John Medinger
Encyclopedia
John Donald Medinger is a La Crosse, Wisconsin
area politician and lecturer at the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse. He served as the 39th mayor of La Crosse from 1997-2005.
in 1976, representing the 95th district and served that post for sixteen years until 1992. During his time in the Assembly, he climbed the political ladder all the way to Assistant Majority Leader.
After he left the Assembly in 1992, he worked for United States Senator Russ Feingold
until 1996. In the spring of 1997, after the retirement of longtime La Crosse Mayor Patrick Zielke, Medinger ran for mayor. He won the election over political newcomer Dan Herber.
In 2001, he won reelection in a landslide over alderman Gerald Every. In 2005, he retired from the Mayor's Office.
Today, he remains active in the political spectrum as a member of the La Crosse County Board, and serves as United States Senator Herb Kohl
's La Crosse area representative. His family has also been prominent in local politics. His father, Donald, was a long time alderman and county supervisor. Donald Medinger served on the La Crosse Common Council for 32 years. John's sister Sonja ran for La Crosse County Treasurer, his sister Linda served as a congressional staffer for Ron Kind
, and his brother Tim is a Holmen
School Board representative.
La Crosse, Wisconsin
La Crosse is a city in and the county seat of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, United States. The city lies alongside the Mississippi River.The 2011 Census Bureau estimates the city had a population of 52,485...
area politician and lecturer at the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse. He served as the 39th mayor of La Crosse from 1997-2005.
Political life
Medinger was elected to the Wisconsin State AssemblyWisconsin State Assembly
The Wisconsin State Assembly is the lower house of the Wisconsin Legislature. Together with the smaller Wisconsin Senate, the two constitute the legislative branch of the U.S. state of Wisconsin....
in 1976, representing the 95th district and served that post for sixteen years until 1992. During his time in the Assembly, he climbed the political ladder all the way to Assistant Majority Leader.
After he left the Assembly in 1992, he worked for United States Senator Russ Feingold
Russ Feingold
Russell Dana "Russ" Feingold is an American politician from the U.S. state of Wisconsin. He served as a Democratic party member of the U.S. Senate from 1993 to 2011. From 1983 to 1993, Feingold was a Wisconsin State Senator representing the 27th District.He is a recipient of the John F...
until 1996. In the spring of 1997, after the retirement of longtime La Crosse Mayor Patrick Zielke, Medinger ran for mayor. He won the election over political newcomer Dan Herber.
In 2001, he won reelection in a landslide over alderman Gerald Every. In 2005, he retired from the Mayor's Office.
Post-Politics
Medinger accepted a job at the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse as an associate lecturer of political science about state and local government.Today, he remains active in the political spectrum as a member of the La Crosse County Board, and serves as United States Senator Herb Kohl
Herb Kohl
Herbert H. "Herb" Kohl is the senior U.S. Senator from Wisconsin and a member of the Democratic Party. He is also a philanthropist and the owner of the Milwaukee Bucks National Basketball Association team...
's La Crosse area representative. His family has also been prominent in local politics. His father, Donald, was a long time alderman and county supervisor. Donald Medinger served on the La Crosse Common Council for 32 years. John's sister Sonja ran for La Crosse County Treasurer, his sister Linda served as a congressional staffer for Ron Kind
Ron Kind
Ronald James "Ron" Kind is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1997. He is a member of the Democratic Party. His district is located in the western portion of the state and is anchored by La Crosse and Eau Claire and Platteville....
, and his brother Tim is a Holmen
Holmen, Wisconsin
Holmen is a village in La Crosse County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 9,005 at the 2010 census. It is part of the La Crosse Metropolitan Area.-Geography:...
School Board representative.