State Representatives to run for re-election

By Kelsie Hoitomt

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE- Wisconsin Representatives Roger Rivard, Tom Larson and John Murtha are each running for re-election on November 6, 2012.

Rivard Re-election

Roger Rivard is seeking a second term as a representative to the 75th Assembly District after being elected to the Assembly in 2010.

During his first term in office, Rivard authored or co-authored eleven pieces of legislation focused on bringing jobs to northern Wisconsin while protecting the environment and natural resources of the area.

Rivard sits on the Committee on Housing, the Committee on Natural Resources (Vice Chair), the Committee on Rural Economic Development and Rural Affairs and the Special Committee on State-Tribal Relations.

“Wisconsin has come a long way and has achieved fiscal responsibility with state and school budgets. Our efforts to bring jobs to Wisconsin have brought our unemployment rate to 6.7 percent, one of the lowest in the nation,” explained Rivard.

Rivard also explained that the legislature has been attempting to close income disparities by encouraging industries that will bring high-paying jobs to the area while protecting our environment.

Rivard was born in Rice Lake on August 27, 1952. He and his wife, Berni, have six children and ten grandchildren.

Rivard is a 1970 graduate of Rice Lake High School and he also attended the Barron County Campus of Stout State University in Rice Lake, which is now UW-Barron County.

Rivard has lived in the 75th District all of his life.

Rivard is the former owner/operator of Rivards Campers in Rice Lake and Rivards Dairy Drive In in Barron.

He is a member of the Realtors Association of NW Wisconsin (past president), Rice Lake Chamber of Commerce (past president) and the Knights of Columbus (past grand knight).

Rivard is actively involved in the Diocesan Pastoral Council, Diocese of Superior, Pastoral Finance Committee and the Assumption Blessed Virgin Mary Church (chairman).

He is a former member of Troop 28 (scout master), St. Joesph’s School Board, Wisconsin Realtors Association (state director) and the Regional Sales Associate Advisory Panel for Coldwell Banker.

He has been a realtor/developer with Coldwell Banker for over 20 years.

Rivard has shown a lifelong dedication to his community and to creating opportunities for people from all walks of life to realize their economic and real estate dreams.

Rivard thanks the citizens of the 75th Assembly District for the opportunity to serve during the last two years. He would be honored to continue representing your concerns in Madison.

Larson Re-election

Tom Larson, of the 67th Assembly District, which includes the Northern portion of Dunn County and most of Chippewa County, announces his bid for re-election as well.

As the incumbent Representative, Tom believes that they have accomplished much during the last session.

Legislature balanced the budget without raising taxes. They took measures to make more sense of tort reform in Wisconsin and for the first time in years, taxes have been reduced across the state. Many incentives have been put in place for employers to expand and hire more employees.

Tom was a business owner before his election 2010. He says that even though much progress has been made to build a brighter tomorrow for future generations, there is much work still to be done.

Murtha Re-election

State Representative John Murtha formally announced his bid for re-election for the 29th District on Tuesday, September 11.

Murtha is a small business owner, former Chairman for the Town of Eau Galle and citizen legislator for the past six years.

“Over the past six years, I have had the great honor of serving the citizens of the 29th Assembly District. We worked hard to put Wisconsin back on track, including passing the first balanced budget in over a decade and making jobs our highest priority.” said Murtha.

Murtha has achieved many accomplishments while in office including the following; voted for the first balanced budget in over a decade without raising taxes, ensured that important programs such as SeniorCare and FamilyCare were fully funded, voted for over 50 job promoting bills, fought to bring back control to local governments and communities, worked to give second amendment rights to lawful citizens, protected and promoted Wisconsin’s hunting and fishing heritage, made Health Savings Accounts state tax deductible and was awarded Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce (WMC) “Working for Wisconsin Award”, Defender of Liberty for 2012 and Friend of Family Medicine and School Nutrition awards.

“My time as legislator has taught me many important lessons, but most importantly to listen. In 2010, the citizens of the 29th district spoke and demanded change. My colleagues and I worked hard to deliver and I am proud to say that we balanced Wisconsin’s budget, protected seniors, fully funded some of Wisconsin’s most successful programs and all while not raising taxes. I will use our past success to continue and work hard to build a strong future for Wisconsin.”

Representative Murtha will continue to promote job growth and a strong economy as he has already begun to travel throughout the new 29th Assembly District.

He is looking forward to seeing friends as well as meeting new ones.

Representative Murtha is dedicated to making the tough decisions to keep Wisconsin on the right track.