Luther Olsen

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Luther Olsen
LutherOlsen.jpg
Wisconsin State Senate District 14
Incumbent
In office
2005 - Present
Term ends
January 2, 2017
Years in position 8
PartyRepublican
Compensation
Base salary$49,943/year
Per diem$88/day
Elections and appointments
Last electionNovember 6, 2012
First elected2004
Next electionNovember 8, 2016
Term limitsN/A
Prior offices
Assembly Member, Wisconsin State Assembly
1995 - 2005
Education
Bachelor'sUniversity of Wisconsin, Madison, 1973
Personal
Birthday02/26/1951
Place of birthBerlin, WI
Websites
Office website
Personal website
Campaign website
CandidateVerification

Contents

Luther Olsen (b. February 26, 1951) is a Republican member of the Wisconsin Senate. He has represented District 14 since 2004. He was previously a Representative on the Wisconsin State Assembly from 1994 to 2004. He was also a member of the Berlin Area School Board from 1976 to 1997 and its President from 1986 to 1995.

Olsen's professional experience includes Olsen's Mill, Incorporated.

Olsen earned his BS from University of Wisconsin, Madison. [1]

Olsen survived a recall attempt in 2011. He and his wife have six children.

Committee assignments

2013-2014

At the beginning of the 2013 legislative session, Olsen served on the following committees:

Wisconsin Committee Assignments, 2013
• Education, Chair
• Finance
• Insurance and Housing, Vice Chair
• Joint Finance
• Joint Legislative Council, Co-chair

2011-2012

At the beginning of the 2011 legislative session, Olsen served on the following committees:

2009-2010

At the beginning of the 2009 legislative session, Olsen served on the following committees:

Issues

2012

Campaign themes

According to his official campaign website, Olsen's 2012 re-election priorities focus on three issues: Lowering taxes, balancing the budget, and creating family supporting jobs.[2]

Elections

2012

Olsen won re-election to the Wisconsin State Senate, District 14. He defeated David Wayne Eiler in the August 14th primary[3] and Margarete Worthington (D) in the general election which took place on November 6, 2012.[4]

Wisconsin State Senate, District 14, General Election, 2012
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Margarete Worthington 42.4% 34,742
     Republican Green check mark.jpgLuther Olsen Incumbent 57.5% 47,137
     - Scattering 0.1% 62
Total Votes 81,941

2011 recall

Seal of Wisconsin.svg.png
2011 Wisconsin Senate Recalls
Senators Facing Recall
Robert Cowles • Alberta Darling • Sheila Harsdorf • Dave Hansen • Jim Holperin • Randy Hopper • Dan Kapanke • Luther Olsen • Robert Wirch
Other Recall Information
Recalls by Year • Recall Law in Wisconsin • Recall laws in other states • Recalls in Wisconsin • 2011 Scott Walker Budget Repair Bill • Protests over Budget Repair Bill • Wisconsin Government Accountability Board • Recall timeline • Election Results
See also: Recall of Wisconsin State Senators (2011) and Luther Olsen recall, Wisconsin State Senate (2011)

Olsen successfully survived a recall attempt in 2011.

The Democratic Party of Wisconsin began a recall campaign targeting Olsen and 7 of his Republican colleagues in the Wisconsin State Senate in March 2011.[5][6] The campaign filed approximately 24,000 signatures with election officials on April 18.[7]

On May 9, the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board verified 22,381 signatures, 14,733 were necessary to force a recall. Olsen challenged the petitions, citing missing paperwork as well as the possibility of hundreds of invalid signatures. The Board heard arguments on May 23,[8] rejecting most of the challenges. This cleared the way for a recall election to be held July 12,[9] but since multiple candidates filed a primary was held July 12 with the recall on August 9.

Opponents

Democratic state Rep. Fred Clark announced on April 21[10] he would run against Olsen in a recall.[11]

Rol Church, a Republican supporter, ran as a protest candidate in order to necessitate a Democratic primary between himself and Clark.[12] Robert Forseth was running as a "placeholder" Democrat but did not file final paperwork.

July 12 Democratic primary[13]
Candidates Votes Percent
Fred Clark Approveda 15,052 66.7%
Rol Church 7,346 32.55%
Scattering 169 0.75%
  • Robert Forseth Note: Forseth filed nomination papers with sufficient signatures but did not file final papers to be on the ballot.

The recall election took place on August 9 with Olsen defeating Clark.

