Mike Sheridan
Sheridan in 2009
77th Speaker of the Wisconsin State Assembly
In office
January 5, 2009 – January 3, 2011
Preceded byMichael Huebsch
Succeeded byJeff Fitzgerald
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly
from the 44th district
In office
January 3, 2005 – January 3, 2011
Preceded byWayne W. Wood
Succeeded byJoe Knilans
Personal details
Born (1958-09-17) September 17, 1958
Janesville, Wisconsin, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Spouses
  • Connie S. Mageland
    ​
    (div. 1989)​
  • Sarah L. Hessenauer
    ​
    ​
    (m. 2003; div. 2009)​
  • Kim Karlene Pavlik
ResidenceJanesville, Wisconsin
Alma materUniversity of Wisconsin–Rock County
OccupationAuto worker, consultant

Michael James "Mike" Sheridan (born September 17, 1958) is an American consultant, substance abuse counselor, and former politician from Janesville, Wisconsin. A Democrat, he was the 77th speaker of the Wisconsin State Assembly (2009–2011), and represented Janesville in the Assembly for six years. He currently works as head of business development in Wisconsin for Recovery Centers of America. Prior to his legislative service, he worked at the General Motors Janesville Assembly plant and was president of the United Auto Workers Local 95 from 2002 through 2008.

Early life and UAW work

Sheridan was born and raised in Janesville, Wisconsin, graduating from Janesville's George S. Parker High School in 1977. Shortly after leaving school, he went to work in automobile assembly at the General Motors Janesville Assembly plant, where he became a member of the United Auto Workers Union. He was active in the union, rising through the ranks of Local 95 until becoming president in 2002. He returned to school later in life, completing his associate's degree in political science and government at University of Wisconsin–Rock County in 2004. As union president, he was involved in critical discussions which extended the viability of the Janesville plant in 2003 and 2004.[1][2]

Political career

Following on the announcement of the plant's survival, Sheridan launched his first campaign for public office in 2004, running for Wisconsin State Assembly in the 44th Assembly district. He faced two opponents in the Democratic primary, but prevailed union support, receiving 47% of the vote.[3] He went on to easily win the general election, winning 60% in a four person race.[4] He won re-election in 2006 and 2008.[5][6]

In March 2007, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported on a bill sponsored by Sheridan and state representative Eugene Hahn of Cambria, Wisconsin, that would have offered a $1,000 tax credit for buyers of flex-fuel vehicles, representing a benefit for the automobile and ethanol industries. Hahn was reported to have an investment in an ethanol company, and Sheridan's position at the UAW was highlighted.[7] The Janesville Gazette editorialized that the Janesville economy was dependent on the success of the GM plant, saying, "Voters expect him to fight for GM's interests at the Capitol."[8]

In February 2010, Sheridan admitted dating a lobbyist for payday lenders at a time when the Wisconsin Legislature was debating regulating the industry.[9] On November 2, 2010, Sheridan was defeated for reelection.[10] Although Republicans were assisted by a national wave in 2010, driven by the Tea Party movement and resistance to the Affordable Care Act, Sheridan's defeat in the Janesville-based 44th Assembly district was a significant upset.[11][12]

After leaving office, he remained involved in politics, working as legislative and policy director for the Wisconsin AFL-CIO. In April 2014, Sheridan announced he would run for office again, seeking to succeed state senator Timothy Cullen, who was retiring.[13] Sheridan faced significant resistance in the Democratic primary, both from his opponents and from Democratic voices around the state. Former Assembly Democratic leader James Kreuser wrote an open letter blasting Sheridan for his personal and professional missteps in the lead-up to the 2010 election.[14] Sheridan came in a distant third in the Democratic primary.[15][16]

Later years

After losing the senate primary, Sheridan left politics behind and found work in the private sector. He founded his consulting business in 2016, and around the same time began working in the area of substance abuse treatment and recovery. He has worked as a counselor at Wisconsin Voices for Recovery since at least 2017. Since 2021, he has also worked in drug abuse outreach for the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, and is now the state business development director for the Recovery Centers of America. Sheridan identifies as a recovering addict.[17]

Personal life and family

Michael Sheridan has been married three times. His first wife was Connie S. Mageland. They divorced in 1989.[18] He subsequently married Sarah L. Hessenauer in 2003, but they divorced just six years later, in 2009.[19] He is now married to Kim Pavlik.[20] Sheridan still resides in Janesville.[17]

Electoral history

Wisconsin Assembly (2004, 2006, 2008, 2010)

