The deaths of two former state senators remind us of a less partisan Wisconsin Legislature

Photo of former state Sen. George Petak, inset left, via LinkedIn. Photo of former state Sen. Tim Cullen, inset right, AP File/Cara Lombardo. Photo of Senate chamber: File/Christina Lieffring.

By Pat Kreitlow

January 2, 2025

Republican George Petak was kicked out of office for supporting a tax that funded a new Brewers stadium. Democrat Tim Cullen joined a Republican governor’s cabinet.

The recent deaths of two former state senators—as well as the passing of former President Jimmy Carter—offer a reminder of a time when politics wasn’t as partisan and polarizing as it is now.

Republican Sen. George Petak switched his vote in 1995 so that a bill would pass that allowed the construction of the Milwaukee Brewers’ stadium, now known as American Family Field. Anger over the 0.1% sales tax in the five-county metro area fueled a recall election the following year, leading Petak to become the first Wisconsin lawmaker kicked out of office by voters mid-term.

Democratic Sen. Tim Cullen served as Majority Leader in the Wisconsin State Senate when he surprised many in 1987 with his decision to serve as Republican Gov. Tommy Thompson’s secretary of health. Cullen would eventually return to the Senate in 2010 and attempted in 2011 to negotiate with Gov. Scott Walker over the bill that would later be known as Act 10, removing collective bargaining rights from public sector workers. Cullen later criticized Walker for negotiating in bad faith.

Cullen passed away Dec. 23 at age 80, Petak died Dec. 24 at age 75.

Author

Pat Kreitlow

The Founding Editor of UpNorthNews, Pat was a familiar presence on radio and TV stations in western Wisconsin before serving in the state Legislature. After a brief stint living in the Caribbean, Pat and wife returned to Chippewa Falls to be closer to their growing group of grandchildren. He now serves as UNN's chief political correspondent and host of UpNorthNews Radio, airing weekday mornings 6 a.m.-8 a.m on the Civic Media radio network and the UpNorthNews Facebook page.

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CATEGORIES: STATE LEGISLATURE

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