Tom Nelson (Wisconsin politician)

Tom Nelson (born March 3, 1976) is an American politician from Kaukauna, Wisconsin who has served as the County Executive of Outagamie County since April 19, 2011.[1] Nelson was the Democratic nominee for the United States House of Representatives seat for Wisconsin's 8th congressional district in 2016.[2] He was defeated in the general election by Republican nominee Mike Gallagher.[3] Nelson was also the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor in the 2010 Wisconsin gubernatorial election. On October 20, 2020, he filed a statement of candidacy with the FEC for the 2022 United States Senate election in Wisconsin.

Tom Nelson
Executive of Outagamie County
Incumbent
Assumed office April 19, 2011
Preceded by	Toby Paltzer
Majority Leader of the Wisconsin Assembly
In office January 2009 – January 3, 2011
Preceded by	Jeff Fitzgerald
Succeeded by	Scott Suder
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the 5th district
In office January 3, 2005 – January 3, 2011
Preceded by	Becky Weber
Succeeded by	Jim Steineke
Personal details
Born	March 3, 1976 St. Paul, Minnesota, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Maria Nelson
Children	2
Education	Carleton College (BA) Princeton University (MPA)
Website	Campaign website

During the 2020 Democratic presidential primary, Nelson was a delegate for Bernie Sanders.[4][5]

Early life and education

Nelson was born in Saint Paul, Minnesota, in 1976 to Steven and Marjorie Nelson.[6] The family moved four years later to Combined Locks, where Nelson’s father started Christ the King Lutheran Church. Nelson graduated from Little Chute High School in 1994 and went on to earn a B.A. from Carleton College in 1998 and an M.P.A. from Princeton University in 2004.

Career

Nelson is a former member of the Wisconsin State Assembly representing the 5th Assembly District (northeastern Outagamie County, western Brown County and the Town of Maple Grove in Shawano County) from 2005 to 2011. He was first elected to the Assembly in 2004, defeating Republican incumbent Becky Weber 51 percent to 49 percent.[7] He was the only Democratic to unseat an incumbent legislative Republican.[8] When he took office on January 3, 2005, he was the youngest member of the state Assembly. Nelson was assigned to the standing committees on health, insurance, rural development and transportation.[9] Nelson defeated Jim Reigel of Hobart 62 percent to 38 percent.[10] Nelson sought re-election again in 2008, beating Jim Steineke 64 percent to 34 percent.[11] Members of the Assembly Democratic caucus elected him Majority Leader on November 12, 2008 for the upcoming 2009-10 session.[12]

2010 run for Lieutenant Governor

In 2010, Nelson announced that he was running for the position of Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin, rather than seek re-election to the Assembly.[13] He gave up his position of Majority Leader post with the goal of helping Tom Barrett defeat Scott Walker.[14]

Nelson waited until the end of the legislative session to launch his campaign because he wanted to focus on “his legislative responsibilities”.[15] Nelson officially announced his candidacy on May 25, 2010[16] just over three months before the fall primary on September 10, 2010.[17]

On September 14, Nelson won the Democratic nomination in a four-way race, defeating State Senator Spencer Coggs and two others.[18]

During the general election, Nelson made repeated requests to Republican lieutenant governor nominee Rebecca Kleefish to debate, but Kleefisch refused.[19][20] The gubernatorial candidates debated three times.[21]

Nelson and running mate Tom Barrett (who ran as a ticket) were defeated in the 2010 general election by Rebecca Kleefisch and Scott Walker.[22]

Outagamie County executive

On April 5, 2011, Nelson defeated former Republican State Treasurer of Wisconsin Jack Voight for county executive of Outagamie County, by roughly 52% - 48%. He had advanced to the general election by winning a six-way primary in February. He sought re-election two times in 2015 and 2019 and was uncontested in each race.[23]

Appleton Coated

In his second term, Nelson filed an objection[24] in Outagamie County Circuit Court to the sale of Appleton Coated, a paper mill founded in 1889[25] in the village of Combined Locks to an industrial scrap dealer, Industrial Assets of California.[26] The distressed mill had filed for receivership in August 2017.[27] The United Steelworkers which represented hourly workers at the mill also objected. Under Wisconsin receivership law, individuals or entities affected by the sale can object to the sale.[28] At subsequent court hearings, USW and Nelson's case was heard.[29] Their appeal was successful. The presiding judge directed the presumptive new owner, Industrial Assets, to run the plant or find a buyer who would.[30] Industrial Assets chose to run the facility as a going concern and not sell it off as parts and the mill was operational beginning December of that year.[31] The third and final paper machine went online in March of the following year.[32]

Sales tax

At the beginning of his third term in 2019, Nelson opposed the adoption of a county-wide sales tax. Outagamie County was one of just six counties (out of 72) that had not yet implemented a county sales tax, although it had been debating the matter on and off since the 1980s.[33] In June, Nelson vetoed the tax,[34] citing widespread opposition to the measure.[35] The county board overrode his veto[36] and the tax took effect in January 2020.[37] Prior to his veto, Nelson ran a radio ad touting his objection to the sales tax and calling on residents to contact their supervisors. Supervisors demanded Nelson take down his ad, but Nelson demurred,[38] citing his right to run the ads.[39]

2016 U.S. House of Representatives election

On April 7, 2016, Nelson announced that he would run for the U.S. Congress seat being vacated by retiring Representative Reid Ribble. Nelson was recruited by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.[40] The committee reserved $730,000 for its independent expenditure arm and the Super PAC, House Majority PAC, $200,000.[41] Late in the campaign, Nelson made the committee's Red to Blue program, the top-tier races.[42] At the beginning of the general election campaign following the August primary, the race was considered a pure toss up[43] by the Rothenberg and Gonzalez Political Report.

