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Wisconsin Treasurer

From Ballotpedia
Wisconsin Treasurer

WI Treasurer logo 2.jpg

General information
Office Type:  Partisan
Office website:  Official Link
Compensation:  $72,551
2025 FY Budget:  $1,523,584,500
Term limits:  None
Structure
Length of term:   4 years
Authority:  Wisconsin State Code, Chapter 14.56
Selection Method:  Elected
Current Officeholder(s)

Wisconsin Treasurer John Leiber
Republican Party
Assumed office: January 2, 2023

Elections
Next election:  2026
Last election:  2022
Other Wisconsin Executive Offices
GovernorLieutenant GovernorSecretary of StateAttorney GeneralTreasurerAuditorSuperintendent of EducationAgriculture CommissionerInsurance CommissionerNatural Resources CommissionerLabor CommissionerPublic Service Commission


TheWisconsin Treasurer is an elected executive position in theWisconsin state government. Thetreasurer is responsible for sitting on the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands, providing services to promote the unclaimed property program, and making certified copies of deeds, bonds, and documents filed in the treasurer's office.[1][2][3]

Since 1995, the duties of the state treasurer have gradually been eliminated or shifted to other state agencies. In order to amend theWisconsin Constitution to eliminate the state treasurer's office, thestate legislature must first approve an amendment in two successive legislative sessions. Following approval by thestate legislature, voters must then approve the amendment through a legislatively referred constitutional amendment.[4]

On October 27, 2015, theWisconsin State Assembly approved an amendment to remove the state treasurer's office, Assembly Joint Resolution 5 (AJR 5), with 63 "yea" votes and 33 "nay" votes. TheWisconsin State Senate approved AJR 5 on January 20, 2016. The first approval of the amendment was enrolled on March 15, 2016.[5]

The amendment was introduced in the 2017 legislative session as Assembly Joint Resolution 2 and Senate Joint Resolution 3 (SJR 3). SJR 3 was approved by both chambers of theWisconsin State Legislature, meaning theWisconsin Elimination of State Treasurer Amendment appeared before voters on April 3, 2018.[4][6][7] Voters rejected the amendment, voting to keep the position of state treasurer.

Current officeholder

The current Wisconsin Treasurer isJohn Leiber (R). Leiber assumed office in 2023.

Authority

The treasurer's office is authorized by Chapter 14.56 of the Wisconsin state code.[2]

Chapter 14.56:

Office of state treasurer; creation. There is created an office of the state treasurer under the direction and supervision of the state treasurer.

Qualifications

Note:Ballotpedia's state executive officials project researches the constitutional or statutory text that establishes the requirements necessary to qualify for a state executive office. That information for the Wisconsin Treasurer has not yet been added. After extensive research, we were unable to identify any relevant information on state official websites. If you have any additional information about this office for inclusion on this section and/or page, pleaseemail us.

Vacancies

Chapter 17.19(4) of the Wisconsin state code addresses vacancies in the office of treasurer. In the event of a vacancy for any reason, the governor shall appoint a successor to serve until a special election can be held. If no such election is held, the appointee holds office for the remainder of the unexpired term.[8]

Duties

The Wisconsin Treasurer is responsible for sitting on the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands, providing services to promote the unclaimed property program, and making certified copies of deeds, bonds, and documents filed in the treasurer's office.[2]

The specific duties of the treasurer are outlined in Chapter 14.58 of the Wisconsin state code.[2]

Chapter 14.58 - Duties. The state treasurer shall:

(1).Sign checks, share drafts, and other drafts. Sign checks, share drafts, and other drafts on depositories in which moneys may be deposited in one of the following methods:

(a) By the state treasurer personally.
(c) In the name of the state treasurer, by any clerk in the treasurer's office designated by the treasurer.
(d) By placing on a check, share draft or other draft the facsimile signature of the state treasurer adopted by him or her as a facsimile signature. Any depository shall be fully warranted and protected in making payment on any check, share draft or other draft bearing such facsimile notwithstanding that the facsimile may have been placed on the check, share draft or other draft without the state treasurer's authority.

(4).Unclaimed property program. Provide services related to the promotion of the unclaimed property program under ch. 177 in consultation with the secretary of revenue.

(7).Permit examination of books. Permit at all times inspection and examination of the books, papers and transactions of the treasurer's office by the governor, secretary of state, attorney general, department of administration or state auditor, or by the legislature, any committee thereof or either house thereof.

(11).Make certified copies. Make a certified copy of any deed, bond, document or paper filed in the treasurer's office, and transcripts from the books and records kept therein, when required by any person so to do; and collect therefore 25 cents per folio, and $1 for such certificate.