Year Election Date Elected Defeated Total Plurality
2004 Primary[3] Sep. 14 Michael J. Sheridan Democratic 2,556 47.72% Kevin Murray Dem. 1,840 34.35% 5,356 716
Thomas Brien Dem. 958 17.89%
General[4] Nov. 2 Michael J. Sheridan Democratic 16,053 60.27% Ty A. Bollerud Rep. 5,861 22.00% 26,636 10,192
Charles A. Knipp Ind. 3,935 14.77%
Steve Trueblood Ind. 748 2.81%
2006 General[5] Nov. 7 Michael J. Sheridan (inc) Democratic 13,204 69.30% Fred E. Yoss Rep. 5,834 30.62% 19,054 7,370
2008 General[6] Nov. 4 Michael J. Sheridan (inc) Democratic 19,531 99.15% 19,698 19,364
2010 General[10] Nov. 2 Joe Knilans Republican 8,684 51.50% Michael J. Sheridan (inc) Dem. 8,169 48.45% 16,862 515

Wisconsin Senate (2014)

Wisconsin Senate, 15th District Election, 2014[16]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Primary, August 12, 2014
Democratic Janis Ringhand 6,163 39.77%
Democratic Austin Scieszinski 5,882 37.96%
Democratic Michael J. Sheridan 3,448 22.25%
Scattering 4 0.03%
Plurality 281 1.81%
Total votes 15,497 100.0%

References

  1. ↑ "Janesville GM workers ratify new contract". The Capital Times. December 16, 2003. p. 36. Retrieved November 29, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ↑ Newman, Judy (January 29, 2004). "Janesville giddy over GM announcement". Wisconsin State Journal. p. 1. Retrieved November 29, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. 1 2 Results of Fall Primary Election - 09/14/2004 (Report). Wisconsin State Elections Board. November 10, 2004. p. 46. Retrieved November 29, 2023 – via Wisconsin Historical Society.
  4. 1 2 Results of Fall General Election - 11/02/2004 (Report). Wisconsin State Elections Board. December 1, 2004. p. 26. Retrieved November 29, 2023 – via Wisconsin Historical Society.
  5. 1 2 Results of Fall General Election - 11/07/2006 (Report). Wisconsin State Elections Board. December 11, 2006. p. 26. Retrieved November 29, 2023 – via Wisconsin Historical Society.
  6. 1 2 Results of Fall General Election - 11/04/2008 (Report). Wisconsin State Elections Board. December 1, 2008. p. 24. Retrieved November 29, 2023 – via Wisconsin Historical Society.
  7. ↑ Raquel Rutledge (March 12, 2007). "Ethanol bill poses conflicts: One sponsor has $20,000 interest in fuel producer". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Archived from the original on March 15, 2007. Retrieved March 16, 2007.
  8. ↑ "Sheridan right to back bill to help GM". Janesville Gazette. March 16, 2007. Retrieved March 16, 2007.
  9. ↑ Stein, Jason; Spicuzza, Mary (February 2, 2010). "Assembly Speaker Mike Sheridan acknowledges dating lobbyist". Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  10. 1 2 Results of Fall General Election - 11/02/2010 (Report). Wisconsin Government Accountability Board. December 1, 2010. p. 20. Retrieved November 29, 2023 – via Wisconsin Historical Society.
  11. ↑ "GOP challenger defeats Majority Leader Decker". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. November 3, 2010. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  12. ↑ "Sheridan 'shocked' at election results". The Capital Times. November 17, 2010. p. 10. Retrieved November 29, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ↑ "Mike Sheridan announce candidacy for Senate District seat". Channel3000. April 26, 2014. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  14. ↑ Stein, Jason (July 23, 2014). "Former colleague rips ex-Speaker Sheridan, Senate run". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  15. ↑ Leute, Jim (August 11, 2014). "Janis Ringhand narrowly defeats Austin Scieszinski in 15th Senate race". Janesville Gazette. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  16. 1 2 Canvass Results for 2014 Fall Partisan Primary - 8/12/2014 (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Government Accountability Board. August 29, 2014. p. 10. Retrieved November 29, 2023 – via Wisconsin Elections Commission.
  17. 1 2 "Meet Our Team". Wisconsin Voices for Recovery. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  18. ↑ "Rock County Case Number 1989FA000184J Michael J Sheridan vs Connie S Sheridan". Wisconsin Court System. April 17, 1989. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  19. ↑ "Rock County Case Number 2009FA000958 In RE the marriage of Michael J Sheridan and Sarah L Sheridan". Wisconsin Court System. October 9, 2009. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  20. ↑ "Ann P. Sheridan". Schneider Funeral Directors. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
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