Nelson was endorsed by Our Revolution[44] a coalition of former Bernie Sanders that backed progressive candidates across the country. He also received substantial labor backing with contributions from thirteen labor-PACs.[45][46] He also received endorsements from the National Committee to Protect Social Security and Medicare and League of Conservation Voters.[47]

Nelson raised about $1.8 million over the course of a seven-month campaign Gallagher raised almost $1 million more[48] ($2.7 million) than Nelson. Outside groups outspent Nelson by a margin of three-to-one compared to his opponent Gallagher.[49] He lost to former Walker aide and US Senate staff Mike Gallagher, who won 63% of the vote.

2022 U.S. Senate election

On October 20, 2020, Nelson filed with the Federal Election Commission, indicating a run for the U.S. Senate seat in Wisconsin.[50] On October 26, 2020, Nelson formally announced his candidacy.[51]

Political views

During the 2020 Democratic presidential primary, Nelson was a delegate for Bernie Sanders,[4][5] a self-described democratic socialist. During the primary, Nelson called on Democratic candidates to be more aggressive in their support for organized labor, noting the role labor unions played in the passage of key components of Franklin Delano Roosevelt's New Deal.[52]

Nelson has endorsed raising taxes on the wealthy to fund social security.[53] He has praised the Green New Deal, stating that he hopes to forge a "blue-green coalition in the progressive movement, to unite the environmental and labor movements."[54]

He has endorsed Medicare for All.

Personal life

Nelson is married to Maria Nelson and resides in Appleton, Wisconsin with their two young children.[55]