(14).Other duties. Perform all other duties imposed upon the state treasurer by law.[9]

TheWisconsin Constitution also requires the treasurer to serve on the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands, which is responsible for generating investment income for public school libraries, making loans to municipalities and school districts, managing state trust lands for timber management, and archiving land records.[10]

The constitutional duties of the treasurer are outlined inSection 3 of Article VI andSection 7 of Article X of theWisconsin Constitution.[3]

Article VI. Section 3. The powers, duties, and compensation of the treasurer and attorney general shall be prescribed by law.

Article X. Section 7. The secretary of state, treasurer and attorney general, shall constitute a board of commissioners for the sale of the school and university lands and for the investment of the funds arising therefrom. Any two of said commissioners shall be a quorum for the transaction of all business pertaining to the duties of their office.[9]

Elections

According toArticle 6 of thestate Constitution, the treasurer is elected every four years, in mid-term election years, to a four-year term. In Wisconsin, the treasurer is elected in 2010, 2014, and 2018.

Election results

See also: Wisconsin Treasurer election, 2030


There are noofficial candidates yet for this election.


See also: Wisconsin Treasurer election, 2026

General election

The primary will occur on August 11, 2026. The general election will occur on November 3, 2026. General election candidates will be added here following the primary.

Republican primary

Republican primary for Wisconsin Treasurer

IncumbentJohn Leiber (R) andOrlando Owens (R) are running in the Republican primary for Wisconsin Treasurer on August 11, 2026.


Ballotpedia Logo

Incumbents arebolded and underlined.

Candidate Connection = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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See also: Wisconsin Treasurer election, 2022

General election

General election for Wisconsin Treasurer

John Leiber (R) defeatedAaron Richardson (D) andAndrew Zuelke (Constitution Party) in the general election for Wisconsin Treasurer on November 8, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of John Leiber
John Leiber (R) Candidate Connection
 
49.6
 
1,293,553
Image of Aaron Richardson
Aaron Richardson (D) Candidate Connection
 
48.1
 
1,254,949
Image of Andrew Zuelke
Andrew Zuelke (Constitution Party)
 
2.2
 
57,333
  Other/Write-in votes
 
0.0%
 
1,268

Ballotpedia Logo

There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 2,607,103
Candidate Connection = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary

Democratic primary for Wisconsin Treasurer

Aaron Richardson (D) defeatedGillian Battino (D) andAngelito Tenorio (D) in the Democratic primary for Wisconsin Treasurer on August 9, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Aaron Richardson
Aaron Richardson Candidate Connection
 
38.4
 
168,905
Image of Gillian Battino
Gillian Battino Candidate Connection
 
36.4
 
159,902
Image of Angelito Tenorio
Angelito Tenorio Candidate Connection
 
25.2
 
111,012

Ballotpedia Logo

There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 439,819
Candidate Connection = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Republican primary

Republican primary for Wisconsin Treasurer

John Leiber (R) defeatedOrlando Owens (R) in the Republican primary for Wisconsin Treasurer on August 9, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of John Leiber
John Leiber Candidate Connection
 
65.8
 
357,384
Image of Orlando Owens
Orlando Owens
 
34.2
 
186,084

Ballotpedia Logo

There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 543,468
Candidate Connection = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team.

Constitution Party primary

Constitution primary for Wisconsin Treasurer

Andrew Zuelke (Constitution Party) advanced from the Constitution Party primary for Wisconsin Treasurer on August 9, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Andrew Zuelke
Andrew Zuelke
 
92.4
 
230
  Other/Write-in votes
 
7.6%
 
19

Ballotpedia Logo

There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 249
Candidate Connection = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team.

See also: Wisconsin Treasurer election, 2018

General election

General election for Wisconsin Treasurer

Sarah Godlewski (D) defeatedTravis Hartwig (R) andAndrew Zuelke (Constitution Party) in the general election for Wisconsin Treasurer on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Sarah Godlewski
Sarah Godlewski (D)
 
50.9
 
1,324,110
Travis Hartwig (R)
 
46.8
 
1,216,811
Image of Andrew Zuelke
Andrew Zuelke (Constitution Party)
 
2.3
 
59,570
  Other/Write-in votes
 
0.1%
 
1,471

Ballotpedia Logo

There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 2,601,9620
Candidate Connection = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary

Democratic primary for Wisconsin Treasurer

Sarah Godlewski (D) defeatedDawn Marie Sass (D) andCynthia Kaump (D) in the Democratic primary for Wisconsin Treasurer on August 14, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Sarah Godlewski
Sarah Godlewski
 
