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Wikipedia

Ron Kind

Ronald James Kind OBE (born March 16, 1963) is an American lawyer and politician who served as the U.S. representative for Wisconsin's 3rd congressional district from 1997 to 2023. He is a member of the Democratic Party. His former district is in western Wisconsin, anchored by La Crosse, Eau Claire, Platteville, Stevens Point, Wisconsin Rapids, Prescott, and River Falls. Kind was the dean of Wisconsin's congressional delegation when he chose not to seek re-election in 2022.

Ron Kind
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Wisconsin's 3rd district
In office
January 3, 1997 – January 3, 2023
Preceded bySteve Gunderson
Succeeded byDerrick Van Orden
Chair of the New Democrat Coalition
In office
January 3, 2013 – January 3, 2017
Preceded byJoe Crowley
Succeeded byJim Himes
In office
January 3, 2001 – January 3, 2005
Preceded byCal Dooley
Jim Moran
Tim Roemer
Succeeded byEllen Tauscher
Personal details
Born
Ronald James Kind

(1963-03-16) March 16, 1963 (age 61)
La Crosse, Wisconsin, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse
Tawni Zappa
(m. 1994)
Children2
Residence(s)La Crosse, Wisconsin, U.S.
EducationHarvard University (AB)
London School of Economics
(MA)
University of Minnesota (JD)

Early life, education, and career edit

Kind was born and raised in La Crosse, the third of five children born to Greta and Elroy Kind. His is the fifth generation of his family to live in the area.[1] Kind's mother formerly worked as the assistant director of personnel in the La Crosse School District. His father had a 35-year career as a telephone repairman and union leader at the La Crosse Telephone Company.[1][non-primary source needed]

Kind attended La Crosse schools and was a student athlete at Logan High School in both football and basketball. He accepted a scholarship to Harvard College and graduated with honors in 1985. At Harvard, Kind played quarterback on the football team and worked during the summer for Wisconsin Senator William Proxmire in Washington. While working for Proxmire, he took part in investigations that helped determine the "winners" of the Golden Fleece Awards, presented by Proxmire to those responsible for government waste.[1][non-primary source needed]

Kind received a master's degree from the London School of Economics and a J.D. degree from the University of Minnesota Law School. He practiced law for two years at Quarles and Brady, a law firm in Milwaukee.[citation needed]

Kind returned to La Crosse to become an assistant district attorney. He later served as a state special prosecutor in several western Wisconsin counties.[1][non-primary source needed]

U.S. House of Representatives edit

Elections edit

While campaigning for an eighth term in Congress in 1994, Republican Representative Steve Gunderson announced that it would be his last.[2] Kind, then an assistant district attorney in La Crosse, moved quickly to set up a campaign operation. In April 1995, he took a leave of absence from the district attorney's office and by June he boasted an extensive campaign operation across the district.[3] In September 1995, Kind announced his candidacy.[4] A yearlong, five-way Democratic primary contest ensued; Kind won the September 1996 primary election with 46% of the vote.[5] In the general election, he faced Republican James Harsdorf, a former Wisconsin state senator. At the time of the 1996 election, only two Democrats had represented Wisconsin's 3rd congressional district during the 20th century and only one in the last 88 years; the election was hotly contested with national political figures appearing in support of both candidates. Kind's campaign attacked Harsdorf for his stated support for polarizing national Republican leaders such as Newt Gingrich and Dick Armey, and used it to link him to unpopular Republican policies such as cutting Medicare;[6] Harsdorf bashed Kind as "another lawyer running for Congress." Kind defeated Harsdorf with 52% of the vote.[5] He didn't face another contest nearly that close until 2010.

2006 edit

In 2006, Kind faced a surprise primary challenge from La Crosse activist Charles "Chip" DeNure, who ran unsuccessfully for mayor in 2001 and had flirted with several other mayoral campaigns. He challenged Kind over the Iraq War, with DeNure declaring his support for a timetable to withdraw American forces. DeNure also claimed the September 11 attacks were "an inside job by terrorists within the U.S. government."[7] Kind won 83% of the primary vote and went on to defeat Republican Paul R. Nelson with 65% of the vote in the general election.[8][9]

2010 edit

In late 2009, Kind considered running for governor of Wisconsin in 2010 but ultimately said that instead he would push in Congress for health care reform. Of his decision to run for reelection, Kind said: "My first responsibility must be to get affordable and accessible health care reform passed this year for all Wisconsin families. That is why I cannot run for governor. I have a responsibility and duty to the people of Wisconsin to continue work on the health care reform agenda ahead of us."[10] The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that he had given up on running for governor "after a poll showed that few Wisconsinites knew him."[11]

Amid the difficult and controversial passage of the Affordable Care Act and the Tea Party protests of 2009 and 2010, Wisconsin media described Kind as facing "what is widely considered his toughest re-election challenge." His Republican opponent, state senator Dan Kapanke, who represented much of the central portion of the district, "focused almost exclusively on three core Republican issues—less spending, lower taxes, and smaller government."[12] Kapanke also criticized Kind for allegedly soliciting thousands of dollars in 2007 from a group of Eau Claire doctors.[13] Despite a national Republican wave, which also saw Republicans win every statewide office in Wisconsin, Kind survived the challenge from Kapanke with just over 50% of the vote.[14]

2012 edit

There was talk that Kind might run for the U.S. Senate in 2012 to replace the retiring Herb Kohl, but he decided not to mount a primary challenge to fellow U.S. Representative Tammy Baldwin, who had already announced her candidacy.[15] There was also a push to draft Kind to run for governor against Scott Walker in the 2012 gubernatorial recall election.[16]

Kind ultimately decided to run for reelection to Congress. He faced retired U.S. Army Colonel Ray Boland in the November election and won with 64% of the vote.[17]

2016 edit

In 2016, seeking his 11th term in Congress, Kind faced a primary challenge from Eau Claire teacher Myron Buchholz. Buchholz was an outspoken supporter of U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, who had been defeated in the 2016 Democratic Party presidential primaries but had carried Kind's congressional district in the Wisconsin presidential primary. Kind said, "I think that people have gotten to know me. I will not apologize for trying to find common ground in divided government", and defended his support for the Trans-Pacific Partnership, an issue that was polarizing working-class voters.[18] Kind defeated Buchholz, 81% to 19%, in the primary, and faced no Republican challenger in the general election.[19][20]

2018 edit

In April 2017, The Hill reported that Kind was a "prime target" for Republicans in the 2018 elections.[21] The article cited a number of concerns for Kind, including that President Donald Trump had carried his district in the 2016 presidential election. The Cook Political Report also cited Kind's district as the 25th most Republican-trending district held by a Democrat. Kind was also facing criticism over the fact that a veteran who had died after taking an off-label mixture of pills prescribed to him by the Tomah VA had previously contacted Kind's congressional office.[21]

Kind also faced a potential primary challenge in 2018 from LGBTQ advocate Juliet Germanotta, who described herself as transgender, HIV positive, and a democratic socialist,[22] but in February 2018, she was charged on an outstanding warrant in New York City for the theft of a $4,800 ring.[23] Germanotta ultimately failed to gather enough signatures to appear on the primary ballot, and Kind avoided a primary.[24]

