995-1996 Blue Book (Report). Madison, Wisconsin: State of Wisconsin. pp. 919, 923. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
  5. Mayers, Jeff (February 17, 1995). "Helbach resigns from Senate". Wisconsin State Journal. p. 1. Retrieved December 27, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. Steffes, Sara (February 25, 1995). "Rozar will seek Senate seat". Marshfield News-Herald. p. 15. Retrieved December 27, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau (1997). "Elections" (PDF). In Barish, Lawrence S. (ed.). State of Wisconsin 1997-1998 Blue Book (Report). Madison, Wisconsin: State of Wisconsin. pp. 901, 905. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
  8. "Rozar appointed to state board". Marshfield News-Herald. July 31, 1998. p. 3. Retrieved December 27, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. "Pay increases, budget overdraft on Council slate". Marshfield News-Herald. December 9, 1997. p. 3. Retrieved December 27, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. Fuelleman, Sarah; Gerretsen, Thom (October 29, 1999). "Smoking ban put out". Marshfield News-Herald. p. 1. Retrieved December 27, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. Laack, Troy (April 5, 2000). "5 lose Wood County Board seats". Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune. Retrieved December 27, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. Gerretsen, Thom (May 2, 2000). "Rozar GOP convention delegate". Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune. Retrieved December 27, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. Scarborough, Mark (August 19, 2000). "Rozar in heart of excitement at GOP convention". Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune. Retrieved December 27, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. Bowen, Amy E. (April 4, 2001). "Parks, Norberg claim Common Council wins". Marshfield News-Herald. p. 1. Retrieved December 27, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. Chronis, Paul (December 18, 2002). "Race begins for Shibilski's seat". Stevens Point Journal. p. 1. Retrieved December 27, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. Hicks, Allen (January 28, 2003). "Rozar to vie for Senate seat". p. 1. Retrieved December 27, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. Results of Special General Election - 04/29/2003 (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin State Elections Board. May 5, 2003. p. 1. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
  18. Schmidt, Mitchell (January 10, 2020). "Democratic Sen. Dave Hansen, GOP Rep. Bob Kulp, announce plans to retire at end of year". Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
  19. "Rozar campaign: Announces candidacy for 69th State Assembly District seat". Donna Rozar - Wisconsin Assembly (Press release). April 14, 2020. Retrieved December 28, 2020 – via Wispolitics.com.
  20. Hovorka, Alan (August 4, 2020). "Four Republicans seek nomination in bid to replace state Rep. Bob Kulp in 69th Assembly District". Marshfield News-Herald. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  21. Hovorka, Alan (August 12, 2020). "Donna Rozar wins 69th Assembly race; Calvin Callahan could succeed Mary Felzkowski in the 35th Assembly District". Stevens Point Journal. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  22. Canvass Results for 2020 Partisan Primary - 8/11/2020 (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Elections Commission. August 26, 2020. p. 42. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
  23. Siegler, Melissa (September 23, 2020). "69th Assembly District candidates Rozar, Giles discuss COVID-19 response, racial injustice". Marshfield News-Herald. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  24. Canvass Results for 2020 General Election - 11/3/2020 (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Elections Commission. November 18, 2020. p. 24. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  25. "Masanz/Rozar". Marshfield News-Herald. December 27, 1997. Retrieved December 27, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  26. "Wood County Case Number 2000FA000478 Donna M. Rozar v. Michael J. Masanz". Wisconsin Circuit Court Access. Retrieved December 27, 2020.


Wisconsin State Assembly
Preceded by
Bob Kulp		 Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the 69th district
January 4, 2021 – present		 Incumbent
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