August 9 Recall - District 14[14]
Candidates Votes Percent
Luther Olsen (R) Green check mark.jpg 26,553 52.1%
Fred Clark (D) 24,355 47.79%
Scattering 56 .11%

2008

On November 4, 2008, Luther Olsen won re-election to the Wisconsin State Senate, District 14. He ran unopposed.[15]

Luther Olsen raised $22,430 for his campaign.[16]

Wisconsin State Senate, District 14 (2008)
Candidates Votes
Green check mark.jpg Luther Olsen (R) 54,138

Recent legislation sponsored or co-sponsored by Sen. Olsen includes:[17][18]

  • A bill to discourage frivolous lawsuits and claims[19]
  • A bill urging Congress not to pas the Employee Free Choice Act regarding labor unions[20]
  • A bill to create the Indoor Environmental Quality in Schools Task Force[21]
  • A bill to prohibit certain political contributions during the period of the biennial budget act[22]
  • A bill to give tax credits to businesses with workplace wellness programs[23]

Campaign donors

Comprehensive donor information for Olsen is available dating back to 1998. Based on available campaign finance records, Olsen raised a total of $488,285 during that time period. This information was last updated on May 31, 2013.[24]

Luther Olsen's Campaign Contribution History
Year Office Result Contributions
2012 Wisconsin State Senate, District 14 Won $124,600
2011 Wisconsin State Senate, District 14 Won $187,356
2010 Wisconsin State Senate, District 14 Not up for election $20,755
2008 Wisconsin State Senate, District 14 Won $22,430
2006 Wisconsin State Senate, District 14 Not up for election $28,556
2004 Wisconsin State Senate, District 14 Won $43,699
2002 Wisconsin State Assembly, District 41 Won $16,411
2000 Wisconsin State Assembly, District 41 Won $30,278
1998 Wisconsin State Assembly, District 41 Won $14,200
Grand Total Raised $488,285

2012

Olsen won re-election to the Wisconsin State Senate in 2012. During that election cycle, Olsen raised a total of $124,600.

2011

Olsen won re-election to the Wisconsin State Senate in 2011. During that election cycle, Olsen raised a total of $187,356.

2010

Olsen was not up for election to the Wisconsin State Senate in 2010. During that election cycle, Olsen raised a total of $20,755.

2008

Olsen won re-election to the Wisconsin State Senate in 2008. During that election cycle, Olsen raised a total of $22,430.

2006

Olsen was not up for election to the Wisconsin State Senate in 2006. During that election cycle, Olsen raised a total of $28,556.

2004

Olsen won election to the Wisconsin State Senate in 2004. During that election cycle, Olsen raised a total of $43,699.

2002

Olsen won re-election to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2002. During that election cycle, Olsen raised a total of $16,411.

2000

Olsen won re-election to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2000. During that election cycle, Olsen raised a total of $30,278.

1998

Olsen won re-election to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 1998. During that election cycle, Olsen raised a total of $14,200.

Recent news

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External links

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References

  1. ↑ Project Vote Smart - Senator Olsen
  2. ↑ Official Campaign Website, "Home," accessed August 12, 2012
  3. ↑ Associated Press Election Results, "Wisconsin State Senate Primary Results 2012," August 14, 2012
  4. ↑ Wisconsin Government Accountability Board "2012 Candidate List
  5. ↑ "Recall the Republican 8" website
  6. ↑ AOL News, "Wisconsin Election Recall Reality Check", February 23, 2011
  7. ↑ Associated Press, "Petition filed to recall 4th GOP Wisconsin senator", April 19, 2011
  8. ↑ The Northwestern, "Independent state reviews of petitions to recall Republican State Senators Randy Hopper, Luther Olsen are valid," May 9, 2011
  9. ↑ FOX 11, "GAB clears way for 3 GOP recall elections," May 23, 2011
  10. ↑ FOX 11, "Clark to challenge Olsen in recall," April 22, 2011
  11. ↑ Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Wisconsin Senate recall races tempt Assembly members," April 30, 2011
  12. ↑ Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Wisconsin GOP leaders encouraging colleagues to place fake Democrats on recall ballots," June 5, 2011
  13. ↑ Wisconsin Government Accountability Board, "July 12 Primary Election Results District 14," Accessed July 11, 2011
  14. ↑ Wisconsin Government Accountability Board, "District 14 Recall Election Results," August 19, 2011
  15. ↑ Wisconsin State Election Results
  16. ↑ Follow the Money 2008
  17. ↑ Legislation
  18. ↑ Luther Olsen on State Surge
  19. ↑ Bill 197
  20. ↑ Bill 30
  21. ↑ Bill 41
  22. ↑ Bill 23
  23. ↑ Bill 56
  24. ↑ followthemoney.org, "Olsen, Luther," accessed May 31, 2013
Political offices
Preceded by
' 		Wisconsin State Senate District 14
2004–present 		Succeeded by
NA
v • d • e
Republican majority Current members of the Wisconsin State Senate
Senate President: Michael G. Ellis (R) • Senate Majority Leader: Scott Fitzgerald (R) • Senate Minority Leader: Chris Larson (D)
Democratic (15) • Republican (18) • Wisconsin Senate • Wisconsin State Assembly
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