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David Cullen (politician)

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David A. Cullen (born February 1, 1960) is an American lawyer and Democratic politician from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He is the current treasurer of Milwaukee County. Prior to his election as treasurer in 2014, he served 13 years as a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly (1990–2013), two years on the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors (2012–2014), and 7 years on the Milwaukee Public Schools Board of Education (1983–1990).

David Cullen
Treasurer of Milwaukee County
Incumbent
Assumed office
November 2014
Preceded byDaniel J. Diliberti
Member of the
Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors
from the 15th district
In office
April 16, 2012 – November 2014
Preceded byLynne D. De Bruin
Succeeded byEddie Cullen
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly
In office
January 4, 1993 – January 7, 2013
Preceded byThomas Seery
Succeeded byRob Hutton
Constituency13th Assembly district
In office
May 15, 1990 – January 4, 1993
Preceded byTom Barrett
Succeeded byPeggy Rosenzweig
Constituency14th Assembly district
Personal details
Born (1960-02-01) February 1, 1960 (age 64)
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseJulie Kamerling
Children2
ResidenceMilwaukee, Wisconsin
Alma materUniversity of Wisconsin, Madison (BS)
Marquette University (JD)
ProfessionAttorney
WebsiteOfficial website

Early life and education

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David Cullen was born on February 1, 1960, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.[1] His father died of a heart attack a when he was an infant. He graduated from Milwaukee's John Marshall High School, and went on to attend the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where he earned his bachelor's degree in secondary education in 1981. He continued his education at Marquette University Law School, and obtained his J.D. in 1984.[1]

Political career

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School board

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While still attending law school, Cullen was elected to his first public office. He was elected to the Milwaukee Public Schools board of education and served continuously on the board until 1990. The year after his election to the school board, Cullen made his first run for Wisconsin State Assembly, seeking the Democratic Party nomination in what was then the 15th Assembly district. The 1984 election was the first election on new legislative maps, and there was no incumbent living in the new district, comprising precincts of Milwaukee's northwest. The Democratic primary ultimately attracted three other contenders. Cullen came in a respectable second behind Shirley Krug, who went on to win the seat.[2]

In 1987, Cullen was chosen as president of the Milwaukee school board. His most significant contribution in this role came in the settlement of a years-old lawsuit, in which the Milwaukee school board had sued the state over racial segregation of Milwaukee-area schools. As school board president, Cullen participated in negotiations with then-governor Tommy Thompson, then-state superintendent Herbert J. Grover, and then-NAACP general counsel Grover Hankins. They reached a settlement with cooperation from the state and surrounding school districts, where minority students from Milwaukee would gain access to schools in Milwaukee's suburbs, as well as increased state financial assistance to Milwaukee schools.[3]

State Assembly

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In the fall of 1989, Cullen's state representative, Tom Barrett, was elected to the Wisconsin Senate, creating a vacancy in what was then the 14th Assembly district. Cullen entered the special election to fill the vacancy. As in 1984, the Democratic primary attracted several other candidates, but Cullen prevailed this time, receiving 47% of the vote over his three opponents. He went on to win the May 1, 1990, special election with 58% of the vote.[4] Cullen took office two weeks later and won a full term in the Assembly that fall.[4]

In 1992, a federal court conducted Wisconsin's legislative redistricting, and Cullen's district was significantly impacted. Under the new plan, he resided in the 13th Assembly district, a district that contained roughly the western half of his old district, plus more northwestern precincts of Milwaukee. Politically, the district was still safely Democratic, and Cullen easily won a second full term in 1992.[5]

In the 1992 election, Tom Barrett was elected to the United States House of Representatives and vacated his state senate seat. Cullen decided to jump into another special election to try to succeed Barrett again, this time in the 5th Senate district. Cullen narrowly defeated fellow incumbent state representative Jeannette Bell in the Democratic primary,[5] but fell short of Republican state representative Peggy Rosenzweig in the April 1993 special election, receiving 46% of the vote.[6] Cullen was subsequently elected to four more terms in the Assembly on the 1992 maps.[6][7][8][9]

