Jodi Emerson

Jodene Emerson (born August 3, 1972) is an American activist and Democratic politician. She represents the city of Eau Claire in the Wisconsin State Assembly.

Jodi Emerson
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly
from the 91st district
Assumed office
January 7, 2019
Preceded byDana Wachs
Personal details
Born (1972-08-03) August 3, 1972
Eau Claire, Wisconsin, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)Julian
Children2
ResidenceEau Claire, Wisconsin
Alma materUW-River Falls (attended)
WebsiteOfficial website

Early life, education, and family

Emerson was born and raised in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and graduated from Memorial High School. Emerson attended University of Wisconsin–River Falls for two years before starting a family. Emerson is married to Eau Claire Leader-Telegram reporter Julian Emerson and has two adult daughters. She has been a PTA president and Girl Scout troop leader.

Career

Emerson has been an adjunct instructor on human trafficking topics at the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire.[1]

Emerson with Governor Scott Walker at a bill signing in April 2016

Emerson was a legal assistant in a law office and worked as the Director of Public Policy and Community Relations for Fierce Freedom, a nonprofit advocacy organization that worked to address human trafficking. Emerson has been an anti-trafficking advocate and author of a number of successful bipartisan pieces of legislation, including Senate Bill 344, Senate Bill 396, Senate Bill 618, Assembly Bill 16, Assembly Bill 186, Assembly Bill 435, and Act 367.[2][3][4]

Emerson also developed a statewide program to train hotel workers to spot the signs of human trafficking and co-chaired the development of the statewide community response protocol on human trafficking.[5][6][7] In 2015, Emerson was appointed to serve on Wisconsin's Anti Human Trafficking Task Force.[8] Emerson has also been a member of the Wisconsin Anti-Trafficking Consortium and the Wisconsin Anti-Trafficking Advisory Council, serving as a frequent guest speaker and panelists at churches, schools and libraries across the midwest.[9]

Wisconsin State Assembly

In March 2018, Emerson announced her run for District 91 of the Wisconsin State Assembly. The seat was held by Dana Wachs at the time, but was he was not seeking reelection due to his run for governor.[10] Emerson was endorsed by EMILY's List, Fair Wisconsin, Citizen Action of Wisconsin, State Senator La Tonya Johnson, State Representative Jill Billings, former State Representative Kristen Dexter, and the Wisconsin Chapter of the National Organization for Women.[11]

Emerson currently serves on the following committees in the Wisconsin State Assembly:

  • Committee on Aging and Long-Term Care
  • Committee on Colleges and Universities
  • Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety
  • Committee on Family Law
  • Committee on International Affairs/Commerce

Electoral history
Wisconsin Assembly, 91st District Election, 2018
Party Candidate Votes %
Primary Election[12]
Democratic Jodi Emerson 2,648 37.10
Democratic Thomas Vue 1,890 26.48
Democratic Eric Larson 1,778 24.91
Democratic Rich Postlewaite 814 11.40
Write-ins 8 0.11
Total votes 7,138 100.0
General Election[13]
Democratic Jodi Emerson 17,512 66.47
Republican Echo Reardon 8,798 33.39
Write-ins 37 0.14
Total votes 26,347 100.0
Democratic hold

Notes
  1. "Human Trafficking in Wisconsin: Next Steps for Professionals". Continuing Education. University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  2. Kravinsky, Nina (9 February 2015). "Recent events bring light to Wisconsin's human trafficking problem". Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  3. Opoien, Jessie (9 February 2016). "Stalking, domestic abuse and human trafficking protection bill headed to Scott Walker's desk". The Cap Times. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  4. "E-Update". State Representative Kathy Bernier. State of Wisconsin. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  5. O'Neill, Madalyn (19 May 2017). "Group training hotel staff to spot signs of human trafficking". News 8000 WKBT. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  6. Bringe, Jessica (8 May 2017). ""Be Aware" campaign combats Chippewa Valley human trafficking". WEAU 13 News. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  7. Kremer, Rich (9 May 2017). "Non-Profit Advocacy Group Fierce Freedom Says Workers Can Be Eyes, Ears Of Law Enforcement". Wisconsin Public Radio. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  8. "Wisconsin Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force Membership" (PDF). Wisconsin Department of Children and Families. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  9. Macek, Katy (11 January 2018). "Speaker: Sex trafficking occurs more frequently than many think". Leader Telegram. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  10. Sarafin, Claire (2 March 2018). "Eau Claire's Jodi Emerson announces run for WI Assembly". WQOW News 18. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  11. "ENDORSEMENTS | EmersonforAssembly". Emerson For Assembly | Jodi. Retrieved 2018-08-16.
  12. Canvass Results for 2018 Partisan Primary (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin State Elections Board. August 14, 2018. p. 104. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
  13. Canvass Results for 2018 General Election (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin State Elections Board. November 6, 2018. p. 31. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
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