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Scott Hassett
Scott Hassett (born in Dunn County, Wisconsin) is a former Wisconsin Secretary of Natural Resources. On July 30, 2009, he announced his candidacy for the statewide office of attorney general, challenging Republican incumbent J.B. Van Hollen.[1] Fourteen months later, however, Hassett lost in the general election on Tuesday, November 2nd, 2010 after receiving slightly over forty-two percent of the vote.
Professional experience
Hassett has served as a trial attorney, handling both civil and criminal litigation, for the past twenty-two years. He is a partner and shareholder for Lawton & Cates, S.C., a Madison-based private practice law firm.
Political career
In 2003, Hassett was appointed by then-newly elected Governor Jim Doyle as Wisconsin Secretary of Natural Resources. He remained in the position until he resigned July 2007 in order to "write, travel and consult on environmental and regulatory issues."[2]
Noteworthy events
Active status
With roughly six weeks left before the general election, the Wisconsin State Board of Bar Examiners, the state agency that evaluates attorneys, told Hassett that he lacked the necessary credits to practice law within the state. For five years starting in 2004, Hassett's law license was placed on inactive status during his tenure as Secretary of the State Department of Natural Resources. He had "sent the board a letter saying he had completed the 30 credit hours of continuing legal education he thought he needed to regain active status" in July 2009.[3] Two months earlier, however, an amendment was passed that required "anyone who was inactive for two or more years to obtain 60 credits, not 30, to regain active status."[3] In spite of this, the board cleared Hassett to reinstate his active status as a lawyer within the state.
Ultimately, the State Board decided "to allow attorney general candidate Scott Hassett and several other attorneys to continue to actively practice law, even though they lack the required number of continuing legal education hours."[4]
Other roles
- Former managing editor, Jefferson Banner
- Member, Ducks Unlimited
- Member, Oak Ridge Rifle Club
- Member, Gathering Waters Conservancy
- Member, River Alliance of Wisconsin
- Member, Muskies, Inc. International
- Member, Wisconsin Bowhunters
Elections
2010
- 2010 Race for Attorney General - Democratic Primary
- Scott Hassett ran unopposed in this contest
| 2010 Race for Attorney General - General Election[5] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote Percentage | |
| Republican Party |  J.B. Van Hollen
|
57.8% | |
| Democratic Party | Scott Hassett | 42.2% | |
| Total Votes | 2,112,390 | ||
2003
Hassett was appointed Wisconsin Secretary of Natural Resources by Gov. Jim Doyle. He resigned from the post in 2007.[2]
Campaign finance summary
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Personal
Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Hassett currently resides in Lake Mills, Wisconsin with his wife, Chris. The couple has had two children together - Tyler and Whitney.
Contact information
Campaign Address:
Scott Hassett for AG
P.O. Box 1937
Madison, WI 53701-1937
Phone: (608) 577-8359
E-mail: justin@hassettforag.com
See also
- Attorney General of Wisconsin
- Wisconsin Attorney General election, 2010
- Wisconsin Secretary of Natural Resources
External links
- Project Vote Smart - Scott Hassett biography
- Hassettforag.com 2010 Campaign website
The Internet Archive's Wayback Machine was used to recall this version of the website from September 23, 2010.
Footnotes
- ↑ Blogging Blue, "Van Hollen gets a challenger" 30 July, 2009
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 The Rhinelander Daily News, "DNR secretary Scott Hassett resigns his post" 21 July, 2007 (dead link)
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Green Bay Press Gazette, "Wisconsin Democratic attorney general candidate Scott Hassett faced law license review" 19 Sept. 2010
- ↑ WXOW News 19 "Board allows Hassett to practice law, without required education" 25 Sept. 2010
- ↑ Wisconsin Government Accountability Board - 2010 General Election Results
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by NA |
Wisconsin Secretary of Natural Resources 2003–2007 |
Succeeded by NA |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