Despite Republican hopes for the district, Kind was easily reelected, defeating Republican Steve Toft with 59% of the vote.[25]

Tenure edit

Kind was the House Democrats' Chief Deputy Whip under Steny Hoyer. He was co-founder of both the Upper Mississippi River Congressional Caucus and the Congressional Wildlife Refuge Caucus, and chair of the New Democrat Coalition. He voted with his party 87% of the time in the 112th Congress and 94% of the time in the 111th Congress.[26] During the 114th Congress Kind was ranked the 19th most bipartisan member of the U.S. House of Representatives and the most bipartisan member of the House from Wisconsin in the Bipartisan Index created by The Lugar Center and the McCourt School of Public Policy. The index ranks members of Congress by bipartisanship by measuring how often their bills attract co-sponsors from the opposite party and how often they co-sponsor bills by members of the opposite party.[27]

After the failed effort to unseat Governor Scott Walker in a June 2012 recall election, Kind said that Democrats should be proud of forcing recall elections despite the outcome. He said that his conversations with voters had convinced him that the only reason that Democrats lost was that people didn't think it was a proper use of the recall process.[28]

Kind opposed Nancy Pelosi's bids for Speaker of the House in both 2006 and 2018. After winning control of the House in 2006, Pelosi asked Kind to resign from his position as Chief Deputy Whip.[29] In 2018, as Democrats were again poised to win a majority, he again noted his opposition, saying to The Hill: "I've been consistent in saying we're in desperate need of new leadership on both sides, as we move forward in the new Congress."[30] Kind followed through on his election pledge to oppose Pelosi and voted instead for Congressman John Lewis in the election for Speaker in 2019.[31]

On December 18, 2019, Kind voted for both articles of impeachment against President Trump.[32]

Agricultural issues edit

Representing some of the country's most productive dairy farms, Kind has for many years supported reforms to U.S. agricultural subsidy programs.[33] In 2007, he upset Democratic House leaders by co-sponsoring—with Republican congressman Jeff Flake—a bill that would have eliminated subsidies for those earning over $250,000 while increasing funding for conservation and rural development. At the time, the bill split the Democratic caucus, which had previously agreed to a similar bill which set the cutoff at $1,000,000—in order to placate rural farm-state Democrats. Pelosi, who had worked to make the original bill accommodating for those rural Democratic interests, was upset with Kind's proposal. Agricultural Committee Chairman Collin Peterson said Kind was "a lone ranger on this, and he's dividing the caucus, and I don't appreciate it."[34] Kind's proposal was ultimately referred to committee and never voted on.[35]

Childhood obesity edit

Kind and Colorado Senator Mark Udall introduced the Healthy Kids Outdoors Act, aimed at encouraging and supporting children's outdoor activities.[36][37] He has been the House sponsor of the FIT Kids Act for the last several House sessions. The act would require school districts to report on students' physical activity and to give youngsters health and nutritional information.[38]

In 2011, Kind wrote a piece about "the childhood obesity epidemic", in which he promoted both the FIT Kids Act and the Healthy Kids Outdoors Act. He said that healthy bodies lead to healthy minds, and that his FIT Kids Act would push parents and the public by requiring states and school districts to report on children's physical activity. As for the Healthy Kids Outdoors Act, it "provides state-level incentives to develop five-year state strategies to connect children, youth and families with nature and promote outdoor recreation in communities."[39]

Environment edit

 
Kind speaks at U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service opening ceremony

In October 2017, Kind announced a plan to protect the Mississippi River. It involved "four main parts: creating jobs by supporting recreation, tourism and navigation; maintaining railroad safety; supporting the Mississippi River Restoration Program; and promoting the 'Conservation on the Farm' bill".[40]

Gun control edit

During his 2012 campaign, Kind opposed any form of enhanced gun control, but after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting he seemed to be open to it, saying, "We're going to have to have a discussion while also keeping in mind the concerns of law-abiding, safety-conscious gun owners in America." He added, "I just don't see where armed guards or teachers with guns in our schools means freedom for our children."[41]

WIZM reported in February 2018 that Kind was one of a relatively small number of Democrats who had received contributions from the National Rifle Association. Since 2009, he had accepted $7,950 in from various NRA political action committees. He had also collected $5,400 from the Connecticut-based National Shooting Sports Foundation, which calls itself "The Firearms Industry Trade Association." The NRA endorsed Kind in 2010.[42]

Kind was one of two Democrats to vote against HR 1446: Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2021, designed to close the so-called Charleston loophole. Earlier he had voted in favor of HR 8: Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2021 to expand background checks on gun purchases. Both bills passed the House on March 11, 2021.[43]

In June 2022, Kind was the only Democrat to vote against a measure establishing AMBER Alert-like systems for active shooter events.[44] He again voted against the measure when it came up the following month and was again the only Democrat to do so.[45] In a statement, Kind said he is "concerned that a system like this could generate more chaos and cause armed civilians to rush to the scene, potentially interfering with law enforcement efforts."[46]

On July 29, 2022, Kind and four other Democrats joined the Republicans in voting against a bill banning assault weapons.[47]

Health care edit

Kind supported and voted for the Affordable Care Act, denying at a public event that insurers were canceling insurance. Rather, they were signing customers up "with new plans that are compliant with ACA." He insisted that under five percent of the population would lose their insurance under Obamacare and that most would "get a much better deal in the healthcare exchange—good price and much better benefits than what they were paying before." He added that young people are "probably going to get a real good deal" under Obamacare.[48]

Kind voted against the 2017 Republican health care bill. "I thought it was a bad piece of legislation," he said, "both in the process of how it came together and the impact it will have for people back home."[49]

Immigration edit

In October 2014, Kind said he supported "comprehensive immigration reform that secures our borders, helps our farmers and businesses meet their labor needs, and fairly addresses the millions of undocumented individuals in the shadows."[50] On October 20, 2017, Kind spoke up in defense of DACA, saying that Dreamers "are as American as anyone else's children."[51]

When then-presidential candidate Donald Trump called in 2015 for temporarily banning all Muslims from entering the United States, Kind said Trump was "playing in the same huddle as ISIS” and was making ISIS recruiting easier by playing into the terrorist group's narrative.[52]

In January 2017, Kind issued a statement in which he maintained that "President Trump's Executive Order blocking refugees and people from select Muslim countries from entering the United States does not reflect who we are as a nation. We cannot start discriminating based on religion. Instead of helping keep our country safe it will jeopardize our national security by giving ISIS and other terror groups another recruitment tool and making it harder for our allies in Muslim nations to work with us on counter-terrorism operations."[53]

Marijuana legalization edit

Kind has evolved on the issue of marijuana legalization. While running for reelection in 2014, he indicated his support for medical marijuana, but opposed "the full legalization of recreational marijuana." He also said, "Colorado and Washington State have taken the lead to decriminalize marijuana. We should watch those experiments closely before deciding to legalize recreational marijuana nationally."[50] When the House of Representatives considered a stand-alone bill for the legalization of marijuana in December 2020, Kind voted in favor.[54]

Taxation and retirement edit

In 2017, Kind rejected the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 as a rehash of failed trickle-down economics policies. He indicated he personally supported tax reform to simplify the tax code, but accused Republicans of blowing up the deficit in their rush to cut taxes for their corporate allies, saying the Republican plan would lead to future cuts to Medicare and Social Security and would not invigorate the economy.[51]

