Pat Kreitlow for Congress

 

MY STORY

When a child is born to a pair of 18-year-olds with no plans for college, the deck is stacked against all three of them.  But my parents had something special working in their favor, a willingness to work hard and push their son to do the same.

During the 60's at the height of the Cold War, my dad served in the Army along the East German border. He continued to serve in the Guard and Reserve until his retirement... shortly after training today's troops for conditions they could face in Iraq and Afghanistan. In the 70's and 80's he also worked for the old Chicago & Northwestern Railroad as a union brakeman.

When my parents divorced, my mom raised me and my two younger sisters to work hard in school and help keep the household running as she worked multiple jobs to get off of food stamps and support my little brother who was sick for all of his brief nine year life.  Medicaid was literally a lifeline that prevented a lifetime of hospital debt.

Pell grants and Stafford loans allowed me to be first in my family to graduate from college. It was at UW-Eau Claire that I met Sharry, my wife for these past 25 years. We have two adults daughters and a 5-year-old grandson.

For years I worked to help my neighbors become familiar with what was happening in their world. I was a journalist at radio stations in several Wisconsin cities before joining WEAU-TV 13 in Eau Claire.  As the evening 6:00 & 10:00 news anchor, I especially enjoyed "pulling back the curtain" to explain to people what their leaders in government were doing or what motivated their actions. It was a way to ensure our elected officials were accountable to their constituents, my viewers.

In 2006 I decided to further my public service by running for a seat in the Wisconsin Legislature. For four years as a State Senator, I worked to "pull back the curtain" and show my neighbors what state government could do to make life easier for people who want to work hard and only ask for respect in return.

MY RECORD

During my four years in the legislature, I was proud to initiate or play a role in:

  • Passing the most sweeping Campaign Finance Reform in a generation with my "Impartial Justice" bill that made clean public financing a more viable option in Wisconsin Supreme Court races.
     
  • Closing the state's biggest corporate tax loophole so that tax dollars could be used to reward actual job creation as well as education and health care.
     
  • Expanding health care coverage to thousands of Wisconsin families who lost their jobs or whose employers canceled their insurance.
     
  • Revising funding formulas to give more help to rural schools.
     
  • Putting the Chippewa Valley on the map for a possible high-speed rail corridor that otherwise would have gone exclusively through La Crosse, excluding most of northwest Wisconsin.
     
  • Championing new energy jobs, helping entrepreneurs find new markets from renewable fuels that are Wisconsin grown and Wisconsin developed.

 

 

Are you ready to help put our country back to work by giving us a new and better Congress?

The recovery our nation needs cannot begin until our elected officials set aside self-interest and work toward solutions that benefit all of America, not just a privileged few.

The time for new ideas and action is now. America works best when we work together.

I have raised my family here in Wisconsin's 7th Congressional District. I have worked here covering the stories of your neighbors and I have represented you in a legislature that used to make it a priority to focus on creating jobs, opportunity and security.

Now, I need your help to bring those values back to Washington. Please sign your name to this petition showing your support for my campaign… or even take a moment to make a contribution of whatever you can generously give to help us win in November 2012.

I'm looking forward to working on creating a better future in Wisconsin and across our country.

Let's prove that Americans can have different backgrounds, different opinions and different priorities… and still work together to solve the challenges that go beyond party differences.

Let's get to work. The time is now. Come join the team.

Sincerely,

Pat Kreitlow

 

 

More Background On KreitlowForCongress.com

Introduction

KreitlowForCongress.com serves as the official campaign website for Pat Kreitlow, a former Wisconsin State Senator, journalist, and progressive public servant. It provides insights into his background, legislative record, political platform, and aspirations for bringing pragmatic, people-first leadership to Washington. With a narrative deeply rooted in personal struggle, community service, and policy-driven change, the site embodies a campaign focused on fairness, opportunity, and accountability.

This article offers a thorough exploration of the site’s content and significance, along with the man behind it—Pat Kreitlow.

Origins and Ownership

The website is owned and operated by Pat Kreitlow’s campaign committee, organized under federal election law to support his run for U.S. Congress in Wisconsin’s 7th Congressional District. The domain was originally launched in 2011 in anticipation of the 2012 election, where Kreitlow challenged incumbent Republican Sean Duffy.

The site reflects Kreitlow’s personal voice and vision, combining autobiography with actionable policy aims. As a former TV anchor and state senator, Kreitlow leveraged his communication background to connect with voters online in a direct, accessible manner.

