Former Wisconsin AG and FDL Native Peg Lautenschlager Dies

Fond du Lac native and
former state representative and Wisconsin Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager
has died. She was 62 years old. The news was first announced by Representative
Gordon Hintz of Oshkosh who issued a news release this morning. Hintz wrote “It
was with great sadness that I learned of the passing of my friend, Peg
Lautenschlager. Peg was a friend, mentor and an inspiring public servant who
never lost sight of her advocacy for the people.  Her strength, tenacity,
and kindness were evident in her nearly 30 years of public service. She worked
tirelessly for the people of northeast Wisconsin and then all of Wisconsin and
championed our values.”

Lautenschlager
was elected as the first female Attorney General in Wisconsin history in 2002
and was most recently appointed as the commissioner of the newly formed Ethics
Commission in 2016, from which she later resigned. Her more than 30-year career
also included stints as the District Attorney in Winnebago County and as the US
Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin. She also served in the State
Assembly from 1989 until 1993.

Democratic
Party of Wisconsin Chair Martha Laning said in a statement: “Today we say farewell today to one of Wisconsin’s most
dedicated grassroots progressives, for whom no work was too small or too big in
her fight for justice, fairness and opportunity for all Wisconsinites. With
great intellect, humor and compassion, Peg Lautenschlager served her neighbors,
her home community of Fond du Lac and all of our state as our first woman to be
elected Attorney General.”

Senate Minority
Leader Jennifer Shilling said in a statement ““It is with a heavy heart
that I learned of the passing of Peg. She was a trailblazer for many women in
Wisconsin politics, a loyal friend and true blue Democrat. Peg was a trusted
political mentor to many and was always willing to lend her insight, advice and
enthusiasm to friends and family across the state.

“Peg served her community and
state well, from her time as Winnebago District Attorney to her most recent
position as Chair of the Wisconsin Ethics Commission. Peg loved good policy,
better outcomes, great stories and spending time in the company of her many
friends and family. My deepest condolences to her husband Bill and their
children.”

 

Governor
Scott Walker also issued a statement about Lautenschlager’s death, saying “Tonette and I are saddened
to learn of the passing of Peg Lautenschlager. She was a dedicated and
passionate public servant who became the first woman elected to serve as
attorney general in Wisconsin history. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her
family during this time.”

Attorney General Brad Schimel released the following statement today after learning about the passing of former Wisconsin Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager.

 

“I did not know Peg well but many of the team members at the Wisconsin Department of Justice did, so I have learned more about her. Peg was passionate about her beliefs, cared deeply about her colleagues, and adored her family. I appreciate her many decades of public service and commitment to Wisconsin. She hired many of the fine public servants who now work at DOJ on behalf of the people of Wisconsin and her dedication lives on through their daily work.

 

“My sympathies and prayers go out to Peg’s family, friends, and colleagues.”

 

KFIZ News
will have more on this story throughout the day.