Another redistricting occurred by federal court in 2002, and again radically transformed Cullen's district. The northern areas added in 1992 were all removed, the district instead stretched south through the eastern precincts of Wauwatosa, into the Bluemound Heights area and incorporating all of the territory of West Milwaukee. On the new map, Cullen won one of his closest elections of his career in 2002, when he defeated Republican Steve Adamczyk by just 517 votes.[10] He increased his margin 2004, defeating newcomer Matt Adamczyk with 57% of the vote.[11] He won handily in 2006 and 2010 and was unopposed in 2008.[12][13][14]

County government

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Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors

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After the 2010 election, Republicans won full control of state government and implemented one of the most dramatic gerrymanders in the country. Cullen's district was eviscerated. Under the new map, he resided in the 14th Assembly district again, but nearly all of the Milwaukee wards had been removed, the district instead contained half of Wauwatosa and stretched west into the city of Brookfield, in Waukesha County.[15] Cullen opted not to run in the new district, and instead ran for a seat on the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors in the Sprin 2012 election.[16] He was elected with 58% of the vote.[17]

Milwaukee County Treasurer

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In April 2014, Milwaukee County treasurer Daniel J. Diliberti announced he would retire effective May 12.[18] His retirement necessitated a special election to fill the remaining years of his term. Cullen entered the race and faced former state treasurer Dawn Marie Sass in the Democratic Party primary election. Cullen narrowly prevailed with 53% of the vote, and faced no opponent in the general election.[19][20][21][22] Cullen was sworn in shortly after the election, as the office was already vacant, and was subsequently elected to a full term in 2016, and re-elected in 2020, without facing opposition.[23][24]

In 2024, Cullen turned back a Democratic primary challenge from former county official Ted Chisholm with over 66% of the vote and is unopposed in the general election.[25]

Personal life and family

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David Cullen is one of six children born to Charles Edwin Cullen and his wife Beatrice June (née Chrisien).[26]

Heart disease runs in the Cullen family, resulting in the deaths of Cullen's father and three brothers at relatively young ages. His father, Charles Cullen, died at age 40, in 1961. His older brother, Steve Cullen, was a member of the Milwaukee City Council from 1980 to 1992, and died at age 40 in 1995. Two other brothers, Paul G. Cullen, 53, and Timothy C. Cullen, 51, died on back-to-back days in December 2002.[27]

David Cullen married Julie Kamerling; they reside in Milwaukee and have two adult children, Katie and Eddie. Eddie Cullen was elected to the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors, serving from 2015 to 2022, and now works as a spokesman for the board.[28]

Electoral history

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Wisconsin Assembly, 15th district (1984)

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Year Election Date Elected Defeated Total Plurality
1984[2] Primary Sep. 11 Shirley Krug Democratic 2,390 52.77% David Cullen Dem. 1,756 38.77% 4,529 634
Norman Goldberg Dem. 275 6.07%
Arthur W. McConkey Dem. 108 2.38%

Wisconsin Assembly, 14th district (1990)

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Year Election Date Elected Defeated Total Plurality
1990[4]
special 		Special
Primary 		Apr. 3 David Cullen Democratic 2,904 47.48% Daniel M. Chudnow Dem. 2,470 40.39% 6,116 434
Vivian Redd Fehr Dem. 688 11.25%
John Sokoly Dem. 54 0.88%
Special May 1 David Cullen Democratic 2,347 58.56% Steven A. Woehrer Rep. 1,661 41.44% 4,008 686
1990[4] Primary Sep. 11 David Cullen (inc) Democratic 2,648 81.25% Ronald J. Johnson Dem. 611 18.75% 3,259 2,037
General Nov. 6 David Cullen (inc) Democratic 11,120 100.0% --unopposed-- 11,120 11,120

Wisconsin Senate (1993)