Kind was an early co-sponsor of the bipartisan SECURE Act of 2019, which contained a number of provisions to expand access to retirement planning options and to encourage employers to set up retirement plans for workers. The bill, originally introduced in late March 2019, was enacted in December 2019 as part of the fiscal year 2020 federal appropriations bill.[55]

Trade edit

Kind was the lone Wisconsin Democrat to support free trade with China, despite pressure from unions that claimed trade with China is costing jobs.[56][57]

The La Crosse Tribune reported in January 2014 that Kind was coming "under increasing criticism from those on the left who say his support of new free-trade agreements will kill jobs." For example, he urged fellow House members to vote for the Trans-Pacific Partnership—a comprehensive agreement with 11 other Pacific nations. At the Democratic National Convention, protesters criticized Kind for his support of the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal. "There's confusion; people are conflating trade with trade agreements", Kind insisted. "The trade that's going on absent trade agreements has not worked well for us: China, Brazil, India. We don't have trade agreements with those countries."[58] Ultimately, at Trump's direction, the U.S. withdrew from consideration of the TPP, and the remaining members consolidated the agreement into the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, which came into force in 2018, forming one of the largest trading blocs globally.[59]

Veterans issues edit

Kind announced in May 2014 that he would ask for the establishment of an independent bipartisan commission to investigate conditions at VA hospitals.[60]

War on Terrorism edit

On October 10, 2002, Kind voted for the Authorization to use military force against Iraq.[61] He later expressed regret for that vote, saying in 2008, "It was the wrong war at the wrong time for the wrong reason",[62] and in 2016, "My great regret is that if you look at the Iraq resolution that we had to vote on, there were multiple steps that had to be taken before the use of force. My great regret is realizing now that President Bush wasn't interested in those steps. He ordered the troops in when it wasn't a last resort."

In a January 2007 letter to President Bush, Kind and a dozen-odd other members of Congress wrote that success in Iraq "requires regional cooperation and positive engagement from all neighboring states. The history of the Middle East is too vast, too complex and too tumultuous to expect progress without an integrated diplomatic effort and multinational support from all of Iraq's neighbors. History is replete with centuries of marked violence and failed crusades, perpetrated by ignorance, arrogance and dogma."[63][64]

In September 2014, Kind said that he opposed "sending any military combat troops in order to deal with ISIS," but expressed support for President Obama's "decisions to use targeted airstrikes in Syria and Iraq to degrade and destroy ISIS, and to send service members to assist Iraqi and Kurdish forces with training and intelligence."[65]

Committee assignments edit

Caucus memberships edit

Retirement edit

Kind announced on August 10, 2021, that he would not seek re-election in 2022. Having won the 2020 general election by only about three percentage points, compared to a 20-point win in 2018, and facing a rematch with his 2020 Republican opponent (and ultimate successor) Derrick Van Orden, Kind told reporters, "I've run out of gas."[73]

Personal life edit

Kind and his wife, Tawni, live in La Crosse.[74] She is an official court reporter for the County Court system. They have two sons.[74]

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.[citation needed]

On February 6, 2023, Kind joined the law firm Arnold & Porter as a senior policy advisor.[75]

Kind was appointed an Honorary Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2023 Special Honours for services to UK/US relations.[76]

Controversies edit

Rangel ethics probe edit

In October 2009, The Hill profiled Kind, focusing on his challenge to "the Democratic status quo." While calling him "an influential voice on...ethics," The Hill also noted that Kind had refused to join in the effort that year to have Ways and Means Chairman Charles Rangel step down amid an ethics probe involving Rangel's taxes. "We're all ultimately human and none of us are perfect and we're all prone to mistakes from time to time", Kind said. "If that becomes that new standard--that any mistake is subject to dismissal or losing their position--then that's going to be a very tough standard for each and every member to have to live up to."[77]

Pay-for-talk controversy edit

In October 2010, two doctors at the OakLeaf Surgical Hospital in Eau Claire charged that Kind had demanded campaign donations before meeting them to discuss the Children's Health and Medical Protection Act. Kind denied the accusation. One of the accusers, a surgeon who requested anonymity, asserted in a sworn statement that a Kind aide explained that he "typically requires a contribution of $10,000 for a one to two-hour personal meeting and $25,000 for a half-day meeting."[78]

Electoral history edit

U.S. House (1996–2020) edit

Year Election Date Elected Defeated Total Plurality
1996 Primary[5] Sep. 10 Ron Kind Democratic 13,685 46.01% Lee Rasch Dem. 8,582 28.86% 29,741 5,103
Tim Bakken Dem. 5,370 18.06%
Mark Weinhold Dem. 1,108 3.73%
Joe Monahan Dem. 996 3.35%
General[5] Nov. 5 Ron Kind Democratic 121,967 52.10% James E. Harsdorf Rep. 112,146 47.90% 234,113 9,821
1998 General[79] Nov. 3 Ron Kind (inc) Democratic 128,256 71.55% Tony A. Brechler Rep. 51,001 28.45% 179,257 77,255
2000 General[80] Nov. 7 Ron Kind (inc) Democratic 173,505 63.74% Susan Tully Rep. 97,741 35.91% 271,246 75,764
2002 General[81] Nov. 5 Ron Kind (inc) Democratic 131,038 62.82% Bill Arndt Rep. 69,955 33.54% 208,581 61,083
Jeff Zastrow Lib. 6,674 3.20%
2004 General[82] Nov. 2 Ron Kind (inc) Democratic 204,856 56.43% Dale W. Schultz Rep. 157,866 43.49% 363,008 46,990
2006 Primary[8] Sep. 12 Ron Kind (inc) Democratic 39,765 83.66% Chip De Nure Dem. 7,744 16.29% 47,529 32,021
General[9] Nov. 7 Ron Kind (inc) Democratic 163,322 64.79% Paul R. Nelson Rep. 88,523 35.12% 252,087 74,799
2008 General[83] Nov. 4 Ron Kind (inc) Democratic 225,208 63.19% Paul Stark Rep. 122,760 34.44% 356,400 102,448
Kevin Barrett Lib. 8,236 2.31%
2010 General[14] Nov. 2 Ron Kind (inc) Democratic 126,380 50.28% Dan Kapanke Rep. 116,838 46.49% 251,340 9,542
Michael Krsiean Ind. 8,001 3.18%
2012 General[17] Nov. 6 Ron Kind (inc) Democratic 217,712 64.08% Ray Boland Rep. 121,713 35.82% 339,764 95,999
2014 General[84] Nov. 4 Ron Kind (inc) Democratic 155,368 56.46% Tony Kurtz Rep. 119,540 43.44% 275,161 35,828
Ken Van Doren (write-in) Ind. 128 0.05%
2016 Primary [19] Aug. 9 Ron Kind (inc) Democratic 33,320 81.24% Myron Buchholz Dem. 7,689 18.75% 41,016 25,631
General[20] Nov. 8 Ron Kind (inc) Democratic 257,401 98.86% Ryan Peterson (write-in) Rep. 169 0.06% 260,370 254,601
2018 General[25] Nov. 6 Ron Kind (inc) Democratic 187,888 59.65% Steve Toft Rep. 126,980 40.31% 314,989 60,908
2020 Primary[85] Aug. 11 Ron Kind (inc) Democratic 53,064 80.59% Mark Neumann Dem. 12,765 19.39% 65,841 40,299
General[86] Nov. 3 Ron Kind (inc) Democratic 199,870 51.30% Derrick Van Orden Rep. 189,524 48.64% 389,618 10,346

