Dave Heaton (Wisconsin politician)
Dave Heaton | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the 85th district | |
| In office January 5, 2015 – January 3, 2017 | |
| Preceded by | Mandy Wright |
| Succeeded by | Patrick Snyder |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 19, 1971 |
| Party | Republican |
| Spouse | married |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | Northern Illinois University (BA) DePaul University (JD) |
| Profession | Reinsurance consultant, attorney, former prosecutor |
Dave Heaton (born October 19, 1971) is an American businessman, lawyer, and Republican politician from Wausau, Wisconsin. He was a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly for one term, representing the 85th Assembly district during the 102nd Wisconsin Legislature.
Background
Dave Heaton grew up in a family of 15 siblings.[1] After high school, he joined the Air National Guard where he served from 1990 to 1996 while simultaneously working his way through college.[2] In 1998, Heaton earned his Juris Doctor degree from DePaul University law school and worked as a prosecutor in Cook County, Illinois. Heaton's career then moved into the private sector as he transitioned from the practice of law into business roles. He currently works as a reinsurance consultant for a company in Wausau.
Elective office
On April 24, 2014, Heaton announced his candidacy for Wisconsin's 85th Assembly District.[3] Heaton was unopposed in the August Republican primary[4] and on November 4, 2014, Heaton defeated incumbent Mandy Wright by 85 votes out of the over 22,000 cast.[5] After the completion of the final canvass of votes his opponent conceded the tight race.[6][7] Heaton is the first Republican to represent Wausau in the Assembly in over 50 years.
2015–2017 Legislature
On January 5, 2015, Representative Heaton was sworn into the Wisconsin State Assembly as member of a 63 member Republican majority the largest in more than 50 years.[8] For the 2015–2017 Session he serves on the Assembly Committees on Consumer Protection, where he serves as Vice Chairman, Children and Families, Judiciary, and Veterans and Military Affairs.[9] Heaton was also appointed to serve as a member of the Speaker's Task Force on Urban Education.[10]
On November 17, 2015, the national advocacy organization, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) recognized Representative Heaton as one of their 2015 Legislators of the Year in Wisconsin.[11] Heaton was recognized for his work on Assembly Bill 266[12] and Senate Bill 222[13] that would strengthen the state's ignition interlock law.[11]
Personal life
Heaton lives in Wausau, Wisconsin with his wife and their three children.
Electoral history
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Dave Heaton | 11,167 | 50.19% | +3.68 % | |
| Democratic | Mandy Wright | 11,082 | 49.81% | +0.06 % | |
| Republican gain from Democratic | |||||
References
- ^ Heaton, Dave. "Dave Heaton: Why I'm running for Assembly". Wausau Daily Herald. Retrieved February 2, 2026.
- ^ "Biographies" (PDF). docs.legis.wisconsin.gov. p. 77. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 8, 2025. Retrieved February 2, 2026.
- ^ "Dave Heaton to challenge Mandy Wright in 85th Assembly race". wsau.com. Archived from the original on December 22, 2015.
- ^ "2014 Fall partisan primary - Assembly, district 85 - Republican" (PDF). p. 184. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 5, 2014.
- ^ Hertel, Nora G. "Heaton defeats Wright with razor-thin margin". Wausau Daily Herald. Retrieved February 2, 2026.
- ^ "State Rep. Mandy Wright concedes election". Archived from the original on December 22, 2015. Retrieved December 13, 2015.
- ^ "Assembly Democrat Wright concedes race to Republican challenger Heaton". wtaq.com. Archived from the original on November 14, 2014.
- ^ Marley, Patrick (November 5, 2014). "GOP majorities in Legislature grow, giving boost to Walker". pp. Journal Sentinel. Archived from the original on May 11, 2016. Retrieved February 2, 2026.
- ^ "Representative David Heaton". docs.legis.wisconsin.gov. Archived from the original on May 1, 2025. Retrieved February 2, 2026.
- ^ "Speaker Vos Creates Three Bipartisan Task Forces". Archived from the original on December 22, 2015. Retrieved December 13, 2015.
- ^ a b "MADD - MADD Announces 2015 Legislators of the Year". Archived from the original on November 24, 2015. Retrieved December 13, 2015.
- ^ "2015 Assembly bill 266" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on December 22, 2015. Retrieved February 2, 2026.
- ^ "2015 Senate bill 222" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on December 22, 2015. Retrieved February 2, 2026.