Gary Tauchen (born November 23, 1953) is an American dairy farmer and

Republican Republican can refer to: Political ideology * An advocate of a republic, a type of government that is not a monarchy or dictatorship, and is usually associated with the rule of law. ** Republicanism, the ideology in support of republics or agains ...

politician. He was a member of the

Wisconsin State Assembly The Wisconsin State Assembly is the lower house of the Wisconsin Legislature. Together with the smaller Wisconsin Senate, the two constitute the legislative branch of the U.S. state of Wisconsin. Representatives are elected for two-year terms, ...

, representing the 6th Assembly district from 2007 through 2022. The 6th district comprised most of Shawano County along with northwestern Outagamie County and neighboring towns in eastern Waupaca County.

Early life and career

Born in

Rice Lake, Wisconsin Rice Lake is a city in Barron County, Wisconsin, United States. As of the 2020 census, the city had a total population of 9,040. The city is located mostly within the Town of Rice Lake. History Rice Lake was named in 1870 after nearby Rice Lak ...

, Tauchen graduated from Bonduel High School in 1971. He briefly attended the

University of Wisconsin–Madison A university () is an institution of higher (or tertiary) education and research which awards academic degrees in several academic disciplines. Universities typically offer both undergraduate and postgraduate programs. In the United Stat ...

and received his

bachelor's degree A bachelor's degree (from Middle Latin ''baccalaureus'') or baccalaureate (from Modern Latin ''baccalaureatus'') is an undergraduate academic degree awarded by colleges and universities upon completion of a course of study lasting three to six ...

animal science Animal science is described as "studying the biology of animals that are under the control of humankind". It can also be described as the production and management of farm animals. Historically, the degree was called animal husbandry and the ...

from the

University of Wisconsin–River Falls The University of Wisconsin–River Falls (UW–River Falls or UWRF) is a public university in River Falls, Wisconsin. It is part of the University of Wisconsin System. The campus is situated on the Kinnickinnic River in the St. Croix River ...

. In 1976, in partnership with his father, Herb, and brother, Alan, Tauchen started Tauchen's Harmony Valley Farm, which he still co-owns and operates with his parents and his two surviving brothers. Today, the farm has around 1200 milking cows and raises crops on nearly 2500 acres. Through his farm business, Tauchen became involved in a number of farm and conservation councils in Wisconsin. He was chairman of the Shawano Farm Bureau and the Wisconsin Dairy Herd Improvement Cooperative, and chaired Governor

Tommy Thompson Tommy George Thompson (born November 19, 1941) is an American Republican politician who most recently served as interim president of the University of Wisconsin System from 2020 to 2022. A member of the Republican Party, he previously served a ...

's Dairy 20/20 Council.

Political career

In April 2006, State Representative

John Ainsworth John Ainsworth may refer to: *John Ainsworth (by 1523-58/59), MP for Worcester *John Ainsworth (Wisconsin politician) (born 1940), American politician *Sir John Ainsworth, 1st Baronet (1844–1923), English industrialist, banker and Liberal politic ...

announced he would not seek reelection to another term. A few weeks later, in an event at his family farm, Tauchen announced he would be a candidate for

in the seat vacated by Ainsworth. Ultimately, four other candidates also joined the Republican primary in the heavily Republican district, though one candidate, Paul Mogged, would drop out before the primary to endorse Tauchen. Tauchen was also endorsed by the Wisconsin Farm Bureau—a lobbying organization for farming interests. Tauchen prevailed in the primary, receiving a majority of the votes in the four-way contest. In the general election, Tauchen defeated Democrat Richard Lieffring, a teacher from

Cecil, Wisconsin Cecil is a village in Shawano County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 570 at the 2010 census. History The village was named after a railroad man, Cecil Leavitt when the railroad was finished in 1884. Geography Cecil is located at ...

, taking 60% of the vote. Tauchen has subsequently been reelected seven times. Tauchen currently serves as chairman of the Assembly Committee on Agriculture and also serves on the Assembly committees on Energy and Utilities, on State Affairs, and on Tourism. On January 21, 2021, he announced that he would not seek re-election.

Electoral history

Wisconsin Assembly (2006–2020)

References

External links

* *
Campaign Website (Archived 11/2/2018)

Representative Gary Tauchen
at

Wisconsin Legislature The Wisconsin Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The Legislature is a bicameral body composed of the upper house, Wisconsin State Senate, and the lower Wisconsin State Assembly, both of which have had Republica ...

{{DEFAULTSORT:Tauchen, Gary 1953 births Living people People from Rice Lake, Wisconsin Republican Party members of the Wisconsin State Assembly University of Wisconsin–River Falls alumni 21st-century American politicians