John T. Dickert (born December 6, 1962) is an American Democratic politician and was the 57th mayor of Racine, Wisconsin. He subsequently served as administrator of the Division of State and Local Finance in the Wisconsin Department of Revenue, appointed by Governor Tony Evers in May 2019.[1]

John T. Dickert
Dickert in 2014
57th Mayor of Racine, Wisconsin
In office
May 19, 2009 (2009-05-19) – July 16, 2017 (2017-07-16)
Preceded byTom Friedel (interim)
Gary Becker (elected)
Succeeded byDennis Wiser (acting)
Cory Mason (elected)
Personal details
Born (1962-12-06) December 6, 1962 (age 61)
Racine, Wisconsin, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseTeresa Murphy
Children2
Alma materUniversity of Wisconsin–La Crosse
WebsiteOfficial Website

He was elected mayor in a 2009 special election and was re-elected twice, in 2011 and 2015. He resigned as mayor in 2017 to work as executive director of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative.[2]

Early life

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Dickert's familial roots extend three generations in Racine. In 1880, his great-great grandfather arrived and started a family and small plumbing business, Dickert Brothers Plumbing Company. That business lasted more than a century.[3] John Dickert was born December 6, 1962. He attended St. Catherine's High School and received his bachelor's degree in political science and mass communication from the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse.[4] While in college, he was elected to the La Crosse County Board of Supervisors. Dickert then worked as an intern for Congressman Les Aspin in Washington D.C. Dickert returned to Racine to serve as Congressional District Director for State Assemblyman Peter Barca. Dickert ran twice in Democratic primary elections for Wisconsin State Assembly in the 61st district against Robert Turner, but was defeated both times. Dickert became a real estate agent for Coldwell Banker in 2003 and First Weber in 2007, then ran for mayor of Racine in 2009.[4]

Mayoralty

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Dickert and other mayors meet with President Obama in the East Room of the White House
 
Dickert in 2015

John Dickert served as mayor from May 2009 through July 2017. He was first elected to finish the term of Gary E. Becker, who had resigned in January after being charged with six felonies.[5] He was elected on May 5, 2009, and was inaugurated on May 19,[6] taking over from acting Mayor Tom Friedel. After winning regular elections in August 2011 and again in August 2015, Dickert ultimately served one full term and two partial terms.[7]

While mayor, Dickert served as president of the Urban Alliance, a group of mayors from Wisconsin’s largest metro regions, from its creation in 2011 until he was succeeded by Manitowoc mayor Justin Nickels in 2014.[8][9] Dickert also served on the United States Conference of Mayors, primarily as Vice Chair of the Metro Economies Committee,[10] as well as on its Mayors Water Council.[11] Additionally, he was a member of Governor Scott Walker’s Wisconsin Coastal Management Council.[12]

On March 27, 2017, Dickert announced his plans to resign from the mayoralty to take the position of executive director at the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative, a binational group of U.S. and Canadian "mayors and local officials working to advance the protection and restoration of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River."[13] Dickert had previously served on the organization's board of directors, and was the chairman of the board between 2014 and 2015.[14]

Dickert formally resigned on July 16, 2017, and Dennis Wiser, previously president of the Racine City Council, automatically became acting mayor. Democrat Cory Mason was elected Mayor of Racine, Wisconsin on November 7, 2017 after winning the special election.[2]

Department of Revenue

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In May 2019, Dickert was tapped by newly-inaugurated Governor Tony Evers and newly-appointed Secretary of Revenue Peter W. Barca to serve as administrator for the Division of State and Local Finance in the Wisconsin Department of Revenue. The Division of State and Local Finance is responsible for administering the state's property tax valuation and assessment program, with emphasis on properly valuing commercial, manufacturing, and other special properties. On his appointment, Secretary Barca said: "John's background as the former three-term mayor of the City of Racine along with his experience in residential and commercial real estate provides him with a unique perspective for this position. His keen understanding of local government and the issues facing local government officials will help us to better serve their needs and, more importantly, their citizens."[15]

Personal life

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Dickert lives in Racine with his wife and two children Riley and Eleanor.[16]

Electoral history

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Wisconsin Assembly (1990, 2002)

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Wisconsin Assembly 61st District Election, 1990[17]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Primary Election
Democratic Robert L. Turner 2,056 46.14%
Democratic John Dickert 1,193 26.77%
Republican Roderick D. Wilhelmi 722 16.20%
Democratic Cathleen A. Cotter 485 10.88%
Total votes 4,456 100.0%
General Election
Democratic Robert L. Turner 7,232 62.09%
Republican Roderick D. Wilhelmi 4,415 37.91%
Total votes 11,647 100.0%
Democratic hold
Wisconsin Assembly 61st District Election, 2002[18]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Primary Election
Democratic Robert L. Turner (incumbent) 3,194 52.25%
Democratic John Dickert 2,919 47.75%
Total votes 6,113 100.0%
General Election
Democratic Robert L. Turner (incumbent) 9,525 98.15% −1.41%
Write-ins 180 1.85% +1.41%
Total votes 9,705 100.0% -29.48%
Democratic hold

