Joe Leibham | |
|---|---|
_(1).jpg) Leibham in 2009 | |
| Member of theWisconsin Senate from the9th district | |
| In office January 6, 2003 – December 1, 2014 | |
| Preceded by | James Baumgart |
| Succeeded by | Devin LeMahieu |
| Member of theWisconsin State Assembly from the26th district | |
| In office January 4, 1999 – January 6, 2003 | |
| Preceded by | James Baumgart |
| Succeeded by | Terry Van Akkeren |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1969-06-06)June 6, 1969 (age 56) Sheboygan, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Heather (née Hanson); 3 children |
| Residence(s) | Sheboygan, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Profession | Businessman, lobbyist |
Joseph K. Leibham (born June 6, 1969) is anAmerican business executive and lobbyist who served as aRepublican member of theWisconsin Senate, representing the9th District from 2002 to 2014. He previously served in theWisconsin Assembly, representing the 26th district from 1998 to 2002.
In December 2014, he resigned from the Senate, to become chieflobbyist for theMilwaukee-basedlaw firm ofFoley & Lardner.[1]
Leibham is married to Heather (née Hanson); they have two sons and a daughter.[2]
Leibham was born and raised inSheboygan, the fourth oldest of 13 children. He attended Pigeon River Public Elementary School, Trinity Lutheran School andSheboygan Area Lutheran High School. He attended theUniversity of Wisconsin–La Crosse andEaling College (London) before graduating from theUniversity of Wisconsin–Madison in 1991 with aB.A. inPolitical Science andPublic Administration.
He worked in the food service industry as an account executive forSargento Foods and the manager of membership development for theSheboygan County Chamber of Commerce.
From 1993 to 2000, Leibham served on the Sheboygan City Council serving as its president from 1995 to 1996.[3]
Leibham served in theWisconsin State Assembly from 1998 to 2002, representing Sheboygan,Sheboygan Falls,Kohler and surrounding areas.
In 2002, Leibham announced his candidacy for the9th Senate District. He narrowly defeated, by 46 votes,James Baumgart.[4]
His9th Senate District comprises the northern half ofSheboygan and southern half ofManitowoc counties, as well as portions ofCalumet andFond du Lac counties. He served as the Senate President Pro Tempore. He was the assistant minority leader in 2007 and the majority caucus vice chairperson in 2003.[citation needed]
Leibham has called for the repeal of theAffordable Care Act, calling it a "top priority."[5]
In December 2014, he resigned from the Senate, saying he was prohibited by state law from discussing job offers in the private sector while he was a sitting legislator. Two days later, it was announced that Leibham would accept a position as chieflobbyist for theMilwaukee-basedlaw firm ofFoley & Lardner.[6]
In 2014, rather than seek re-election, Leibham ran in the Republicanprimary election for theUnited States House of Representatives;[7][8] he lost toGlenn Grothman.
| Wisconsin State Assembly | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Member of theWisconsin State Assembly from the26th district 1999–2003 | Succeeded by |
| Wisconsin Senate | ||
| Preceded by | Member of theWisconsin Senate from the9th district 2003-2014 | Succeeded by |