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Ron Kind

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ron Kind
Member of theU.S. House of Representatives
fromWisconsin's3rddistrict
In office
January 3, 1997 – January 3, 2023
Preceded bySteve Gunderson
Succeeded byDerrick Van Orden
Chair of theNew 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)

Ronald James KindOBE(born March 16, 1963) is an American lawyer and politician who served as theU.S. representativeforWisconsin's 3rd congressional districtfrom 1997 to 2023. He is a member of theDemocratic Party.His former district is in western Wisconsin, anchored byLa Crosse,Eau Claire,Platteville,Stevens Point,Wisconsin Rapids,Prescott,andRiver Falls.Kind was the dean ofWisconsin's congressional delegationwhen he chose not to seek re-election in 2022.

Early life, education, and career

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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 atLogan High Schoolin both football and basketball. He accepted ascholarshiptoHarvard Collegeand graduated with honors in 1985. At Harvard, Kind played quarterback on the football team and worked during the summer for Wisconsin SenatorWilliam Proxmirein Washington. While working for Proxmire, he took part in investigations that helped determine the "winners" of theGolden Fleece Awards,presented by Proxmire to those responsible for government waste.[1][non-primary source needed]

Kind received a master's degree from theLondon School of Economicsand aJ.D.degree from theUniversity of Minnesota Law School.He practiced law for two years atQuarles and Brady,a law firm inMilwaukee.[citation needed]

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

U.S. House of Representatives

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Elections

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While campaigning for an eighth term in Congress in 1994, Republican RepresentativeSteve Gundersonannounced 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 RepublicanJames Harsdorf,a formerWisconsin 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 asNewt GingrichandDick Armey,and used it to link him to unpopular Republican policies such as cuttingMedicare;[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

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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 theIraq War,with DeNure declaring his support for a timetable to withdraw American forces. DeNure also claimed theSeptember 11 attackswere "aninside jobby terrorists within the U.S. government. "[7]Kind won 83% of the primary vote and went on to defeat RepublicanPaul R. Nelsonwith 65% of the vote in the general election.[8][9]

2010

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In late 2009, Kind considered running forgovernor of Wisconsinin2010but 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]TheMilwaukee Journal Sentinelreported 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 theAffordable Care Actand theTea Party protestsof 2009 and 2010, Wisconsin media described Kind as facing "what is widely considered his toughest re-election challenge." His Republican opponent, state senatorDan 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 ofEau Clairedoctors.[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

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There was talk that Kind might run for theU.S. Senatein 2012 to replace the retiringHerb Kohl,but he decided not to mount a primary challenge to fellow U.S. RepresentativeTammy Baldwin,who had already announced her candidacy.[15]There was also a push to draft Kind to run for governor againstScott Walkerin the2012 gubernatorial recall election.[16]

Kind ultimately decided to run for reelection to Congress. He faced retiredU.S. ArmyColonelRay Bolandin the November election and won with 64% of the vote.[17]

2016

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In 2016, seeking his 11th term in Congress, Kind faced aprimary challengefrom Eau Claire teacher Myron Buchholz. Buchholz was an outspoken supporter of U.S. SenatorBernie Sanders,who had been defeated in the2016 Democratic Party presidential primariesbut had carried Kind's congressional district in theWisconsin 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 theTrans-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

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In April 2017,The Hillreported that Kind was a "prime target" for Republicans in the 2018 elections.[21]The article cited a number of concerns for Kind, including that PresidentDonald Trumphad carried his district in the2016 presidential election.The Cook Political Reportalso cited Kind's district as the 25th most Republican-trending district held by a Democrat. Kind was also facing criticism over the fact that aveteranwho had died after taking anoff-labelmixture of pills prescribed to him by theTomahVA 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 astransgender,HIVpositive, and ademocratic socialist,[22]but in February 2018, she was charged on an outstanding warrant inNew York Cityfor 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

