Retiring Guy's Digest: Who's Running for State Office in Wisconsin 2012: 44th Assembly District

LINK

Public library in the 44th Assembly District
Hedberg Public Library, Janesville

Academic library
Gary J. Lenox Library, UW-Rock County

The Republican Incumbent

Preliminary campaign website.

About Joe Knilans on Facebook.

Biography. Born Janesville, March 20, 1964; married; 2 children.

Graduate Parker H.S. (Janesville) 1982; A.A. general studies UW-Rock Co. 2005; B.S. political science UW-Whitewater 2009.

Full-time legislator. Member: Knights of Columbus.

Elected to Assembly 2010. Won a 4-way Republican primary. Beat a 3-term incumbent in the general election. (Mike Sheridan was Assembly Speaker at the time.)

The Democratic Challengers

Debra Kolste

Kolste announces run for State Assembly seat. (Beloit Daily News, 12/5/2011)

Excerpt: Kolste said she helped create and operate a successful business and believes that small businesses form the backbone of every community, she said.

"My husband and I started a small business, a medical clinic,'' Kolste said. "We built it from the ground up and ensured its success by hiring a great staff and then putting in the hard work ourselves.''

The Kolstes built a medical clinic in Colby, Kan., in 1985 and operated it until moving to Janesville in 1994. Kolste has worked in health care since college.

She has been employed by Mercy Health System since moving to Janesville in 1994. She has volunteered for Mercy Health System Association of Volunteers and served as president of the association for two years.

Sam Liebert