Roger Breske Explained

Roger Breske
Office:Wisconsin Commissioner of Railroads
Appointer:Jim Doyle
Term Start:May 28, 2008
Term End:March 2011
Predecessor:Rodney W. Kreunen
State1:Wisconsin
State Senate1:Wisconsin
District1:12th
Term Start1:November 28, 1990
Term End1:June 4, 2008
Party:Democratic
Birth Date:8 November 1938
Birth Place:Elderon, Wisconsin, U.S.
Death Place:Weston, Wisconsin, U.S.
Restingplace:Saint Philomenes Cemetery,
Occupation:Tavern owner
Children:4
Allegiance:United States

Roger M. Breske (November 8, 1938April 3, 2012) was an American businessman and Democratic politician from Shawano County, Wisconsin. He was a member of the Wisconsin Senate from 1990 through 2008, representing much of northern Wisconsin. He then served two years as Wisconsin Railroad Commissioner.

Biography

Roger Breske was born November 8, 1938, in Elderon, Wisconsin, in eastern Marathon County. As a child, he attended school in the neighboring community of Wittenberg, Wisconsin, in Shawano County, and graduated from Wittenberg High School.[1] As a young man, he served in the United States Army Reserve. He became the owner of a tavern and restaurant known as "Breske's Bar", which he operated for more than 20 years.[1]

Through his tavern business, he became active in the Tavern League of Wisconsin, one of the most powerful business lobbies in the state. He first became president of the Marathon County Tavern League, and was then elected president of the state organization in 1985.[2]

In 1990, Wisconsin state senator Lloyd H. Kincaid announced he would retire due to poor health before the end of his term, necessitating a special election that fall.[3] Breske entered the race for the Democratic Party nomination, and prevailed in the crowded five-person primary, receiving 39% of the vote.[4] Breske went on to win a close victory over his Republican opponent in the special election, which coincided with the November 6, 1990, general election.[4]

Breske went on to win re-election in 1992, 1996, 2000, and 2004. He was considered a more conservative member of the Democratic caucus, and sometimes frustrated his party leadership. Most notoriously, in 2008 Breske managed to derail a statewide smoking ban which had been a signature issue pushed by Democratic governor Jim Doyle.[5] The following Spring, Doyle appointed Breske to serve as Wisconsin Railroad Commissioner.[6] Breske accepted the appointment and resigned from the Senate in June 2008.[7]

Breske served until the end of his term, which ended on March 1, 2011, and did not seek re-appointment from the new Republican governor Scott Walker.[8]

Breske died less than a year later, suffering a heart attack in his home on April 3, 2012.[9]

Personal life and family

Roger Breske married Karen Woznicki at St. Florian Catholic Church, in Hatley, Wisconsin, on April 25, 1959. They had four children together and were married for 53 years.[10]

Electoral history

Wisconsin Senate (1990 - 2004)

Year ElectionDateElectedDefeatedTotalPlurality
1990PrimaryDemocratic4,90639.20%Dem.4,30934.43%12,515597
Dem.1,74213.92%
Dem.1,0108.07%
Dem.5484.38%
SpecialDemocratic24,35050.93%Rep.23,46249.07%47,812888
1992[11] PrimaryDemocratic11,60170.67%Dem.4,81529.33%16,4166,786
GeneralDemocratic39,28252.34%Rep.35,76547.66%75,0473,517
1996[12] GeneralDemocratic40,22057.41%Rep.29,83842.59%70,05810,382
2000[13] GeneralDemocratic55,69288.34%Lib.7,27811.54%63,04548,414
2004[14] GeneralDemocratic47,28753.47%Rep.41,11946.49%88,4446,168

External links

Notes and References

  1. State of Wisconsin Blue Book 1991 - 1992 . 1991 . Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau . Barish . Lawrence S. . Theobald . H. Rupert . Biographies . 44 . April 10, 2023 .
  2. News: Breske elected Tavern League head . Wausau Daily Herald . December 8, 1985 . 35 . April 10, 2023 . .
  3. News: Elderon resident seeks Kincaid's Senate seat . Wausau Daily Herald . July 25, 1990 . 3 . April 10, 2023 . .
  4. State of Wisconsin Blue Book 1991 - 1992 . 1991 . Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau . Barish . Lawrence S. . Theobald . H. Rupert . Elections in Wisconsin . 895, 912 . April 10, 2023 .
  5. News: Smoking ban deal rejected . . January 31, 2008 . 23 . Scott . Bauer . April 10, 2023 . .
  6. News: Rail commissioner named . . May 20, 2008 . 5 . Todd . Richmond . April 10, 2023 . .
  7. Petitions and Communications . June 4, 2008 . Wednesday, June 4, 2008 . State of Wisconsin Senate Journal . Ninety-Eighth Regular Session . . April 10, 2023 .
  8. News: Walker names new railroad commissioner . . August 24, 2011 . 3 . April 10, 2023 . .
  9. News: Former State Sen. Breske, 73, dies . . April 4, 2012 . 7 . April 10, 2023 . .
  10. News: Roger Breske . Wausau Daily Herald . April 4, 2012 . Legacy.com . April 10, 2023 .
  11. State of Wisconsin Blue Book 1993 - 1994 . 1993 . Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau . Barish . Lawrence S. . Theobald . H. Rupert . Elections in Wisconsin . 900, 919 . April 11, 2023 .
  12. State of Wisconsin Blue Book 1997 - 1998. 1997 . Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau . Barish . Lawrence S. . Elections in Wisconsin . 888 - 889 . April 11, 2023 .
  13. Fall General Election - 11/07/2000 . November 30, 2000 . Wisconsin State Elections Board . 6 . . April 11, 2023 .
  14. Results of Fall General Election - 11/02/2004 . December 1, 2004 . Wisconsin State Elections Board . 8 . . April 11, 2023 .