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Kind was the House Democrats' Chief DeputyWhipunderSteny Hoyer.He was co-founder of both the Upper Mississippi River Congressional Caucus and theCongressional Wildlife Refuge Caucus,and chair of theNew Democrat Coalition.He voted with his party 87% of the time in the112th Congressand 94% of the time in the111th Congress.[26]During the114th CongressKind 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 byThe Lugar Centerand theMcCourt 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 2012recall 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 opposedNancy 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 toThe 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 CongressmanJohn Lewisin theelection for Speakerin 2019.[31]

On December 18, 2019, Kind voted for botharticles of impeachmentagainst President Trump.[32]

Agricultural issues

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Representing some of the country's most productivedairyfarms, Kind has for many years supported reforms to U.S.agricultural subsidyprograms.[33]In 2007, he upset Democratic House leaders by co-sponsoring—with Republican congressmanJeff Flake—a bill that would have eliminated subsidies for those earning over $250,000 while increasing funding for conservation andrural 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 CommitteeChairmanCollin Petersonsaid 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

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Kind and Colorado SenatorMark Udallintroduced 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

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

In October 2017, Kind announced a plan to protect theMississippi 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

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During his 2012 campaign, Kind opposed any form of enhancedgun control,but after theSandy Hook Elementary School shootinghe 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]

WIZMreported in February 2018 that Kind was one of a relatively small number of Democrats who had received contributions from theNational Rifle Association.Since 2009, he had accepted $7,950 in from various NRApolitical action committees.He had also collected $5,400 from the Connecticut-basedNational 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 againstHR 1446: Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2021,designed to close the so-calledCharleston 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

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Kind supported and voted for theAffordable 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 the2017 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

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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 ofDACA,saying that Dreamers "are as American as anyone else's children."[51]

When then-presidential candidateDonald Trumpcalled in 2015 fortemporarily banningall 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

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Kind has evolved on the issue ofmarijuanalegalization. While running for reelection in 2014, he indicated his support formedical marijuana,but opposed "the fulllegalization 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

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In 2017, Kind rejected theTax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017as a rehash of failedtrickle-down economicspolicies. 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 bipartisanSECURE 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 year2020 federal appropriations bill.[55]

Trade

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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]

TheLa Crosse Tribunereported in January 2014 that Kind was coming "under increasing criticism from those on the left who say his support of newfree-trade agreementswill kill jobs. "For example, he urged fellow House members to vote for theTrans-Pacific Partnership—a comprehensive agreement with 11 other Pacific nations. At theDemocratic 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 theComprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership,which came into force in 2018, forming one of the largest trading blocs globally.[59]

Veterans issues

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

War on Terrorism

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On October 10, 2002, Kind voted for theAuthorization 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 withISIS,"but expressed support for President Obama's" decisions to use targeted airstrikes inSyriaand Iraq to degrade and destroy ISIS, and to sendservice membersto assist Iraqi andKurdishforces with training and intelligence. "[65]

Committee assignments

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Caucus memberships

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Retirement

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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

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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 theBoys and Girls Club,and the La CrosseYMCA.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 firmArnold & Porteras a senior policy advisor.[75]

Kind was appointed anHonorary Officer of the Order of the British Empire(OBE) in the2023 Special Honoursfor services to UK/US relations.[76]

Controversies

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Rangel ethics probe

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In October 2009,The Hillprofiled Kind, focusing on his challenge to "the Democratic status quo." While calling him "an influential voice on...ethics,"The Hillalso noted that Kind had refused to join in the effort that year to haveWays and MeansChairmanCharles Rangelstep 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

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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

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U.S. House (1996–2020)

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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