References edit

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  52. ^ Lindquist, Eric (December 15, 2015). "Kind rejects growing call for U.S. troops to fight IS". Eau Claire Leader-Telegram. Retrieved August 22, 2018.
  53. ^ Weigel, David (January 30, 2017). "Democratic lawmakers from states and districts won by Trump oppose travel ban". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 22, 2018.
  54. ^ "Roll Call 231 - Bill Number: H. Res. 1244". Clerk of the United States House of Representatives. December 3, 2020. Retrieved December 5, 2020.
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External links edit

Party political offices
Preceded by Chair of the New Democrat Coalition
2001–2005
Served alongside: Jim Davis, Adam Smith
Succeeded by
Preceded by Chair of the New Democrat Coalition
2013–2017
Succeeded by
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Wisconsin's 3rd congressional district

1997–2023
Succeeded by
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded byas Former US Representative Order of precedence of the United States
as Former US Representative
Succeeded byas Former US Representative

kind, ronald, james, kind, born, march, 1963, american, lawyer, politician, served, representative, wisconsin, congressional, district, from, 1997, 2023, member, democratic, party, former, district, western, wisconsin, anchored, crosse, claire, platteville, st. Ronald James Kind OBE born March 16 1963 is an American lawyer and politician who served as the U S representative for Wisconsin s 3rd congressional district from 1997 to 2023 He is a member of the Democratic Party His former district is in western Wisconsin anchored by La Crosse Eau Claire Platteville Stevens Point Wisconsin Rapids Prescott and River Falls Kind was the dean of Wisconsin s congressional delegation when he chose not to seek re election in 2022 Ron KindOBEMember of the U S House of Representatives from Wisconsin s 3rd districtIn office January 3 1997 January 3 2023Preceded bySteve GundersonSucceeded byDerrick Van OrdenChair of the New Democrat CoalitionIn office January 3 2013 January 3 2017Preceded byJoe CrowleySucceeded byJim HimesIn office January 3 2001 January 3 2005Preceded byCal DooleyJim MoranTim RoemerSucceeded byEllen TauscherPersonal detailsBornRonald James Kind 1963 03 16 March 16 1963 age 61 La Crosse Wisconsin U S Political partyDemocraticSpouseTawni Zappa m 1994 wbr Children2Residence s La Crosse Wisconsin U S EducationHarvard University AB London School of Economics MA University of Minnesota JD Ron Kind s voice source source Ron Kind honors deceased former representative Ellen TauscherRecorded May 14 2019 Contents 1 Early life education and career 2 U S House of Representatives 2 1 Elections 2 1 1 2006 2 1 2 2010 2 1 3 2012 2 1 4 2016 2 1 5 2018 2 2 Tenure 2 2 1 Agricultural issues 2 2 2 Childhood obesity 2 2 3 Environment 2 2 4 Gun control 2 2 5 Health care 2 2 6 Immigration 2 2 7 Marijuana legalization 2 2 8 Taxation and retirement 2 2 9 Trade 2 2 10 Veterans issues 2 2 11 War on Terrorism 2 3 Committee assignments 2 4 Caucus memberships 3 Retirement 4 Personal life 5 Controversies 5 1 Rangel ethics probe 5 2 Pay for talk controversy 6 Electoral history 6 1 U S House 1996 2020 7 References 8 External linksEarly life education and career editKind was born and raised in La Crosse the third of five children born to Greta and Elroy Kind His is the fifth generation of his family to live in the area 1 Kind s mother formerly worked as the assistant director of personnel in the La Crosse School District His father had a 35 year career as a telephone repairman and union leader at the La Crosse Telephone Company 1 non primary source needed Kind attended La Crosse schools and was a student athlete at Logan High School in both football and basketball He accepted a scholarship to Harvard College and graduated with honors in 1985 At Harvard Kind played quarterback on the football team and worked during the summer for Wisconsin Senator William Proxmire in Washington While working for Proxmire he took part in investigations that helped determine the winners of the Golden Fleece Awards presented by Proxmire to those responsible for government waste 1 non primary source needed Kind received a master s degree from the London School of Economics and a J D degree from the University of Minnesota Law School He practiced law for two years at Quarles and Brady a law firm in Milwaukee citation needed Kind returned to La Crosse to become an assistant district attorney He later served as a state special prosecutor in several western Wisconsin counties 1 non primary source needed U S House of Representatives editElections edit While campaigning for an eighth term in Congress in 1994 Republican Representative Steve Gunderson announced that it would be his last 2 Kind then an assistant district attorney in La Crosse moved quickly to set up a campaign operation In April 1995 he took a leave of absence from the district attorney s office and by June he boasted an extensive campaign operation across the district 3 In September 1995 Kind announced his candidacy 4 A yearlong five way Democratic primary contest ensued Kind won the September 1996 primary election with 46 of the vote 5 In the general election he faced Republican James Harsdorf a former Wisconsin state senator At the time of the 1996 election only two Democrats had represented Wisconsin s 3rd congressional district during the 20th century and only one in the last 88 years the election was hotly contested with national political figures appearing in support of both candidates Kind s campaign attacked Harsdorf for his stated support for polarizing national Republican leaders such as Newt Gingrich and Dick Armey and used it to link him to unpopular Republican policies such as cutting Medicare 6 Harsdorf bashed Kind as another lawyer running for Congress Kind defeated Harsdorf with 52 of the vote 5 He didn t face another contest nearly that close until 2010 2006 edit See also 2006 United States House of Representatives elections in Wisconsin District 3 In 2006 Kind faced a surprise primary challenge from La Crosse activist Charles Chip DeNure who ran unsuccessfully for mayor in 2001 and had flirted with several other mayoral campaigns He challenged Kind over the Iraq War with DeNure declaring his support for a timetable to withdraw American forces DeNure also claimed the September 11 attacks were an inside job by terrorists within the U S government 7 Kind won 83 of the primary vote and went on to defeat Republican Paul R Nelson with 65 of the vote in the general election 8 9 2010 edit See also 2010 United States House of Representatives elections in Wisconsin District 3 In late 2009 Kind considered running for governor of Wisconsin in 2010 but ultimately said that instead he would push in Congress for health care reform Of his decision to run for reelection Kind said My first responsibility must be to get affordable and accessible health care reform passed this year for all Wisconsin families That is why I cannot run for governor I have a responsibility and duty to the people of Wisconsin to continue work on the health care reform agenda ahead of us 10 The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that he had given up on running for governor after a poll showed that few Wisconsinites knew him 11 Amid the difficult and controversial passage of the Affordable Care Act and the Tea Party protests of 2009 and 2010 Wisconsin media described Kind as facing what is widely considered his toughest re election challenge His Republican opponent state senator Dan Kapanke who represented much of the central portion of the district focused almost exclusively on three core Republican issues less spending lower taxes and smaller government 12 Kapanke also criticized