Election Preview: Wisconsin 84th State Assembly District

Thanks to redistricting prompted by population shifts in the 2010 census, Greenfield will have a third representative starting in 2013.

Republican state Rep. Mike Kuglitsch, a small business owner and manager, is facing a challenge from a recent college graduate in the 84th Assembly District, which now includes part of New Berlin, Greenfield and Milwaukee. (See map)

Kuglitsch is the former owner and operator of Kuglitsch's Entertainment Center, which he sold in 1998. He built Motion Fitness and Racquet Club, where he was the general manager. The club was sold to the Princeton Club. He remained the general manager until taking office in 2010.

Kuglitsch has been a resident of New Berlin since 1974 and graduated from New Berlin West High School before earning a degree in business at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

Among the items listed as his accomplishments on his campaign website are:

• "Supported a budget that erased a $3.5 billion deficit without raising taxes, without using budgeting gimmicks and without laying off Wisconsin public employees;"
• "Supported voter ID legislation that ensures integrity is put back int our elections;"
• "Supported and voted for various bills that will assist our state’s economy, by reducing regulations and red tape that have stood in the way of growth for years. A small government will give Wisconsin the greatest opportunity of success."

Kuglitsch did not immediately respond to Patch's request to be interviewed for this story.

Challenger and Democrat Jesse Roelke received degrees in journalism and mass communication and political science in 2010 from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, but not much else is know about him other than he is registered to vote in Sauk Prairie, nearly two hours away from the district he is running in.

Roelke also did not immediately return a request to be interviewed by Patch.

Wisconsin state representatives serve two-year terms and earn $49,943.00 annually. They also receive a per diem of $88 per day for each day they work in Madison.

Candidate profiles

• Republican Mike Kuglitsch (incumbent)
• Democrat Jesse Roelke