References

1. Bach, Peter. "Tom Nelson edges Jack Voight in Outagamie County Executive race: Nelson edges Voight in tight Outagamie executive race" Appleton Post-Crescent April 6, 2011
2. Ted Miller and Rhonda Roberts (April 7, 2016). "Outagamie County Exec Nelson announces Congressional run". wbay.com. Archived from the original on April 7, 2016. Retrieved April 7, 2016.
3. Rodewald, Adam; Behr, Madeleine (November 9, 2016). "Mike Gallagher wins 8th Congressional District". Green Bay Press Gazette. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
4. Nichols, John. "John Nichols: Why Tom Nelson is launching a 2022 U.S. Senate bid before the 2020 campaign is finished". madison.com. Retrieved 2021-01-24.
5. "Democrat Tom Nelson announces 2022 bid to unseat Johnson". AP NEWS. 2020-10-26. Retrieved 2021-01-24.
6. Rodewald, Adam. "Tom Nelson known for hard work, listening". Green Bay Press-Gazette. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
7. Writer, TODD RICHMOND Associated Press. "GOP keeps control of Wisconsin Legislature". Chippewa Herald. Retrieved 2020-10-13.
8. Writer, TODD RICHMOND Associated Press. "GOP keeps control of Wisconsin Legislature". Chippewa Herald. Retrieved 2020-10-13.
9. "Wisconsin Legislature: 2005-01-03 Assembly Journal". docs.legis.wisconsin.gov. Retrieved 2020-10-13.
10. "Wisconsin Election Results, 2006" (PDF). 2006.
11. "Wisconsin Legislature Blue Book 2009" (PDF).
12. "Assembly Facts".
13. Writer, SCOTT BAUER | Associated Press. "Walker, Barrett spar over jobs". Chippewa Herald. Retrieved 2020-10-13.
14. Writer, SCOTT BAUER | Associated Press. "Walker, Barrett spar over jobs". Chippewa Herald. Retrieved 2020-10-13.
15. May 27th 2010 - 6pm, Shelley Nelson |. "Majority leader targets higher office". Superior Telegram. Retrieved 2020-10-13.
16. "Assembly Majority Leader joins race for Lt. Governor". Wisconsin Radio Network. 2010-05-25. Retrieved 2020-10-14.
17. "Wisconsin lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2010". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2020-10-14.
18. Craver, Jack (2010-08-24). "What about Spencer Coggs?". Isthmus | Madison, Wisconsin. Retrieved 2020-10-14.
19. "No Lt. Gov. debates scheduled". RiverTowns. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
20. "Why Won't Kleefisch Debate?". Milwaukee Magazine. 2010-10-12. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
21. [email protected] | 608-252-6122, MARY SPICUZZA |. "Barrett, Walker stay on the offensive in final debate". madison.com. Retrieved 2020-10-14.
22. "Wisconsin Election Results 2016". The New York Times. 2017-08-01. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-10-14.
23. Behnke, Duke. "Nelson seeks re-election as Outagamie County executive". The Post-Crescent. Retrieved 2020-10-14.
24. News, Courtney Ryan, FOX 11 (2017-09-20). "Uncertainty remains for 600 employees amid pending sale of Appleton Coated". WLUK. Retrieved 2020-10-14.
25. "Appleton Coated named "Green Professional" – WisBusiness". www.wisbusiness.com. Retrieved 2020-10-14.
26. "Machinery". www.industrialassets.com. Retrieved 2020-10-14.
27. NETWORK-Wisconsin, Maureen Wallenfang/USA TODAY. "Appleton Coated files for receivership, seeks a buyer". The Post-Crescent. Retrieved 2020-10-14.
28. "The Rise of Receiverships" (PDF).
29. News, Alex Ronallo, FOX 11 (2017-09-25). "Appleton Coated hearing underway". WLUK. Retrieved 2020-10-14.
30. Matesic, Emily; Zimmerman, Jason. "Judge approves sale of Appleton Coated". https://www.wbay.com. Retrieved 2020-10-14. External link in |website= (help)
31. "Appleton Coated restarting machine, calling back 50 workers". https://www.wbay.com. Retrieved 2020-10-14. External link in |website= (help)
32. Wallenfang, Maureen. "Appleton Coated comes back to life with worker recalls, machine re-starts". The Post-Crescent. Retrieved 2020-10-14.
33. Soellner, Mica. "Outagamie County Board chairman at odds with county executive over sales tax ad". The Post-Crescent. Retrieved 2020-10-14.
34. Soellner, Mica. "Outagamie County Executive Tom Nelson vetoes 0.5% sales tax". The Post-Crescent. Retrieved 2020-10-14.
35. Soellner, Mica. "Outagamie County Executive Tom Nelson says emails urge him to veto half-percent sales tax". The Post-Crescent. Retrieved 2020-10-14.
36. "UPDATE: Outagamie County Board overrides Nelson's veto on sales tax increase". WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton. 2019-05-29. Retrieved 2020-10-14.
37. "Outagamie County sales tax increase takes effect". WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton. 2020-01-01. Retrieved 2020-10-14.
38. Soellner, Mica. "Outagamie County Board chairman at odds with county executive over sales tax ad". The Post-Crescent. Retrieved 2020-10-14.
39. Soellner, Mica. "Outagamie County Board chairman at odds with county executive over sales tax ad". The Post-Crescent. Retrieved 2020-10-14.
40. "Morning Digest: Wisconsin Democrats get their recruit for an open swing seat". Daily Kos. Retrieved 2020-10-14.
41. "Democrats Reserve Nearly $1 Million for Wisconsin House Race". Roll Call. Retrieved 2020-10-14.
42. Behr, Jeff Bollier, and Madeleine. "Millions already allocated for congressional race". Green Bay Press-Gazette. Retrieved 2020-10-14.
43. Behr, Jeff Bollier, and Madeleine. "Millions already allocated for congressional race". Green Bay Press-Gazette. Retrieved 2020-10-14.
44. Investigator (2018-04-08). "The premature death of Our Revolution". Medium. Retrieved 2020-10-14.
45. Journal, Mark Sommerhauser | Wisconsin State. "Super PAC to back Hillary Clinton, Russ Feingold, other Democrats in Wisconsin". madison.com. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
46. Bycoffe, Derek Willis, Sisi Wei, Aaron. "FEC Itemizer". ProPublica. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
47. "LCV Endorses Tom Nelson".
48. NW, The Center for Responsive Politics 1300 L. St; Washington, Suite 200; info, DC 20005 telelphone857-0044. "Wisconsin District 08 2016 Race". OpenSecrets. Retrieved 2020-10-14.
49. NW, The Center for Responsive Politics 1300 L. St; Washington, Suite 200; info, DC 20005 telelphone857-0044. "Wisconsin District 08 Race". OpenSecrets. Retrieved 2020-10-14.
50. Kerhin, Brian (October 23, 2020). "Federal records show Nelson registers candidacy for U.S. Senate". WLUK. Sinclair Broadcast Group. Retrieved October 23, 2020.
51. "Democrats already angling to take out Ron Johnson in 2022". POLITICO. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
52. executive, Thomas Nelson | Outagamie County. "Thomas Nelson: Trump's challengers should take stands on labor reform". madison.com. Retrieved 2021-01-24.
53. Rodewald, Adam. "Nelson: Raise Social Security tax on wealthy". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved 2021-01-24.
54. Nichols, John. "John Nichols: Why Tom Nelson is launching a 2022 U.S. Senate bid before the 2020 campaign is finished". madison.com. Retrieved 2021-01-24.
55. "Interfaith couple focuses on similarities of their faiths". The Compass. 2017-10-25. Retrieved 2020-10-13.

External links

• Profile at Vote Smart
• Follow the Money - Tom Nelson
  • 2008 2006 2004 campaign contributions
• Campaign 2008 campaign contributions at Wisconsin Democracy Campaign