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  1. ^abcd"US Representative Ron Kind - Wisconsins Third Congressional District".House.gov. 2009-02-27. Archived fromthe originalon 2009-02-27.Retrieved2012-08-25.
  2. ^Holtz, Dan (February 7, 1994)."Gunderson tries for eight".Eau Claire Leader-Telegram.p. 1.RetrievedDecember 4,2020– viaNewspapers.com.
  3. ^Mial, Richard (June 14, 1995)."Many local politicians may run for seat in '96".La Crosse Tribune.p. B3.RetrievedDecember 4,2020– viaNewspapers.com.
  4. ^Mial, Richard (September 27, 1995)."Prosecutor Kind to run for Congress".La Crosse Tribune.p. C1.RetrievedDecember 4,2020– viaNewspapers.com.
  5. ^abcdBarish, Lawrence S., ed. (1997)."Elections".State of Wisconsin 1997-1998 Blue Book (Report). State of Wisconsin. pp. 878, 881.RetrievedDecember 3,2020.
  6. ^Rindfleish, Terry (October 24, 1996)."Harsdorf calls Kind's latest commercials 'shameful distortions'".La Crosse Tribune.p. C2.RetrievedDecember 4,2020– viaNewspapers.com.
  7. ^Magney, Reid (September 7, 2006)."Kind's stance on war in Iraq inspires DeNure's campaign".Coulee Courier.RetrievedAugust 22,2018.
  8. ^abResults of Fall Primary Election - 09/12/2006(PDF)(Report). Wisconsin State Elections Board. October 17, 2006. p. 9.RetrievedDecember 3,2020.
  9. ^abResults of Fall General Election - 11/07/2006(PDF)(Report). Wisconsin State Elections Board. December 5, 2006. p. 4.RetrievedDecember 3,2020.
  10. ^"Kind won't run for Wisconsin governor".Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.Associated Press.September 24, 2009.RetrievedAugust 22,2018.
  11. ^Umhoefer, Dave (September 24, 2009)."Eyes on Barrett as Kind opts out of governor's race".Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.RetrievedAugust 22,2018.
  12. ^Lindquist, Eric (October 24, 2010)."Kind's toughest challenge".Eau Claire Leader-Telegram.RetrievedAugust 22,2018.
  13. ^Lindquist, Eric."Rep. Kind wins tight contest".Eau Claire Leader-Telegram.p. A1.RetrievedDecember 3,2020.
  14. ^ab2010 Fall General Election Results Summary(PDF)(Report).Wisconsin Government Accountability Board.December 1, 2010. p. 3.RetrievedDecember 3,2020.
  15. ^Stewart, Rebecca (September 15, 2011)."Rep. Ron Kind declines senate bid".CNN.RetrievedAugust 26,2012.
  16. ^"Kind, Obey avoid confirming recall petition signatures".WXOW.Archived fromthe originalon April 18, 2012.RetrievedAugust 26,2012– viaWayback Machine.
  17. ^abCanvass Results for 2012 Presidential and General Election - 11/6/2012(PDF)(Report).Wisconsin Government Accountability Board.December 26, 2012. p. 3.RetrievedDecember 3,2020.
  18. ^Bergquist, Lee (July 24, 2016)."Election 2016: Ron Kind faces challenge in August Democratic primary".Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.RetrievedDecember 4,2020.
  19. ^abCanvass Results for 2016 Partisan Primary - 8/9/2016(PDF)(Report).Wisconsin Government Accountability Board.September 30, 2016. p. 3.RetrievedDecember 3,2020.
  20. ^abCanvass Results for 2016 General Election - 11/8/2016(PDF)(Report).Wisconsin Elections Commission.December 22, 2016. p. 3.RetrievedDecember 3,2020.
  21. ^abKamisar, Ben (April 27, 2017)."Lawmakers targeted as district politics shift".The Hill.RetrievedAugust 22,2018.
  22. ^Tighe, Mike (November 18, 2017)."Kind challenger vows new ideas".La Crosse Tribune.p. B1.RetrievedDecember 4,2020– viaNewspapers.com.
  23. ^"Potential Ron Kind challenger will be extradited to New York to face larceny charge".La Crosse Tribune.February 14, 2018.RetrievedDecember 4,2020.
  24. ^"No primary for Kind or GOP challenger Toft".The Chippewa Herald.June 4, 2018.RetrievedDecember 4,2020.