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Year Election Date Elected Defeated Total Plurality
1993 Primary[5] Feb. 16 David Cullen Democratic 9,321 51.01% Jeannette Bell Dem. 8,953 48.99% 18,274 368
Special[6] Apr. 6 Peggy Rosenzweig Republican 18,713 52.01% David Cullen Dem. 16,634 46.23% 35,978 2,079
John T. Streicher Lib. 631 1.75%

Wisconsin Assembly, 13th district (1992–2010)

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Year Election Date Elected Defeated Total Plurality
1992 General[5] Nov. 3 David Cullen Democratic 15,401 62.98% James J. Ryan Rep. 9,054 37.02% 24,455 6,347
1994 General[6] Nov. 8 David Cullen (inc) Democratic 10,079 56.27% Doug Weare Rep. 7,833 43.73% 17,912 2,246
1996 General[7] Nov. 5 David Cullen (inc) Democratic 12,232 57.45% Dave Schultz Rep. 9,058 42.55% 21,290 3,174
1998 General[8] Nov. 3 David Cullen (inc) Democratic 11,864 71.41% Liliana Amparo Rep. 4,344 26.15% 16,615 7,520
John Washburn Lib. 230 1.38%
Wendell J. Harris Sr. Ind. 177 1.07%
2000 General[9] Nov. 7 David Cullen (inc) Democratic 18,080 98.85% --unopposed-- 18,290 17,870
2002 General[10] Nov. 5 David Cullen (inc) Democratic 10,418 51.19% Steve Adamczyk Rep. 9,901 48.65% 20,353 517
2004 General[11] Nov. 2 David Cullen (inc) Democratic 17,765 56.84% Matt Adamczyk Rep. 13,428 42.96% 31,256 4,337
2006 General[12] Nov. 7 David Cullen (inc) Democratic 15,216 64.34% Rick Baas Rep. 8,402 35.53% 23,648 6,814
2008 General[13] Nov. 4 David Cullen (inc) Democratic 21,963 98.42% --unopposed-- 22,316 21,610
2010 General[14] Nov. 2 David Cullen (inc) Democratic 14,364 76.25% Lisa R. Becker Rep. 4,409 23.41% 18,837 9,955

Milwaukee County treasurer (2014, 2016, 2020)

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Year Election Date Elected Defeated Total Plurality
2014 Primary[21] Aug. 12 David Cullen Democratic 39,370 52.88% Dawn Marie Sass Dem. 34,641 46.53% 74,450 4,729
General[22] Nov. 4 David Cullen Democratic 262,670 97.93% --Unopposed-- 268,223 257,117
2016 General[23] Nov. 8 David Cullen (inc) Democratic 309,930 98.43% 314,879 304,981
2020 General[24] Nov. 3 David Cullen (inc) Democratic 344,967 98.35% 350,753 339,181