Kind for allegedly soliciting thousands of dollars in 2007 from a group of Eau Claire doctors 13 Despite a national Republican wave which also saw Republicans win every statewide office in Wisconsin Kind survived the challenge from Kapanke with just over 50 of the vote 14 2012 edit See also 2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Wisconsin District 3 There was talk that Kind might run for the U S Senate in 2012 to replace the retiring Herb Kohl but he decided not to mount a primary challenge to fellow U S Representative Tammy Baldwin who had already announced her candidacy 15 There was also a push to draft Kind to run for governor against Scott Walker in the 2012 gubernatorial recall election 16 Kind ultimately decided to run for reelection to Congress He faced retired U S Army Colonel Ray Boland in the November election and won with 64 of the vote 17 2016 edit See also 2016 United States House of Representatives elections in Wisconsin District 3 In 2016 seeking his 11th term in Congress Kind faced a primary challenge from Eau Claire teacher Myron Buchholz Buchholz was an outspoken supporter of U S Senator Bernie Sanders who had been defeated in the 2016 Democratic Party presidential primaries but had carried Kind s congressional district in the Wisconsin presidential primary Kind said I think that people have gotten to know me I will not apologize for trying to find common ground in divided government and defended his support for the Trans Pacific Partnership an issue that was polarizing working class voters 18 Kind defeated Buchholz 81 to 19 in the primary and faced no Republican challenger in the general election 19 20 2018 edit See also 2018 United States House of Representatives elections in Wisconsin District 3 In April 2017 The Hill reported that Kind was a prime target for Republicans in the 2018 elections 21 The article cited a number of concerns for Kind including that President Donald Trump had carried his district in the 2016 presidential election The Cook Political Report also cited Kind s district as the 25th most Republican trending district held by a Democrat Kind was also facing criticism over the fact that a veteran who had died after taking an off label mixture of pills prescribed to him by the Tomah VA had previously contacted Kind s congressional office 21 Kind also faced a potential primary challenge in 2018 from LGBTQ advocate Juliet Germanotta who described herself as transgender HIV positive and a democratic socialist 22 but in February 2018 she was charged on an outstanding warrant in New York City for the theft of a 4 800 ring 23 Germanotta ultimately failed to gather enough signatures to appear on the primary ballot and Kind avoided a primary 24 Despite Republican hopes for the district Kind was easily reelected defeating Republican Steve Toft with 59 of the vote 25 Tenure edit Kind was the House Democrats Chief Deputy Whip under Steny Hoyer He was co founder of both the Upper Mississippi River Congressional Caucus and the Congressional Wildlife Refuge Caucus and chair of the New Democrat Coalition He voted with his party 87 of the time in the 112th Congress and 94 of the time in the 111th Congress 26 During the 114th Congress Kind was ranked the 19th most bipartisan member of the U S House of Representatives and the most bipartisan member of the House from Wisconsin in the Bipartisan Index created by The Lugar Center and the McCourt School of Public Policy The index ranks members of Congress by bipartisanship by measuring how often their bills attract co sponsors from the opposite party and how often they co sponsor bills by members of the opposite party 27 After the failed effort to unseat Governor Scott Walker in a June 2012 recall election Kind said that Democrats should be proud of forcing recall elections despite the outcome He said that his conversations with voters had convinced him that the only reason that Democrats lost was that people didn t think it was a proper use of the recall process 28 Kind opposed Nancy Pelosi s bids for Speaker of the House in both 2006 and 2018 After winning control of the House in 2006 Pelosi asked Kind to resign from his position as Chief Deputy Whip 29 In 2018 as Democrats were again poised to win a majority he again noted his opposition saying to The Hill I ve been consistent in saying we re in desperate need of new leadership on both sides as we move forward in the new Congress 30 Kind followed through on his election pledge to oppose Pelosi and voted instead for Congressman John Lewis in the election for Speaker in 2019 31 On December 18 2019 Kind voted for both articles of impeachment against President Trump 32 Agricultural issues edit Representing some of the country s most productive dairy farms Kind has for many years supported reforms to U S agricultural subsidy programs 33 In 2007 he upset Democratic House leaders by co sponsoring with Republican congressman Jeff Flake a bill that would have eliminated subsidies for those earning over 250 000 while increasing funding for conservation and rural development At the time the bill split the Democratic caucus which had previously agreed to a similar bill which set the cutoff at 1 000 000 in order to placate rural farm state Democrats Pelosi who had worked to make the original bill accommodating for those rural Democratic interests was upset with Kind s proposal Agricultural Committee Chairman Collin Peterson said Kind was a lone ranger on this and he s dividing the caucus and I don t appreciate it 34 Kind s proposal was ultimately referred to committee and never voted on 35 Childhood obesity edit Kind and Colorado Senator Mark Udall introduced the Healthy Kids Outdoors Act aimed at encouraging and supporting children s outdoor activities 36 37 He has been the House sponsor of the FIT Kids Act for the last several House sessions The act would require school districts to report on students physical activity and to give youngsters health and nutritional information 38 In 2011 Kind wrote a piece about the childhood obesity epidemic in which he promoted both the FIT Kids Act and the Healthy Kids Outdoors Act He said that healthy bodies lead to healthy minds and that his FIT Kids Act would push parents and the public by requiring states and school districts to report on children s physical activity As for the Healthy Kids Outdoors Act it provides state level incentives to develop five year state strategies to connect children youth and families with nature and promote outdoor recreation in communities 39 Environment edit nbsp Kind speaks at U S Fish and Wildlife Service opening ceremony In October 2017 Kind announced a plan to protect the Mississippi River It involved four main parts creating jobs by supporting recreation tourism and navigation maintaining railroad safety supporting the Mississippi River Restoration Program and promoting the Conservation on the Farm bill 40 Gun control edit During his 2012 campaign Kind opposed any form of enhanced gun control but after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting he seemed to be open to it saying We re going to have to have a discussion while also keeping in mind the concerns of law abiding safety conscious gun owners in America He added I just don t see where armed guards or teachers with guns in our schools means freedom for our children 41 WIZM reported in February 2018 that Kind was one of a relatively small number of Democrats who had received contributions from the National Rifle Association Since 2009 he had accepted 7 950 in from various NRA political action committees He had also collected 5 400 from the Connecticut based National Shooting Sports Foundation which calls itself The Firearms Industry Trade Association The NRA endorsed Kind in 2010 42 Kind was one of two Democrats to vote against HR 1446 Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2021 designed to close the so called Charleston loophole Earlier he had voted in favor of HR 8 Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2021 to expand background checks on gun purchases Both bills passed the House on March 11 2021 43 In June 2022 Kind was the only Democrat to vote against a measure establishing AMBER Alert like systems for active shooter events 44 He again voted against the measure when it came up the following month and was again the only Democrat to do so 45 In a statement Kind said he is concerned that a system like this could generate more chaos and cause armed civilians to rush to the scene potentially interfering with law enforcement efforts 46 On July 29 2022 Kind and four other Democrats joined the Republicans in voting against a bill banning assault weapons 47 Health care edit Kind supported and voted for the Affordable Care Act denying at a public event that insurers were canceling insurance Rather they were signing customers up with new plans that are compliant with ACA He insisted that under five percent of the population would lose their insurance under Obamacare and that most would get a much better deal in the healthcare exchange good price and much better benefits than what they were paying before He added that young people are probably going to get a real good deal under Obamacare 48 Kind voted against the 2017 Republican health care bill I thought it was a bad piece of legislation he said both in the process of how it came together and the impact it will have for people back home 49 Immigration edit In October 2014 Kind said he supported comprehensive immigration reform that secures our borders helps our farmers and businesses meet their labor needs and fairly addresses the millions of undocumented individuals in the shadows 50 On October 20 2017 Kind spoke up in defense of DACA saying that Dreamers are as American as anyone else s children 51 When then presidential candidate Donald Trump called in 2015 for temporarily banning all Muslims from entering the United States Kind said Trump was playing in the same huddle as ISIS and was making ISIS recruiting easier by playing into the terrorist group s narrative 52 In January 2017 Kind issued a statement in which he maintained that President Trump s Executive Order blocking refugees and people from select Muslim countries from entering the United States does not reflect who we are as a nation We cannot start discriminating based on religion Instead of helping keep our country safe it will jeopardize our national security by giving ISIS and other terror groups another recruitment tool and making it harder for our allies in Muslim nations to work with us on counter terrorism operations 53 Marijuana legalization edit Kind has evolved on the issue of marijuana legalization While running for reelection in 2014 he indicated his support for medical marijuana but opposed the full legalization of recreational marijuana He also said Colorado and Washington State have taken the lead to decriminalize marijuana We should watch those experiments closely before deciding to legalize recreational marijuana nationally 50 When the House of Representatives considered a stand alone bill for the legalization of marijuana in December 2020 Kind voted in favor 54 Taxation and retirement edit In 2017 Kind rejected the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 as a rehash of failed trickle down economics policies He indicated he personally supported tax reform to simplify the tax code but accused Republicans of blowing up the deficit in their rush to cut taxes for their corporate allies saying the Republican plan would lead to future cuts to Medicare and Social Security and would not invigorate the economy 51 Kind was an early co sponsor of the bipartisan SECURE Act of 2019 which contained a number of provisions to expand access to retirement planning options and to encourage employers to set up retirement plans for workers The bill originally introduced in late March 2019 was enacted in December 2019 as part of the fiscal year 2020 federal appropriations bill 55 Trade edit Kind was the lone Wisconsin Democrat to support free trade with China despite pressure from unions that claimed trade with China is costing jobs 56 57 The La Crosse Tribune reported in January 2014 that Kind was coming under increasing criticism from those on the left who say his support of new free trade agreements will kill jobs For example he urged fellow House members to vote for the Trans Pacific Partnership a comprehensive agreement with 11 other Pacific nations At the Democratic National Convention protesters criticized Kind for his support of the Trans Pacific Partnership trade deal There s confusion people are conflating trade with trade agreements Kind insisted The trade that s going on absent trade agreements has not worked well for us China Brazil India We don t have trade agreements with those countries 58 Ultimately at Trump s direction the U S withdrew from consideration of the TPP and the remaining members consolidated the agreement into the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans Pacific Partnership which came into force in 2018 forming one of the largest trading blocs globally 59 Veterans issues edit Kind announced in May 2014 that he would ask for the establishment of an independent bipartisan commission to investigate conditions at VA hospitals 60 War on Terrorism edit On October 10 2002 Kind voted for the Authorization to use military force against Iraq 61 He later expressed regret for that vote saying in 2008 It was the wrong war at the wrong time for the wrong reason 62 and in 2016 My great regret is that if you look at the Iraq resolution that we had to vote on there were multiple steps that had to be taken before the use of force My great regret is realizing now that President Bush wasn t interested in those steps He ordered the troops in when it wasn t a last resort In a January 2007 letter to President Bush Kind and a dozen odd other members of Congress wrote that success in Iraq requires regional cooperation and positive engagement from all neighboring states The history of the Middle East is too vast too complex and too tumultuous to expect progress without an integrated diplomatic effort and multinational support from all of Iraq s neighbors History is replete with centuries of marked violence and failed crusades perpetrated by ignorance arrogance and dogma 63 64 In September 2014 Kind said that he opposed sending any military combat troops in order to deal with ISIS but expressed support for President Obama s decisions to use targeted airstrikes in Syria and Iraq to degrade and destroy ISIS and to send service members to assist Iraqi and Kurdish forces with training and intelligence 65 Committee assignments edit Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health Subcommittee on Trade Caucus memberships edit Congressional Wildlife Refuge Caucus United States Congressional International Conservation Caucus 66 Sportsmen s Caucus Upper Mississippi River Congressional Caucus Congressional Arts Caucus 67 Congressional United Kingdom Caucus 68 New Democrat Coalition 69 Congressional NextGen 9 1 1 Caucus 70 Climate Solutions Caucus 71 U S Japan Caucus 72 Retirement editKind announced on August 10 2021 that he would not seek re election in 2022 Having won the 2020 general election by only about three percentage points compared to a 20 point win in 2018 and facing a rematch with his 2020 Republican opponent and ultimate successor Derrick Van Orden Kind told reporters I ve run out of gas 73 Personal life editKind and his wife Tawni live in La Crosse 74 She is an official court reporter for the County Court system They have two sons 74 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 