  25. ^abCanvass Results for 2018 General Election - 11/6/2018(PDF)(Report).Wisconsin Elections Commission.February 22, 2019. p. 4.RetrievedDecember 3,2020.
  26. ^"The U.S. Congress Votes Database - Ron Kind (D)".The Washington Post.Archived fromthe originalon August 3, 2012.RetrievedDecember 4,2020– viaWayback Machine.
  27. ^"The Lugar Center - McCourt School Bipartisan Index - 114th Congress"(PDF).The Lugar Center.March 7, 2016.RetrievedApril 30,2017.
  28. ^"US Rep. Ron Kind applauds Dems for recall efforts".La Crosse Tribune.Appleton, Wisconsin.June 8, 2012.RetrievedDecember 4,2020.
  29. ^Hearn, Josephine (December 7, 2006)."Kind loses whip place on new team".The Hill.RetrievedDecember 5,2020.
  30. ^Lillis, Mike (November 28, 2018)."Another Dem to oppose Pelosi".The Hill.RetrievedDecember 1,2018.
  31. ^McPherson, Lindsey (January 3, 2019)."Pelosi elected speaker with 15 Democratic defections".Roll Call.RetrievedDecember 4,2020.
  32. ^Panetta, Grace (December 18, 2019)."WHIP COUNT: Here's which members of the House voted for and against impeaching Trump".Business Insider.RetrievedDecember 4,2020.
  33. ^Hubbuch, Chris (January 27, 2012)."Rep. Ron Kind to eye crop subsidy reform".La Crosse Tribune.RetrievedAugust 27,2012.
  34. ^Davis, Julie (July 25, 2007)."Farm bill spurs split in Dem's ranks".Bangor Daily News.RetrievedDecember 4,2020– viaNewspapers.com.
  35. ^"H.R.2720 - Food and Agriculture Risk Management for the 21st Century Act of 2007".Congress.gov.11 September 2007.RetrievedDecember 4,2020.
  36. ^Ostfeld, Jackie (August 8, 2014)."Time to Create an ECHO Across America: Every Child Healthy Outdoors".Huffington Post.RetrievedDecember 4,2020.
  37. ^"Healthy Kids Outdoors Act Supports Strategies to Connect Kids with Nature".Izaak Walton League.November 3, 2011. Archived fromthe originalon September 6, 2015.RetrievedDecember 4,2020– viaWayback Machine.
  38. ^"Players push for passage of FIT Kids Act".ESPN.Associated Press.March 19, 2009.RetrievedAugust 24,2012.
  39. ^Kind, Rep. Ron (February 7, 2012)."Halting the childhood obesity epidemic requires support of many communities".The Hill.RetrievedAugust 24,2012.
  40. ^"U.S. Rep. Ron Kind unveils plan to protect Mississippi River".WKBT-TV.18 October 2017.Retrieved27 August2018.
  41. ^Hubbuch, Chris (January 10, 2013)."Walz, Kind weigh in on gun rights, school safety".Winona Daily News.RetrievedAugust 22,2018.
  42. ^"La Crosse's Ron Kind among the recipients of gun lobby contributions".WIZM.February 19, 2018. Archived fromthe originalon March 2, 2018.RetrievedAugust 22,2018– viaWayback Machine.
  43. ^Conradis, Brandon (11 March 2021)."The eight Republicans who voted to tighten background checks on guns".TheHill.RetrievedMarch 12,2021.
  44. ^"House Resolution 6538 Roll Call 289 -- Jun 22, 2022".22 June 2022.
  45. ^"House Resolution 6538 Roll Call 307 -- Jul 13, 2022".
  46. ^Andrea, Lawrence (July 14, 2022)."Ron Kind only Democrat to vote against Active Shooter Alert Act, wary of 'more chaos'".Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.RetrievedJuly 15,2022.
  47. ^Lee, Ella (30 July 2022)."Who are the 7 House members who broke with their party in voting on assault weapons ban?".USA Today.Retrieved30 July2022.
  48. ^Lyon, Barbara (November 6, 2013)."Kind: Health care reform can work".The Chippewa Herald.RetrievedAugust 27,2018.
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[edit]
Party political offices
Preceded by Chair of theNew Democrat Coalition
2001–2005
Served alongside:Jim Davis,Adam Smith
Succeeded by
Preceded by Chair of theNew Democrat Coalition
2013–2017
Succeeded by
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of theU.S. House of Representatives
fromWisconsin'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