Howard Marklein Explained

Howard Marklein
Office:Senate Co-Chair of the
Term Start:January 4, 2021
Predecessor:Alberta Darling
Office1:President pro tempore of the
Term Start1:January 3, 2017
Term End1:January 4, 2021
Predecessor1:Rick Gudex
Successor1:Patrick Testin
State Senate2:Wisconsin
District2:17th
Term Start2:January 3, 2015
Predecessor2:Dale Schultz
State Assembly3:Wisconsin
District3:51st
Term Start3:January 3, 2011
Term End3:January 3, 2015
Predecessor3:Steve Hilgenberg
Successor3:Todd Novak
Party:Republican
Birth Date:3 October 1954
Birth Place:Madison, Wisconsin, U.S.
Residence:Spring Green, Wisconsin
Spouse:Peggy McNeil
Children:2
Education:University of Wisconsin, Whitewater (BBA)
Occupation:Farmer
Website:Official website

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.

Early life and education

Howard 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

Howard 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]

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.[6] He retained that chairmanship in the 2023 - 2024 session.[7]

Personal life and family

Howard Marklein married Peggy McNeil, a registered nurse. They have two adult children, three stepchildren, and six grandchildren.[1]

Electoral history

Wisconsin Assembly (2010, 2012)

Year ElectionDateElectedDefeatedTotalPlurality
2010General[8] Republican10,82252.13%Dem.9,93147.84%20,759891
2012General[9] Republican14,27951.85%Dem.13,23848.07%27,5391,041

Wisconsin Senate (2014, 2018, 2022)

Year ElectionDateElectedDefeatedTotalPlurality
2014General[10] Republican34,60155.07%Dem.28,17944.85%62,8366,422
2018General[11] Republican37,46554.10%Dem.31,75745.86%69,2485,708
2022General[12] Republican44,40560.15%Dem.29,39839.82%73,82515,007

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Senator Howard Marklein . Howard Marklein - Wisconsin State Senator, District 17 . May 16, 2023 .
  2. Web site: Senator Howard L. Marklein . . May 16, 2023 .
  3. Web site: Rep. Howard Marklein to challenge Sen. Dale Schultz. Dee J.. Hall. Wisconsin State Journal . La Crosse Tribune.
  4. News: Republican Dale Schultz won't seek re-election in Wisconsin Senate . Ashley . Luthern . Jason . Stein . . January 27, 2014 . May 16, 2023 .
  5. Republicans Fend Off Democratic Attempt at Control, Keep Majority in Wisconsin State Senate, Minneapolis Star Tribune, Todd Richmond, November 5, 2014
  6. Web site: 2021 Joint Committee on Finance . . May 16, 2023 .
  7. Web site: 2023 Joint Committee on Finance . . May 16, 2023 .
  8. Canvass Results for 2010 General Election post-Recount- 11/2/2010 . . December 7, 2010 . 22 . May 16, 2023 . .
  9. Canvass Results for 2012 Presidential and General Election - 11/6/2012 . . December 26, 2012 . 22 . May 16, 2023 . .
  10. Canvass Results for 2014 General Election - 11/4/2014 . . November 26, 2014 . 7 . May 16, 2023 . .
  11. Canvass Results for 2018 General Election - 11/6/2018 . . February 22, 2019 . 7–8 . May 16, 2023 .
  12. Canvass Results for 2022 General Election - 11/8/2022 . November 30, 2022 . . 8 . May 16, 2023 .