citation needed On February 6 2023 Kind joined the law firm Arnold amp Porter as a senior policy advisor 75 Kind was appointed an Honorary Officer of the Order of the British Empire OBE in the 2023 Special Honours for services to UK US relations 76 Controversies editRangel ethics probe edit In October 2009 The Hill profiled Kind focusing on his challenge to the Democratic status quo While calling him an influential voice on ethics The Hill also noted that Kind had refused to join in the effort that year to have Ways and Means Chairman Charles Rangel step down amid an ethics probe involving Rangel s taxes We re all ultimately human and none of us are perfect and we re all prone to mistakes from time to time Kind said If that becomes that new standard that any mistake is subject to dismissal or losing their position then that s going to be a very tough standard for each and every member to have to live up to 77 Pay for talk controversy edit In October 2010 two doctors at the OakLeaf Surgical Hospital in Eau Claire charged that Kind had demanded campaign donations before meeting them to discuss the Children s Health and Medical Protection Act Kind denied the accusation One of the accusers a surgeon who requested anonymity asserted in a sworn statement that a Kind aide explained that he typically requires a contribution of 10 000 for a one to two hour personal meeting and 25 000 for a half day meeting 78 Electoral history editU S House 1996 2020 edit Year Election Date Elected Defeated Total Plurality 1996 Primary 5 Sep 10 Ron Kind Democratic 13 685 46 01 Lee Rasch Dem 8 582 28 86 29 741 5 103 Tim Bakken Dem 5 370 18 06 Mark Weinhold Dem 1 108 3 73 Joe Monahan Dem 996 3 35 General 5 Nov 5 Ron Kind Democratic 121 967 52 10 James E Harsdorf Rep 112 146 47 90 234 113 9 821 1998 General 79 Nov 3 Ron Kind inc Democratic 128 256 71 55 Tony A Brechler Rep 51 001 28 45 179 257 77 255 2000 General 80 Nov 7 Ron Kind inc Democratic 173 505 63 74 Susan Tully Rep 97 741 35 91 271 246 75 764 2002 General 81 Nov 5 Ron Kind inc Democratic 131 038 62 82 Bill Arndt Rep 69 955 33 54 208 581 61 083 Jeff Zastrow Lib 6 674 3 20 2004 General 82 Nov 2 Ron Kind inc Democratic 204 856 56 43 Dale W Schultz Rep 157 866 43 49 363 008 46 990 2006 Primary 8 Sep 12 Ron Kind inc Democratic 39 765 83 66 Chip De Nure Dem 7 744 16 29 47 529 32 021 General 9 Nov 7 Ron Kind inc Democratic 163 322 64 79 Paul R Nelson Rep 88 523 35 12 252 087 74 799 2008 General 83 Nov 4 Ron Kind inc Democratic 225 208 63 19 Paul Stark Rep 122 760 34 44 356 400 102 448 Kevin Barrett Lib 8 236 2 31 2010 General 14 Nov 2 Ron Kind inc Democratic 126 380 50 28 Dan Kapanke Rep 116 838 46 49 251 340 9 542 Michael Krsiean Ind 8 001 3 18 2012 General 17 Nov 6 Ron Kind inc Democratic 217 712 64 08 Ray Boland Rep 121 713 35 82 339 764 95 999 2014 General 84 Nov 4 Ron Kind inc Democratic 155 368 56 46 Tony Kurtz Rep 119 540 43 44 275 161 35 828 Ken Van Doren write in Ind 128 0 05 2016 Primary 19 Aug 9 Ron Kind inc Democratic 33 320 81 24 Myron Buchholz Dem 7 689 18 75 41 016 25 631 General 20 Nov 8 Ron Kind inc Democratic 257 401 98 86 Ryan Peterson write in Rep 169 0 06 260 370 254 601 2018 General 25 Nov 6 Ron Kind inc Democratic 187 888 59 65 Steve Toft Rep 126 980 40 31 314 989 60 908 2020 Primary 85 Aug 11 Ron Kind inc Democratic 53 064 80 59 Mark Neumann Dem 12 765 19 39 65 841 40 299 General 86 Nov 3 Ron Kind inc Democratic 199 870 51 30 Derrick Van Orden Rep 189 524 48 64 389 618 10 346References edit a b c d US Representative Ron Kind Wisconsins Third Congressional District House gov 2009 02 27 Archived from the original on 2009 02 27 Retrieved 2012 08 25 Holtz Dan February 7 1994 Gunderson tries for eight Eau Claire Leader Telegram p 1 Retrieved December 4 2020 via Newspapers com Mial Richard June 14 1995 Many local politicians may run for seat in 96 La Crosse Tribune p B3 Retrieved December 4 2020 via Newspapers com Mial Richard September 27 1995 Prosecutor Kind to run for Congress La Crosse Tribune p C1 Retrieved December 4 2020 via Newspapers com a b c d Barish Lawrence S ed 1997 Elections State of Wisconsin 1997 1998 Blue Book Report State of Wisconsin pp 878 881 Retrieved December 3 2020 Rindfleish Terry October 24 1996 Harsdorf calls Kind s latest commercials shameful distortions La Crosse Tribune p C2 Retrieved December 4 2020 via Newspapers com Magney Reid September 7 2006 Kind s stance on war in Iraq inspires DeNure s campaign Coulee Courier Retrieved August 22 2018 a b Results of Fall Primary Election 09 12 2006 PDF Report Wisconsin State Elections Board October 17 2006 p 9 Retrieved December 3 2020 a b Results of Fall General Election 11 07 2006 PDF Report Wisconsin State Elections Board December 5 2006 p 4 Retrieved December 3 2020 Kind won t run for Wisconsin governor Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Associated Press September 24 2009 Retrieved August 22 2018 Umhoefer Dave September 24 2009 Eyes on Barrett as Kind opts out of governor s race Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Retrieved August 22 2018 Lindquist Eric October 24 2010 Kind s toughest challenge Eau Claire Leader Telegram Retrieved August 22 2018 Lindquist Eric Rep Kind wins tight contest Eau Claire Leader Telegram p A1 Retrieved December 3 2020 a b 2010 Fall General Election Results Summary PDF Report Wisconsin Government Accountability Board December 1 2010 p 3 Retrieved December 3 2020 Stewart Rebecca September 15 2011 Rep Ron Kind declines senate bid CNN Retrieved August 26 2012 Kind Obey avoid confirming recall petition signatures WXOW Archived from the original on April 18 2012 Retrieved August 26 2012 via Wayback Machine a b Canvass Results for 2012 Presidential and General Election 11 6 2012 PDF Report Wisconsin Government Accountability Board December 26 2012 p 3 Retrieved December 3 2020 Bergquist Lee July 24 2016 Election 2016 Ron Kind faces challenge in August Democratic primary Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Retrieved December 4 2020 a b Canvass Results for 2016 Partisan Primary 8 9 2016 PDF Report Wisconsin Government Accountability Board September 30 2016 p 3 Retrieved December 3 2020 a b Canvass Results for 2016 General Election 11 8 2016 PDF Report Wisconsin Elections Commission December 22 2016 p 3 Retrieved December 3 2020 a b Kamisar Ben April 27 2017 Lawmakers targeted as district politics shift The Hill Retrieved August 22 2018 Tighe Mike November 18 2017 Kind challenger vows new ideas La Crosse Tribune p B1 Retrieved December 4 2020 via Newspapers com Potential Ron Kind challenger will be extradited to New York to face larceny charge La Crosse Tribune February 14 2018 Retrieved December 4 2020 No primary for Kind or GOP challenger Toft The Chippewa Herald June 4 2018 Retrieved December 4 2020 a b Canvass Results for 2018 General Election 11 6 2018 PDF Report Wisconsin Elections Commission February 22 2019 p 4 Retrieved December 3 2020 The U S Congress Votes Database Ron Kind D The Washington Post Archived from the original on August 3 2012 Retrieved December 4 2020 via Wayback Machine The Lugar Center McCourt School Bipartisan Index 114th Congress PDF The Lugar Center March 7 2016 Retrieved April 30 2017 US Rep Ron Kind applauds Dems for recall efforts La Crosse Tribune Appleton Wisconsin June 8 2012 Retrieved December 4 2020 Hearn Josephine December 7 2006 Kind loses whip place on new team The Hill Retrieved December 5 2020 Lillis Mike November 28 2018 Another Dem to oppose Pelosi The Hill Retrieved December 1 2018 McPherson Lindsey January 3 2019 Pelosi elected speaker with 15 Democratic defections Roll Call Retrieved December 4 2020 Panetta Grace December 18 2019 WHIP COUNT Here s which members of the House voted for and against impeaching Trump Business Insider Retrieved December 4 2020 