43.5
 
201,031
Dawn Marie Sass
 
32.1
 
148,362
Image of Cynthia Kaump
Cynthia Kaump
 
24.3
 
112,255

Ballotpedia Logo

There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 461,6480
Candidate Connection = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Republican primary

Republican primary for Wisconsin Treasurer

Travis Hartwig (R) defeatedJill Millies (R) in the Republican primary for Wisconsin Treasurer on August 14, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Travis Hartwig
 
72.3
 
261,139
Image of Jill Millies
Jill Millies
 
27.7
 
100,153

Ballotpedia Logo

There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 361,2920
Candidate Connection = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Constitution Party primary

Constitution primary for Wisconsin Treasurer

Andrew Zuelke (Constitution Party) advanced from the Constitution Party primary for Wisconsin Treasurer on August 14, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Andrew Zuelke
Andrew Zuelke
 
100.0
 
350

Ballotpedia Logo

There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 350
Candidate Connection = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team.

Previous election results


Divisions

Note:Ballotpedia's state executive officials project researches state official websites for information that describes the divisions (if any exist) of a state executive office. That information for the Wisconsin Treasurer has not yet been added. After extensive research we were unable to identify any relevant information on state official websites. If you have any additional information about this office for inclusion on this section and/or page, pleaseemail us.

State budget

See also:Wisconsin state budget and finances

The budget for the state treasurer in fiscal year 2025 was $1,523,584,500.[11]

Compensation

See also:Compensation of state executive officers

2023

In 2023, the officer's salary was $72,551, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[12]

2022

In 2022, the officer's salary was $72,551, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[13]

2021

In 2021, the treasurer received a salary of $72,551, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[14]

2020

In 2020, the treasurer received a salary of $72,551, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[15]

2019

In 2019, the treasurer received a salary of $72,551, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[16]

2018

In 2018, the treasurer received a salary of $69,936, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[17]

2017

In 2017, the treasurer received a salary of $69,936, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[18]

2016

In 2016, the treasurer received a salary of $69,936, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[19]

2015

In 2015, the treasurer received a salary of $69,936, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[20]

2014

In 2014, the treasurer received a salary of$68,566, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[21]

2013

In 2013, the treasurer received a salary of$68,566, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[22]

2012

In 2012, the treasurer received a salary of$68,566, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[23]

Historical officeholders

There have been 36 Wisconsin Treasurers since 1848. Of the 36 officeholders, 24 were Republican, 10 were Democrat, one was Progressive, and one was appointed from the staff.[24]

List of officeholders from 1848-present
#NameTenureParty
1Jarius C. Fairchild1848-1852Electiondot.pngDemocratic
2Edward H. Janssen1852-1856Electiondot.pngDemocratic
3Charles Kuehn1856-1858Electiondot.pngDemocratic
4Samuel D. Hastings1858-1866Ends.pngRepublican
5William E. Smith1866-1870Ends.pngRepublican
6Henry Baetz1870-1874Ends.pngRepublican
7Ferdinand Kuehn1874-1878Electiondot.pngDemocratic
8Richard Guenther1878-1882Ends.pngRepublican
9Edward C. McFetridge1882-1887Ends.pngRepublican
10Henry B. Harshaw1887-1891Ends.pngRepublican
11John Hunner1891-1895Electiondot.pngDemocratic
12Sewell A. Peterson1895-1899Ends.pngRepublican
13James O. Davidson1899-1903Ends.pngRepublican
14John J. Kempf1903-1904Ends.pngRepublican
15Thomas M. Purtell1904-1905Ends.pngRepublican
16John J. Kempf1905-1907Ends.pngRepublican
17Andrew H. Dahl1907-1913Ends.pngRepublican
18Henry Johnson1913-1923Ends.pngRepublican
19Solomon Levitan1923-1933Ends.pngRepublican
20Robert K. Henry1933-1937Electiondot.pngDemocratic
21Solomon Levitan1937-1939Progressive
22John M. Smith1939-1947Ends.pngRepublican
23John L. Sonderegger1947-1948Ends.pngRepublican
24Clyde M. Johnston1948-1949appointed from staff
25Warren R. Smith1949-1957Ends.pngRepublican
26Dena A. Smith1957-1959Ends.pngRepublican
27Eugene M. Lamb1959-1961Electiondot.pngDemocratic
28Dena A. Smith1961-1968Ends.pngRepublican
29Harold W. Clemens1968-1971Ends.pngRepublican
30Charles P. Smith1971-1991Electiondot.pngDemocratic
31Cathy S. Zeuske1991-1995Ends.pngRepublican
32Jack C. Voight1995-2007Ends.pngRepublican
33Dawn Marie Sass2007-2011Electiondot.pngDemocratic
34Kurt Schuller2011-2015Ends.pngRepublican
35Matt Adamczyk2015-2019Ends.pngRepublican
36Sarah Godlewski2019-2023Electiondot.pngDemocratic
37John Leiber2023-PresentEnds.pngRepublican

