American politician (1951–2016)
Kitty Rhoades
In office Governor Scott Walker Preceded by Dennis Smith Succeeded by Linda Seemeyer In office Preceded by Sheila Harsdorf Succeeded by Dean Knudson
Born Kitty Richie
Hudson, Wisconsin , U.S.Died June 18, 2016 (aged 64)Madison, Wisconsin , U.S. Political party Republican Alma mater University of Wisconsin–River Falls (BA )Illinois State University (MEd )
Kitty Rhoades (née Richie ) (April 7, 1951 – June 18, 2016) was an American politician. She served as a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly , where she represented the 30th district, before serving as Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Health Services .
Early life and education
Born in Hudson, Wisconsin , Rhoades received a bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin–River Falls and a master's degree in education from Illinois State University .
Career
Rhoades worked as an educator, small business owner, and consultant. In 1998, she was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly as a Republican .[ 1]
In the 1990s, Rhoades proposed the term Winnesota to describe Wisconsin's St. Croix and Pierce Counties, which border Minnesota and are within the U.S. Census Bureau 's Minneapolis-Saint Paul Metropolitan Area. According to Rhoades, "I still call my area Winnesota. We are in Wisconsin, but it sure is hard to remember it."[ 2]
Rhoades retired from the state Assembly in 2010,[ 3] Scott Walker in 2011 as Deputy Secretary of the Department of Health Services.[ 4] [ 5] [ 6]
Death
Rhoades died on June 18, 2016, in Madison, Wisconsin from pneumonia.[ 7] [ 8]
Electoral history
Year
Election
Date
Elected
Defeated
Total
Plurality
1998
Primary[ 9]
Sep. 8
Kitty Rhoades Republican
2,788
68.25%
Jay Griggs
Rep.
1,297
31.75%
4,085
1,491
General[ 10]
Nov. 3
Kitty Rhoades Republican
9,755
57.29%
James R. Johnson
Dem.
7,272
42.71%
17,027
2,483
2000
General[ 11]
Nov. 7
Kitty Rhoades (inc)Republican
17,303
62.76%
Laurie J. Lundgaard
Dem.
10,247
37.17%
27,568
7,056
2002
General[ 12]
Nov. 5
Kitty Rhoades (inc)Republican
12,563
69.01%
Bob Feickert
Dem.
5,635
30.95%
18,205
6,928
2004
General[ 13]
Nov. 2
Kitty Rhoades (inc)Republican
20,540
61.09%
Tom Parent
Dem.
13,071
38.87%
33,624
7,469
2006
General[ 14]
Nov. 7
Kitty Rhoades (inc)Republican
12,790
57.40%
Dan Gorman
Dem.
9,479
42.54%
22,282
3,311
2008
Primary[ 15]
Sep. 9
Kitty Rhoades (inc)Republican
2,432
86.70%
Bob Hughes
Rep.
372
13.26%
2,805
2,060
General[ 16]
Nov. 4
Kitty Rhoades (inc)Republican
19,729
54.74%
Sarah A. Bruch
Dem.
16,278
45.17%
36,041
3,451
References
^ Wisconsin Blue Book 2007-2008 , Biographical Sketch of Kitty Rhoades, p. 39.^ Bill Glauber (February 18, 2006). "Welcome to Minnesota: Twin Cities workers find comforts of home in St. Croix, Wisconsin's fastest-growing county" . The Milwaukee Journal . Archived from the original on August 14, 2007. Retrieved 2007-10-11 . ^ Rhoades Retires From Wisconsin Assembly Archived 2011-09-28 at the Wayback Machine ^ "Health Services Announces New Leadership Team" . Archived from the original on 2012-02-12. Retrieved 2013-07-10 .^ Andy Rathburn, "Gov. Walker appoints Kitty Rhoades to top Wisconsin health post". St. Paul Pioneer Press . February 22, 2013.
^ "Kitty Rhoades appointed secretary of the Department of Health Services" . RiverTowns . Retrieved 2020-05-16 .^ Wisconsin health services secretary Kitty Rhoades dies at 65 ^ Kitty (Richie) Rhoades-obituary ^ Barish, Lawrence S.; Meloy, Patricia E., eds. (1999). "Elections". District Vote for Representatives to the Assembly - Primary elections, 1997 - 1998-Continued (Report). Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau . p. 880. Retrieved October 7, 2024 . ^ Barish, Lawrence S.; Meloy, Patricia E., eds. (1999). "Elections". District Vote for Representatives to the Assembly - Special and General Elections, 1998 (Report). Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau . p. 882. Retrieved October 7, 2024 . ^ Results of Fall General Election - 11/07/2000 (Report). Wisconsin State Elections Board. May 10, 2001. p. 20. Retrieved October 7, 2024 – via Wisconsin Historical Society .^ Results of Fall General Election - 11/05/2002 (Report). Wisconsin State Elections Board. December 2, 2002. p. 21. Retrieved October 7, 2024 – via Wisconsin Historical Society .^ Results of Fall General Election - 11/02/2004 (Report). Wisconsin State Elections Board. December 1, 2004. p. 20. Retrieved October 7, 2024 – via Wisconsin Historical Society .^ Results of Fall General Election - 11/07/2006 (Report). Wisconsin State Elections Board. December 5, 2006. p. 21. Retrieved October 7, 2024 – via Wisconsin Historical Society .^ Results of Fall Primary Election - 09/09/2008 (Report). Wisconsin State Elections Board. September 29, 2008. p. 40. Retrieved October 7, 2024 – via Wisconsin Historical Society .^ Results of Fall General Election - 11/04/2008 (Report). Wisconsin State Elections Board. December 1, 2008. p. 19. Retrieved May 3, 2024 – via Wisconsin Historical Society .
External links
Follow the Money - Kitty Rhoades
Campaign 2008 campaign contributions at Wisconsin Democracy Campaign