Hubbuch Chris January 27 2012 Rep Ron Kind to eye crop subsidy reform La Crosse Tribune Retrieved August 27 2012 Davis Julie July 25 2007 Farm bill spurs split in Dem s ranks Bangor Daily News Retrieved December 4 2020 via Newspapers com H R 2720 Food and Agriculture Risk Management for the 21st Century Act of 2007 Congress gov 11 September 2007 Retrieved December 4 2020 Ostfeld Jackie August 8 2014 Time to Create an ECHO Across America Every Child Healthy Outdoors Huffington Post Retrieved December 4 2020 Healthy Kids Outdoors Act Supports Strategies to Connect Kids with Nature Izaak Walton League November 3 2011 Archived from the original on September 6 2015 Retrieved December 4 2020 via Wayback Machine Players push for passage of FIT Kids Act ESPN Associated Press March 19 2009 Retrieved August 24 2012 Kind Rep Ron February 7 2012 Halting the childhood obesity epidemic requires support of many communities The Hill Retrieved August 24 2012 U S Rep Ron Kind unveils plan to protect Mississippi River WKBT TV 18 October 2017 Retrieved 27 August 2018 Hubbuch Chris January 10 2013 Walz Kind weigh in on gun rights school safety Winona Daily News Retrieved August 22 2018 La Crosse s Ron Kind among the recipients of gun lobby contributions WIZM February 19 2018 Archived from the original on March 2 2018 Retrieved August 22 2018 via Wayback Machine Conradis Brandon 11 March 2021 The eight Republicans who voted to tighten background checks on guns TheHill Retrieved March 12 2021 House Resolution 6538 Roll Call 289 Jun 22 2022 22 June 2022 House Resolution 6538 Roll Call 307 Jul 13 2022 Andrea Lawrence July 14 2022 Ron Kind only Democrat to vote against Active Shooter Alert Act wary of more chaos Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Retrieved July 15 2022 Lee Ella 30 July 2022 Who are the 7 House members who broke with their party in voting on assault weapons ban USA Today Retrieved 30 July 2022 Lyon Barbara November 6 2013 Kind Health care reform can work The Chippewa Herald Retrieved August 27 2018 Cuevas Jason May 9 2017 Kind Health care bill a bad piece of legislation Juneau Star Times Retrieved August 27 2018 a b Kurtz Kind answer questions La Crosse Tribune Associated Press October 12 2014 Retrieved August 27 2018 a b U S Rep Ron Kind Discusses Taxes Healthcare Immigration Wisconsin Public Television October 20 2017 Retrieved August 27 2018 Lindquist Eric December 15 2015 Kind rejects growing call for U S troops to fight IS Eau Claire Leader Telegram Retrieved August 22 2018 Weigel David January 30 2017 Democratic lawmakers from states and districts won by Trump oppose travel ban The Washington Post Retrieved August 22 2018 Roll Call 231 Bill Number H Res 1244 Clerk of the United States House of Representatives December 3 2020 Retrieved December 5 2020 O Brien Elizabeth December 19 2019 Congress Just Passed the Biggest Retirement Bill in More Than a Decade Here s What You Need to Know Money Retrieved December 29 2019 Ron Kind Wisconsin 2012 election center Archived from the original on June 29 2012 Retrieved August 23 2012 via Wayback Machine Wisconsin House Ron Kind On the Issues Retrieved August 23 2012 Sommerhauser Mark July 27 2016 At national convention Ron Kind faces flack on TPP Wisconsin State Journal Retrieved August 22 2018 Ming Cheang March 9 2018 Global trade just had a one step forward one step back day CNBC Retrieved December 5 2020 Tighe Mike May 28 2014 Kind mad as hell wants bipartisan panel to probe VA La Crosse Tribune Retrieved August 29 2018 H J Res 114 107th Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 GovTrack October 10 2002 Retrieved December 4 2020 Hubbuch Chris October 30 2008 CAMPAIGN PROFILE Ron Kind La Crosse Tribune Retrieved August 27 2018 Hay Brown Matthew 13 January 2007 Gilchrest calls on Bush to open talks The Baltimore Sun Retrieved August 27 2018 Berman Rep Howard December 21 2007 Rep Berman Calls on President Bush to Increase the International Affairs Budget United States House of Representatives Press release Archived from the original on March 1 2008 Retrieved August 27 2018 via Wayback Machine Rep Ron Kind Statement on the Obama Administration s ISIS Strategy Office of Congressman Ron Kind Press release Washington D C September 11 2014 Retrieved August 29 2018 Our Members U S House of Representatives International Conservation Caucus Retrieved 2 August 2018 Membership Congressional Arts Caucus Retrieved 21 March 2018 Members US Congressional United Kingdom UK Caucus Members New Democrat Coalition Retrieved 6 February 2018 Members Congressional NextGen 9 1 1 Caucus Retrieved 8 June 2018 90 Current Climate Solutions Caucus Members Citizen s Climate Lobby Retrieved 20 October 2018 Members U S Japan Caucus Retrieved 11 December 2018 Rep Ron Kind announces retirement in boon to GOP s House hopes Politico 10 August 2021 Retrieved 2023 07 30 a b About Congressman Ron Kind U S House of Representatives Office of Congressman Ron Kind 3 December 2012 Retrieved 2020 11 25 Former US Representative Ron Kind Joins Arnold amp Porter s Legislative amp Public Policy Practice as Senior Policy Advisor Arnold amp Porter 6 February 2023 Retrieved 17 February 2023 Honorary awards to foreign nationals in 2023 Gov UK 2023 Crabtree Susan 27 October 2009 Killing them with Kind ness Rep Kind uses diplomacy to challenge leaders The Hill Retrieved 27 August 2018 Bice Daniel Political mystery unfolds in western Wisconsin Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Retrieved 27 August 2018 Barish Lawrence S Meloy Patricia E eds 1999 Elections State of Wisconsin 1999 2000 Blue Book Report State of Wisconsin p 862 Retrieved December 3 2020 Results of Fall General Election 11 07 2000 PDF Report Wisconsin State Elections Board May 10 2001 p 3 Retrieved December 3 2020 Results of Fall General Election 11 05 2002 PDF Report Wisconsin State Elections Board December 2 2002 p 4 Retrieved December 3 2020 Results of Fall General Election 11 02 2004 PDF Report Wisconsin State Elections Board December 1 2004 p 3 Retrieved December 3 2020 Results of Fall General Election 11 04 2008 PDF Report Wisconsin State Elections Board December 1 2008 p 3 Retrieved December 3 2020 Canvass Results for 2014 General Election 11 4 2014 PDF Report Wisconsin Government Accountability Board November 26 2014 p 3 Retrieved December 3 2020 Canvass Results for 2020 Partisan Primary 8 11 2020 PDF Report Wisconsin Government Accountability Board August 26 2020 p 2 Retrieved December 3 2020 Canvass Results for 2020 General Election 11 3 2020 PDF Report Wisconsin Elections Commission November 18 2020 p 2 Retrieved December 3 2020 External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ron Kind Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress Financial information federal office at the Federal Election Commission Legislation sponsored at the Library of Congress Profile at Vote Smart Ron Kind at Curlie Appearances on C SPAN Profile at the Democratic Party of Wisconsin archived Party political offices Preceded byCal DooleyJim MoranTim Roemer Chair of the New Democrat Coalition2001 2005 Served alongside Jim Davis Adam Smith Succeeded byEllen Tauscher Preceded byJoe Crowley Chair of the New Democrat Coalition2013 2017 Succeeded byJim Himes U S House of Representatives Preceded bySteve Gunderson Member of the U S House of Representativesfrom Wisconsin s 3rd congressional district1997 2023 Succeeded byDerrick Van Orden U S order of precedence ceremonial Preceded byKevin Bradyas Former US Representative Order of precedence of the United Statesas Former US Representative Succeeded byElton Galleglyas Former US Representative Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Ron Kind amp oldid 1219180018, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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