John Gard

Gard was born in Milwaukee, but was raised on his family's dairy farm in rural Lena, Wisconsin.[2] He graduated from Lena High School and went on to earn his bachelor's degree in political science from University of Wisconsin–La Crosse in 1986.[1] Gard went to work as a legislative assistant to State Representative David Prosser Jr.[1]

Just a year after going to work for Prosser, at age 23, Gard made his first attempt at elected office in a 1987 special election called to replace Richard P. Matty, who was being appointed to the administration of Governor Tommy Thompson.[3] He ran his campaign out of his parent's farm, assisted by the volunteer efforts of his parents and seven siblings.[2] In September, Gard prevailed in a crowded seven-person Republican primary, which included Marinette County district attorney Tim Duket and Marinette Mayor Harold Pierce.[4][5] During the 1987 campaign, Gard declared his opposition to pending legislation which would mandate seat belt use.[6] In the October special election, he narrowly defeated Democrat Charles J. Boyle.[5]

Gard was sworn in on October 12, 1987, at Lena High School. The location was intended to accommodate his ailing grandfather, who could not travel to Madison. Gard's grandfather died, however, on the morning of the swearing-in ceremony.[7] At the time of his swearing-in, Gard was the youngest member of the Wisconsin Legislature.[7]

In 1990, Gard faced his closest election, surviving by a margin of just 45 votes after a recount.[8] Following the 1990 election, state redistricting removed Gard from the 88th district and placed him in the 89th district. After redistricting, Gard easily won a rematch with his 1990 opponent, Scott McCormick,[9] and subsequently won reelection to six more terms representing the 89th Assembly district.

Following the indictment of Scott Jensen in Fall 2002, the Assembly Republican caucus elected Gard the next Speaker of the Wisconsin State Assembly.[10] He served as speaker for the 96th and 97th Wisconsin Legislatures.

Since leaving office, Gard has operated as a lobbyist to the state government. He and his wife co-own the Gard Business Group, through which they provide their lobbying services.[16] Among other clients, Gard has lobbied on behalf of Amazon.com and Google in the 2017, 2019, and 2021 sessions of the Wisconsin Legislature.

Gard was also influential on behalf of Mike Gallagher in the 2016 Republican primary for the 8th congressional district. Gard was an outspoken surrogate for Gallagher and worked to raise funds for his campaign; he described Gallagher as a close family friend and likened him to a "young Paul Ryan."[17]

In 2020, in an emotional, overwrought op-ed, Gard inserted himself into the debate over athletes kneeling as a form of silent protest against racism. Recalling the debate over state funding for Lambeau Field renovations in 2000, Gard asserted that the Green Bay Packers were disrespecting their community and ruining the franchise for fans like him.[18]

Gard is one of 8 children born to Herbert and Dixie Gard. In 1990, he married fellow state representative Cathy Zeuske. Zeuske was also elected to the Assembly in her early 20s and would later go on to serve as the 31st State Treasurer of Wisconsin and 9th Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Revenue. They have two adult children and reside in Suamico, Wisconsin.[19]

• Profile at Vote Smart
• Financial information (federal office) at the Federal Election Commission
• Appearances on C-SPAN
• Gard Business Group
• Eye on Lobbying - John Gard (Wisconsin Ethics Commission)
  • 2013–2014 2015–2016 2017–2018 2019–2020 2021–2022