Howard L. Marklein (born October 3, 1954) is an American Republican politician and retired accountant and fraud examiner from Sauk County, Wisconsin. He is a member of the Wisconsin Senate, representing Wisconsin's 17th Senate district since 2015; he was president pro tempore of the Senate from 2017 through 2021, and is now the Senate co-chair of the Legislature's influential Joint Finance Committee. Previously, he served four years in the Wisconsin State Assembly, representing the 51st Assembly district.
Howard Marklein | |
|---|---|
| Senate Co-Chair of the Wisconsin Legislature's Joint Finance Committee | |
| Assumed office January 4, 2021 | |
| Preceded by | Alberta Darling |
| President pro tempore of the Wisconsin Senate | |
| In office January 3, 2017 – January 4, 2021 | |
| Preceded by | Rick Gudex |
| Succeeded by | Patrick Testin |
| Member of the Wisconsin Senate from the 17th district | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2015 | |
| Preceded by | Dale Schultz |
| Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the 51st district | |
| In office January 3, 2011 – January 3, 2015 | |
| Preceded by | Steve Hilgenberg |
| Succeeded by | Todd Novak |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 3, 1954 Madison, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Peggy McNeil |
| Children | 2 |
| Residence | Spring Green, Wisconsin |
| Education | University of Wisconsin, Whitewater (BBA) |
| Occupation | Farmer |
| Website | Official website |
Early life and education
editHoward Marklein was born in Madison, Wisconsin, and raised on a dairy farm in rural Spring Green, where he continues to reside.[1] He graduated from River Valley High School in 1972 and went on to earn a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in accounting at the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater in 1976.[2]
After college, Howard worked for First Wisconsin National Bank of Milwaukee (now U.S. Bancorp). He was recruited by Virchow, Krause, & Company, LLP (now Baker Tilly US, LLP) to work in their Dodgeville office. In 1979, he obtained his Certified Public Accountant (CPA) certification. Shortly after earning his CPA, Howard was promoted and transferred to the Whitewater and Fort Atkinson offices of Virchow, Krause, & Company, LLP. In 1984, he was promoted to Partner in the firm. Later, his practice was focused on forensic accounting and white collar crime investigations, for which he also became a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE). He is now retired from this career.[2]
Political career
editHoward was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2010, representing the 51st Assembly district, and was re-elected in 2012.
On April 7, 2013, Marklein announced that he would launch a primary challenge against incumbent state senator Dale Schultz.[3] Schultz, a moderate Republican who sometimes crossed over and voted with Democrats, chose not to run for re-election after Marklein jumped out to an early lead in fundraising.[4] With Schultz out of the race, Marklein won the nomination without opposition and went on to defeat Democrat Pat Bomhack in the general election.[5][6]
He was elected by the Republican caucus as president pro tempore of the Senate for the 2017 and 2019 sessions. In 2021, he became the Senate co-chair of the Joint Finance Committee—the Wisconsin Legislature's powerful budget-writing committee.[7] He retained that chairmanship in the 2023–2024 session.[8]
Personal life and family
editHoward Marklein married Peggy McNeil, a registered nurse. They have two adult children, three stepchildren, and six grandchildren.[1]
Electoral history
editWisconsin Assembly (2010, 2012)
edit| Year | Election | Date | Elected | Defeated | Total | Plurality | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | General[9] | Nov. 2 | Howard Marklein | Republican | 10,822 | 52.13% | John Simonson | Dem. | 9,931 | 47.84% | 20,759 | 891 |
| 2012 | General[10] | Nov. 2 | Howard Marklein (inc) | Republican | 14,279 | 51.85% | Maureen May-Grimm | Dem. | 13,238 | 48.07% | 27,539 | 1,041 |
Wisconsin Senate (2014, 2018, 2022)
edit| Year | Election | Date | Elected | Defeated | Total | Plurality | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | General[5] | Nov. 4 | Howard Marklein | Republican | 34,601 | 55.07% | Pat Bomhack | Dem. | 28,179 | 44.85% | 62,836 | 6,422 |
| 2018 | General[11] | Nov. 6 | Howard Marklein (inc) | Republican | 37,465 | 54.10% | Kriss Marion | Dem. | 31,757 | 45.86% | 69,248 | 5,708 |
| 2022 | General[12] | Nov. 8 | Howard Marklein (inc) | Republican | 44,405 | 60.15% | Pat Skogen | Dem. | 29,398 | 39.82% | 73,825 | 15,007 |
References
edit- ^ a b "Senator Howard Marklein". Howard Marklein - Wisconsin State Senator, District 17. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
- ^ a b "Senator Howard L. Marklein". Wisconsin Legislature. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
- ^ Hall, Dee J. "Rep. Howard Marklein to challenge Sen. Dale Schultz". La Crosse Tribune. Wisconsin State Journal.
- ^ Luthern, Ashley; Stein, Jason (January 27, 2014). "Republican Dale Schultz won't seek re-election in Wisconsin Senate". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
- ^ a b Canvass Results for 2014 General Election - 11/4/2014 (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Government Accountability Board. November 26, 2014. p. 7. Retrieved May 16, 2023 – via Wisconsin Elections Commission.
- ^ Republicans Fend Off Democratic Attempt at Control, Keep Majority in Wisconsin State Senate, Minneapolis Star Tribune, Todd Richmond, November 5, 2014
- ^ "2021 Joint Committee on Finance". Wisconsin Legislature. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
- ^ "2023 Joint Committee on Finance". Wisconsin Legislature. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
- ^ Canvass Results for 2010 General Election post-Recount- 11/2/2010 (Report). Wisconsin Government Accountability Board. December 7, 2010. p. 22. Retrieved May 16, 2023 – via Wisconsin Historical Society.
- ^ Canvass Results for 2012 Presidential and General Election - 11/6/2012 (Report). Wisconsin Government Accountability Board. December 26, 2012. p. 22. Retrieved May 16, 2023 – via Wisconsin Elections Commission.
- ^ Canvass Results for 2018 General Election - 11/6/2018 (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Elections Commission. February 22, 2019. pp. 7–8. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
- ^ Canvass Results for 2022 General Election - 11/8/2022 (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Elections Commission. November 30, 2022. p. 8. Retrieved May 16, 2023.