Tim Michels

Timothy J. Michels (born August 7, 1962) is an American businessman from Brownsville, Wisconsin. He co-owns and co-manages Michels Corporation, a family-owned and operated construction company,[1] the largest in Wisconsin.

Timothy J. Michels
Personal details
Born	August 7, 1962[1] Lomira, Wisconsin, U.S.
Nationality	American
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Barbara[1]
Children	Hank, Sophie, Will
Alma mater	Illinois Institute of Technology, St. Norbert College, University of Chicago[1]
Occupation	Co-owner and Vice President of Michels Corporation, Brownsville, Wisconsin

Michels was the 2004 Republican nominee for U.S. Senate from Wisconsin, running against the incumbent Democrat Russ Feingold. Michels lost in the general election to Feingold; 55% to 44%.

Family and personal life

Michels and his wife Barbara

Michels graduated from Lomira High School in 1980, and obtained a bachelor's degree in political science in 1984 from St. Norbert College.[1] He received an MBA from the University of Chicago in 1997 and an MPA from the Illinois Institute of Technology the same year.[1]

Michels has 12 years of active duty service as an Airborne Ranger Infantry Officer in the U.S. Army, where he earned the rank of Major.[1] He is a member of the American Legion and VFW.

Michels is married to Barbara; they have three children. He works at Michels Corporation in Brownsville, Wisconsin, the small farming town where he grew up.

Business career

Michels is co-owner and vice-president of Michels Corporation, Brownsville, Wisconsin,[2] a utility construction firm.

Electoral history

In 1998 Michels made a bid for the state Senate, and received 30 percent of the vote in the Republican primary, losing to the incumbent senator.[3]

2004 U.S. Senate Election

In 2004, Michels, defeated Russ Darrow, Jr., State Senator Bob Welch, and attorney Robert Lorge in the Republican primary for the U.S. Senate. He holds the record through 2010 for the most votes for a Republican in the history of Wisconsin.[2]

The two sparred on such topics as Feingold's opposition to the Patriot Act, taxes, health care, and Feingold's opposition to the George W. Bush administration policies.[4] [5] The military veteran Michels strongly supported the Iraq War.[4] Feingold pointed out Michel's political inexperience.[4] Michels lost the general election to Russ Feingold, 55% to 44%.[6]

Of particular interest in this election was a study conducted by Princeton University in 2005.[7] They found that a quick look at a candidate’s photograph — a one-second exposure — created an initial impression that often lasted through the more deliberative process that helps a voter decide. The researchers showed study participants photos of Tim Michels and Russ Feingold, and were able to predict the outcome of the election based solely on facial appearances.[8][9]

2004

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Russell D. Feingold	1,632,697	55
	Republican	Tim Michels	1,301,183	44
	Libertarian	Arif Khan	8,367	1
	Independent	Eugene A. Hem	6,662	1

References

1. "Tim Michels". Washington Post. June 30, 2004. Retrieved July 5, 2012.
2. Marley, Patrick (August 17, 2009). "Doyle vows to finish term". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved April 1, 2011.
3. Whittington, Lauren W. (September 15, 2003). "GOP Churns Up The Dairy State". Roll Call. Archived from the original on December 19, 2020.
4. Kinzer, Stephen (October 11, 2004). "In Swing-State Wisconsin, Foreign Policy and Domestic Security Stir a Senate Race". New York Times. Retrieved July 5, 2012.
5. "Wisconsin". New York Times. November 4, 2004. Retrieved July 5, 2012.
6. Bauer, Scott. "Obama Returning University of Wisconsin to Court Young Voters". Associated Press. Retrieved July 5, 2012.
7. http://www.sciencemag.org/content/308/5728/1623.abstract
8. NBC News
9. "Science". The Washington Post. June 13, 2005.

External links

• Wisconsin Senate Debate, October 22, 2004 on C-SPAN