References

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  1. ^ a b "Cullen, David A. 1960". Wisconsin Historical Society. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
  2. ^ a b Theobald, H. Rupert; Robbins, Patricia V., eds. (1985). "Elections in Wisconsin". State of Wisconsin 1985–1986 Blue Book (Report). Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. p. 906. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
  3. ^ "Accord reached on school bias suit". The Capital Times. July 24, 1987. p. 21. Retrieved January 6, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ a b c d Barish, Lawrence S.; Theobald, H. Rupert, eds. (1991). "Elections in Wisconsin". State of Wisconsin 1991–1992 Blue Book (Report). Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. pp. 899, 915. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
  5. ^ a b c d Barish, Lawrence S.; Theobald, H. Rupert, eds. (1993). "Elections in Wisconsin". State of Wisconsin 1993–1994 Blue Book (Report). Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. pp. 900, 903, 921. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
  6. ^ a b c d Barish, Lawrence S., ed. (1995). "Elections in Wisconsin". State of Wisconsin 1995–1996 Blue Book (Report). Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. pp. 903, 918, 921. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
  7. ^ a b Barish, Lawrence S., ed. (1997). "Elections in Wisconsin". State of Wisconsin 1997–1998 Blue Book (Report). Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. pp. 899, 903. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
  8. ^ a b Barish, Lawrence S.; Meloy, Patricia E., eds. (1999). "Elections in Wisconsin". State of Wisconsin 1999–2000 Blue Book (Report). Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. pp. [1], 882. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
  9. ^ a b Results of Fall General Election - 11/07/2000 (Report). Wisconsin State Elections Board. May 10, 2001. p. 14. Retrieved January 6, 2024 – via Wisconsin Historical Society.
  10. ^ a b Results of Fall General Election - 11/05/2002 (Report). Wisconsin State Elections Board. December 2, 2002. p. 15. Retrieved January 6, 2024 – via Wisconsin Historical Society.
  11. ^ a b Results of Fall General Election - 11/02/2004 (Report). Wisconsin State Elections Board. December 1, 2004. p. 15. Retrieved January 6, 2024 – via Wisconsin Historical Society.
  12. ^ a b Results of Fall General Election - 11/07/2006 (Report). Wisconsin State Elections Board. December 11, 2006. p. 16. Retrieved January 6, 2024 – via Wisconsin Historical Society.
  13. ^ a b Results of Fall General Election - 11/04/2008 (Report). Wisconsin State Elections Board. December 1, 2008. p. 14. Retrieved January 6, 2024 – via Wisconsin Historical Society.
  14. ^ a b Results of Fall General Election - 11/02/2010 (Report). Wisconsin Government Accountability Board. December 1, 2010. p. 12. Retrieved January 6, 2024 – via Wisconsin Historical Society.
  15. ^ Pohlman, Julie; Lemanski, Lynn, eds. (2013). "Biographies" (PDF). State of Wisconsin 2013–2014 Blue Book (Report). Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. p. 28. ISBN 978-0-9752820-6-9. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
  16. ^ Sandler, Larry (December 6, 2011). "Rep. Cullen seeks Milwaukee County Board seat". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
  17. ^ Schultze, Steve (April 3, 2012). "Incumbents prevail in Milwaukee County Board races". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
  18. ^ "Treasurer Diliberti Announces Retirement" (PDF). Milwaukee County (Press release). April 23, 2014. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
  19. ^ Stokes, Karen (August 9, 2014). "Wisconsin voters are headed to the polls to decide a variety of primary races". Milwaukee Courier. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
  20. ^ Pabst, Georgia (August 13, 2014). "David Clarke defeats Chris Moews in sheriff's race". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
  21. ^ a b Milwaukee County 2014 Fall Partisan Primary (PDF) (Report). Milwaukee County Elections Commission. August 27, 2014. p. 1. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 12, 2015. Retrieved January 6, 2024 – via Wayback Machine.
  22. ^ a b Milwaukee County 2014 General Election (PDF) (Report). Milwaukee County Elections Commission. November 18, 2014. p. 1. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 22, 2014. Retrieved January 6, 2024 – via Wayback Machine.
  23. ^ a b Milwaukee County 2016 General Election (PDF) (Report). Milwaukee County Elections Commission. November 18, 2016. p. 7. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 8, 2017. Retrieved January 6, 2024 – via Wayback Machine.
  24. ^ a b Milwaukee County 2020 General Election (PDF) (Report). Milwaukee County Elections Commission. November 16, 2020. p. 1. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
  25. ^ Kilmer, Graham (13 August 2024). "County Treasurer Cullen Withstands Chisholm's Challenge". Urban Milwaukee. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
  26. ^ "Beatrice J. Cullen". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. November 6, 2004. Retrieved January 7, 2024 – via Legacy.com.
  27. ^ "State Rep. loses two brothers in two days". Oshkosh Northwestern. December 5, 2002. p. 14. Retrieved January 7, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  28. ^ Behm, Don (April 7, 2015). "Omokunde, Cullen win County Board seats". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
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Wisconsin State Assembly
Preceded by Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the 14th district
May 15, 1990 – January 4, 1993 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the 13th district
January 4, 1993 – January 7, 2013 		Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by
Daniel J. Diliberti
 Treasurer of Milwaukee County
November 2014 – present 		Incumbent
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