Ron Kind
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| Ron Kind | |
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| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office January 3, 1997 |
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| Preceded by | Steve Gunderson |
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| Born | March 16, 1963 La Crosse, Wisconsin |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Tawni Kind |
| Religion | Lutheran |
Ronald James Kind (born March 16, 1963) is an American politician from the U.S. state of Wisconsin. He has served as a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives since 1997, representing Wisconsin's 3rd congressional district.
Kind is a native of La Crosse, Wisconsin. He was first elected in Wisconsin's 3rd congressional district (map) in November 1996. He currently serves on the powerful House Committee on Ways and Means. His other (non-committee) titles are the Democratic Chief Deputy Whip, co-founder of both the Upper Mississippi River Congressional Caucus and the Congressional Wildlife Refuge Caucus, and is a co-vice-chair of the New Democrat Coalition.
As a New Democrat, Congressman Kind is a strong proponent of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Kind most recently took a lead role in passing the Peru Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in November of 2007.
Kind was born and raised in western Wisconsin. He is the third of five children born to Greta and Elroy Kind, and the fifth generation of his family to live in the area.[citation needed] Kind's mother formerly worked as the assistant director of personnel in the La Crosse School District.[citation needed] His father had a 35-year career as a telephone repairman and union leader at the La Crosse Telephone Company.[citation needed]
Kind attended the public schools in La Crosse and became a standout student athlete at Logan High School in both football and basketball. He accepted a scholarship to Harvard University where he graduated with honors in 1985. While attending Harvard, Kind played quarterback on the football team and worked during the summer with Wisconsin Senator William Proxmire in Washington. In Proxmire's office he helped investigate waste, which provided the basis for some of the senator's famous Golden Fleece Awards.[citation needed]
Kind went on to receive a master's degree from the London School of Economics and a Law Degree from the University of Minnesota Law School. He practiced law for two years at the law firm of Quarles and Brady in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Kind returned to his hometown of La Crosse to become a county prosecutor, later serving as special prosecutor in numerous counties throughout western Wisconsin.[citation needed]
In September 1995, Kind announced his intention to run for the 3rd Congressional District seat being vacated by 16-year incumbent Steve Gunderson. He later won a five-person race for the Democratic nomination and went on to defeat his Republican opponent 52% to 48%. In 2004 he won with 57% of the vote and won with 65% of the vote in 2006 against Paul R. Nelson.
Kind and his wife, Tawni, live in his hometown of La Crosse. She is an official court reporter for the County Court system. They have two sons, Johnny (born in August 1996) and Matthew (born in May 1998). They are members of the Immanuel Lutheran Church. Kind is a member of the La Crosse Optimists Club, a leader in the Boys' and Girls' Club, and the La Crosse YMCA. He is also on the board of directors for Coulee Council on Alcohol or Other Drug Abuse. Tawni organizes the annual Congressional Art Competition for high school artists in western Wisconsin.
[edit] External links
- U.S. Congressman Ron Kind official U.S. House website
- Ron Kind for Congress campaign website
- Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
- Voting record maintained by The Washington Post
- Campaign finance reports and data at the Federal Election Commission
- Campaign contributions at OpenSecrets.org
- Biography, voting record, and interest group ratings at Project Vote Smart
- Issue positions and quotes at On The Issues
- Profile at SourceWatch Congresspedia
- Democratic Party of Wisconsin - Ron Kind biography
| Preceded by Steve Gunderson |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Wisconsin's 3rd congressional district 1997 – present |
Incumbent |
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