State profile

Demographic data for Wisconsin
 WisconsinU.S.
Total population:5,767,891316,515,021
Land area (sq mi):54,1583,531,905
Race and ethnicity**
White:86.5%73.6%
Black/African American:6.3%12.6%
Asian:2.5%5.1%
Native American:0.9%0.8%
Pacific Islander:0%0.2%
Two or more:2.1%3%
Hispanic/Latino:6.3%17.1%
Education
High school graduation rate:91%86.7%
College graduation rate:27.8%29.8%
Income
Median household income:$53,357$53,889
Persons below poverty level:15%11.3%
Source:U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2010-2015)
Clickhere for more information on the 2020 census andhere for more on its impact on the redistricting process in Wisconsin.
**Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the censushere.

Presidential voting pattern

See also:Presidential voting trends in Wisconsin

Wisconsinvoted for the Democratic candidate in five out of the seven presidential elections between 2000 and 2024.

Pivot Counties (2016)

Ballotpedia identified 206 counties that voted forDonald Trump (R) in 2016 after voting forBarack Obama (D) in 2008 and 2012. Collectively, Trump won thesePivot Counties by more than 580,000 votes. Of these 206 counties, 23 are located in Wisconsin, accounting for 11.17 percent of the total pivot counties.[25]

Pivot Counties (2020)

In2020, Ballotpedia re-examined the 206 Pivot Counties to view their voting patterns following that year's presidential election. Ballotpedia defined those won by Trump won asRetained Pivot Counties and those won byJoe Biden (D) asBoomerang Pivot Counties. Nationwide, there were 181 Retained Pivot Counties and 25 Boomerang Pivot Counties. Wisconsin had 21 Retained Pivot Counties and two Boomerang Pivot Counties, accounting for 11.60 and 8.00 percent of all Retained and Boomerang Pivot Counties, respectively.

More Wisconsin coverage on Ballotpedia

Recent news

The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the termsWisconsin State Treasurer. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.

Contact information

Wisconsin

Wisconsin Office of the Treasurer
P.O. Box 7871
Madison, WI 53701

Phone: 608-266-1714
E-mail: [mailto: Treasurer@wisconsin.gov Treasurer@wisconsin.gov]

See also

WisconsinState Executive ElectionsNews and Analysis
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Wisconsin State Executive Offices
Wisconsin State Legislature
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State of the state addresses
Partisan composition of governors

External links

Footnotes

  1. Wisconsin Office of the State Treasurer, "Our Mission," accessed January 28, 2021
  2. 2.02.12.22.3Wisconsin state code, "Chapter 14: Constitutional Offices and Interstate Bodies," accessed January 28, 2021
  3. 3.03.1Wisconsin Legislature, "Wisconsin Constitution," accessed January 28, 2021
  4. 4.04.1Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau, "2015 Enrolled Joint Resolution 7: Constitutional Amendment Approved on First Consideration to Eliminate the Office of the State Treasurer," June 2016
  5. Wisconsin State Legislature, "AJR 5 History," accessed January 28, 2021
  6. Wisconsin Legislature, "Assembly Joint Resolution 2," accessed January 28, 2021
  7. Wisconsin Legislature, "Senate Joint Resolution 3," accessed January 28, 2021
  8. Wisconsin state code, "Chapter 17: Resignations, vacancies, and removals from office (page 7)," accessed January 28, 2021
  9. 9.09.1Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
  10. Wisconsin Board of Commissioners of Public Lands, "Homepage," accessed January 28, 2021
  11. Wisconsin Legislature, "2023 Wisconsin Act 19, accessed December 6, 2023
  12. Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2023 Table 4.11: Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed January 21, 2025
  13. Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2022 Table 4.11: Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," provided to Ballotpedia by CSG personnel
  14. Issuu, "The Book of the States 2021," accessed September 28, 2022
  15. Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2020," accessed January 28, 2021
  16. Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2019," accessed January 28, 2021
  17. Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2018," accessed January 28, 2021
  18. Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2017," accessed January 28, 2021
  19. Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2016," accessed January 28, 2021
  20. Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2015," accessed January 28, 2021
  21. Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed January 28, 2021
  22. Council of State Governments, "Table 4.11 Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed January 28, 2021
  23. Council of State Governments, "Table 4.11 Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed January 28, 2021
  24. Wisconsin Blue Book 2007-2008, "Statistical Information on Wisconsin: History," accessed January 28, 2021
  25. The raw data for this study was provided by Dave Leip ofAtlas of U.S. Presidential Elections.
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