J.B. Van Hollen
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J.B. Van Hollen is the current Attorney General for the State of Wisconsin. First elected in 2006, Van Hollen is currently serving his second term after getting re-elected in 2010.
Van Hollen received his undergraduate in Political Science and Economics from St. Olaf’s college in 1988, and his Juris Doctor from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 1990. Prior to being elected Attorney General, Van Hollen also served as an Assistant State Public Defender in Spooner, Wis., Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin. Governor Thompson appointed him to serve as the District Attorney positions in Ashland and Bayfield Counties.
| John Byron (J.B.) Van Hollen | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born |
February 19th, 1966 Chetek, Wis. |
| Known for | 43rd Wisconsin Attorney General |
| Spouse(s) | Lynne |
| Children |
Byron Madelyn |
Contents |
2006 Election
In his first election bid for Wisconsin Attorney General, Van Hollen criticized his opponent Kathleen Falk for lacking experience as a criminal prosecutor[1]. The Van Hollen campaign also establish a now defunct website, DemsforJB.com, intended to let give democrats an opportunity to learn about the republican candidate.
Early WisPolitics.com polls gave Falk a 38 percent victory over Van Hollen’s 33 percent, but noted nearly 30 percent of voters were “undecided”.[2]
Van Hollen won by a narrow margin, defeating Falk with only 50.2% of the vote.
Van Hollen was the only Republican in the country to gain a statewide seat held by a Democrat in the 2006 election. Van Hollen was also the first republican to win the Attorney General position in Wisconsin since Don Hanaway in 1986.[3]
Recount
Falk’s campaign manager gave and indication that they would review the official canvas and determine if a recount was necessary. Ultimately, Falk chose not to seek a recount of the votes.[4]
2010 Election
On April 26th, 2010, Van Hollen announced he would seek re-election. Van Hollen received endorsement for the second time from the Wisconsin Professional Police Association.
Van Hollen’s opponent was Democrat Scott Hassett, who criticized Van Hollen for acting partisan on some issues. Van Hollen’s campaign noted that Hassett had never prosecuted a case.[5]
Van Hollen won the election with 57% of the vote.[6][7]
Issues as Attorney General
DNA Backlog
Among Van Hollen’s 2006 campaign promises was the elimination of the DNA backlog at the State Crime Lab. In March of 2007, 31 new DNA analyst positions were approved through bipartisan legislation[8] Van Hollen vowed to eliminate the backlog by the year 2010.[9]
The backlog was successfully eliminated by early 2010, through the addition of personnel and what Rep. Karl Van Roy vaguely referred to as “...increased productivity.” [10]
External Links
Other Resources
References
- ↑ http://badgerherald.com/news/2006/10/26/ag_candidates_debate.php AG candidates debate merits
- ↑ http://badgerherald.com/news/2006/09/29/van_hollen_site_rall.php Van Hollen site rallies Democrats
- ↑ http://badgerherald.com/news/2006/11/09/van_hollen_wins_but_.php Van Hollen wins, but recount possible
- ↑ http://legis.wisconsin.gov/spotlight/spotl251.htm Wisconsin Legislative Spotlight, December 4th, 2006, retrieved 03/01/2011
- ↑ http://badgerherald.com/news/2010/04/27/attorney_general_to_.php Attorney general to run for reelection
- ↑ http://november2010elections.journalism.wisc.edu/ UW-Madison School of Journalism, Election Coverage 2010, retrieved 03/01/2011
- ↑ http://badgerherald.com/news/2010/11/03/van_hollen_la_follet.php Van Hollen, La Follette, Mahoney to stay
- ↑ http://legis.wisconsin.gov/assembly/asm01/news/media/2007r/0301.htm
- ↑ http://badgerherald.com/oped/2007/03/21/dna_backlog_imperils.php DNA backlog imperils justice
- ↑ http://legis.wisconsin.gov/assembly/asm90/news/E-newsletters/04.30.10.htm State Representative Karl Van Roy, April 30, 2010 E-Newsletter, retrieved 03/01/2011