Racine Mayor (2009–2015)

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Racine Mayoral Special Election, 2009[19]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Primary Election, April 7, 2009
Democratic John Dickert 2,307 23.09%
Democratic Robert L. Turner 1,671 16.73%
Democratic Kimberly Plache 1,313 13.14%
Independent James Spangenberg 1,249 12.50%
Independent Greg Helding 1,150 11.51%
Independent Pete Karas 851 8.52%
Independent Jody Harding 658 6.59%
Independent Q.A. Shakoor II 414 4.14%
Independent Lesia Hill-Driver 161 1.61%
Independent Raymond Fay 148 1.48%
Independent Jaimie Charon 69 0.69%
Total votes 9,991 100.0%
Special Election, May 5, 2009
Democratic John Dickert 6,027 55.46%
Democratic Robert L. Turner 4,841 44.54%
Plurality 1,186 10.91%
Total votes 10,868 100.0%
Democratic hold
Racine Mayoral Election, 2011[20]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
General Election, April 5, 2011
Democratic John Dickert (incumbent) 11,379 72.87% +17.41%
Independent Eric Marcus 4,237 27.13%
Plurality 7,142 45.74% +34.83%
Total votes 15,616 100.0% +43.69%
Democratic hold
Racine Mayoral Election, 2015[21]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
General Election, April 7, 2015
Democratic John Dickert (incumbent) 5,392 54.26% −18.61%
Independent Melvin Hargrove 4,546 45.74%
Plurality 846 8.51% -37.23%
Total votes 9,938 100.0% -36.36%
Democratic hold

References

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  1. ^ Torres, Ricardo (May 15, 2019). "Dickert tapped to serve with the state Department of Revenue". Racine Journal Times. Retrieved May 16, 2020.
  2. ^ a b Leary, Patrick (July 19, 2017). "Wiser appointed mayor; Election tentatively set for Oct. 17". Racine Journal Times.
  3. ^ "John Dickert for Mayor". Archived from the original on 2016-01-16.
  4. ^ a b "Mayoral Candidate Profile: John Dickert". Racine Journal Times. April 7, 2009.
  5. ^ "Mayor Gary Becker of Racine, Wisconsin resigns after sex-sting arrest". Associated Press. January 20, 2009.
  6. ^ Pete (May 19, 2009). "John Dickert takes over as Racine's mayor". Racine Post.
  7. ^ Spoto, Cara (April 7, 2015). "Dickert holds off challenge in mayor race". Racine Journal Times.
  8. ^ "Manitowoc Mayor Justin Nickels New Urban Alliance President", League of Wisconsin Municipalities, September 30, 2014.
  9. ^ "Mayor named new alliance president", Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter, September 30, 2014.
  10. ^ "Mayor Dickert Receives National Appointment", Racine, Wisconsin's Randum Creative Events, November 3, 2010.
  11. ^ "John Dickert: Mayor; Racine, WI", The NewDEAL.
  12. ^ "Action Plan". johndickert.com. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04.
  13. ^ "About The Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative", Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative.
  14. ^ "Racine Mayor John Dickert to resign for job with Great Lakes cities", Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, March 27, 2017.
  15. ^ "John Dickert Appointed State and Local Finance Division Administrator" (PDF). Wisconsin Department of Revenue (Press release). May 15, 2019. Retrieved May 16, 2020.
  16. ^ Leary, Patrick (2017-03-28). "Mayor Dickert to step down; taking role with water advocacy group". Racine Journal Times. Retrieved 2019-03-09.
  17. ^ Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. "Elections in Wisconsin". State of Wisconsin 1991-1992 Blue Book (Report). State of Wisconsin. pp. 900, 916. Retrieved 2019-03-05.
  18. ^ Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. "Elections in Wisconsin". State of Wisconsin 2003-2004 Blue Book (Report). State of Wisconsin. pp. 920, 923. Retrieved 2019-03-05.
  19. ^ Brien, Stephanie (2009-04-07). "Dickert or Turner to be Racine's next mayor". Racine Journal Times. Retrieved 2019-03-09.
  20. ^ Won, Christine (2011-04-05). "Dickert defeats Marcus, will continue as mayor". Racine Journal Times. Retrieved 2019-03-09.
  21. ^ Spoto, Cara (2015-04-07). "Dickert holds off challenge in mayor race". Racine Journal Times. Retrieved 2019-03-09.
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Political offices
Preceded by
Tom Friedel (interim)
Gary Becker (elected)
Mayor of Racine, Wisconsin
2009 – 2017
Succeeded by
Dennis Wiser (acting)
Cory Mason (elected)