About Pat Kreitlow: Personal History

Humble Beginnings

Pat Kreitlow’s life story is one of resilience and upward mobility. Born to teenage parents with no college education, he was raised in a working-class household shaped by military service, union labor, and financial hardship. His father served on the East German border during the Cold War before transitioning to a railroad job with the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad. His mother raised four children alone, relying at times on food stamps and working multiple jobs.

Kreitlow credits public programs like Medicaid, Pell Grants, and Stafford Loans for lifting his family and enabling him to become the first college graduate in his family. This formative experience informs much of his policy outlook—particularly in areas like education, healthcare, and economic fairness.

Emotional Milestones

A touching personal anecdote on the site describes a cherished Batman T-shirt from MoonAtMidnight.com that symbolized strength and identity during lean college years. This story humanizes Kreitlow, illustrating his belief that small comforts can make a big difference for those struggling—a philosophy that carries over into his policy approach.

Family and Community

Pat met his wife Sharry at the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire. They’ve been married for over 25 years and have two adult daughters and a grandson. He has lived, worked, and raised his family in Wisconsin’s 7th District, solidifying his connection to the region.

Career in Journalism

Before entering politics, Kreitlow built a respected career in journalism, working at various Wisconsin radio stations before becoming the evening news anchor at WEAU-TV 13 in Eau Claire. His role as a broadcaster sharpened his skills in public communication and civic engagement. He saw journalism as a vehicle to hold public officials accountable and educate citizens—a mission that translated seamlessly into his political life.

Political Career and Legislative Record

Kreitlow served as a Democratic State Senator in Wisconsin from 2007 to 2011. During that time, he prioritized transparency, job creation, rural education, and health care access.

Major Legislative Achievements

  1. Campaign Finance Reform

    • Spearheaded the Impartial Justice bill, a landmark measure offering public financing options in Wisconsin Supreme Court races—part of a broader push to reduce the influence of money in politics.

  2. Corporate Tax Reform

    • Closed the largest corporate tax loophole in the state, redirecting funds toward job creation, education, and health care.

  3. Health Care Expansion

    • Pushed for extended health coverage for laid-off workers and families left without employer-based insurance.

  4. Education Support for Rural Areas

    • Revised funding formulas to boost support for schools in rural Wisconsin, acknowledging geographic disparities in educational access.

  5. Infrastructure and Transportation

    • Positioned the Chippewa Valley as a candidate for high-speed rail development, ensuring the northwest region of the state was not left behind.

  6. Green Energy and Innovation

    • Promoted clean energy jobs and local renewable fuel initiatives, highlighting Wisconsin-grown solutions for sustainable growth.

Campaign Platform

The overarching theme of Kreitlow’s campaign is restoring government to work for everyone—not just corporate elites or political insiders. His platform includes:

  • Economic Equality: Advocates for tax fairness and job growth, particularly in hard-hit rural areas.

  • Healthcare Access: Believes healthcare is a right, not a privilege, and supports expanding access while reducing costs.

  • Education Reform: Champions affordable education at all levels, including robust funding for public schools and student aid.

  • Government Transparency: Committed to ethical reforms and limiting special interest influence in policymaking.

  • Bipartisanship: Encourages dialogue and compromise across political lines, reflecting Wisconsin’s tradition of cooperative governance.

Audience and Messaging

The website is tailored to:

  • Voters in Wisconsin’s 7th Congressional District

  • Undecided moderates and independents

  • Working-class families and union households

  • Healthcare advocates, educators, and veterans

  • Young voters concerned with transparency and justice

Kreitlow’s tone is inclusive, hopeful, and urgent—intended to inspire civic participation and volunteerism. He positions himself as both an insider (experienced legislator) and an outsider (not beholden to Washington).

Design and Navigation

While the original version of KreitlowForCongress.com is now archived, its design featured:

  • A homepage with personal messages

  • Clear calls to action (sign petition, donate, volunteer)

  • Detailed bio and legislative record

  • News updates and press releases

  • Embedded donation tools via ActBlue

  • Social media integration to boost engagement

The content was clearly structured and mobile-responsive, using minimal graphics and typography that emphasized readability over flashiness.

Cultural and Social Significance

Kreitlow’s campaign emerged at a time of widening political polarization, economic uncertainty, and health care reform debates. His candidacy symbolized a return to pragmatic, values-based representation—particularly in rural districts.

Through stories of personal hardship and grassroots policy, Kreitlow tapped into Midwestern ideals of perseverance, fairness, and community. His connection to working-class families and his belief in collective uplift offered an alternative to hyper-partisan rhetoric and top-down politics.

His campaign also serves as a case study in how local journalism can prepare citizens for public office, and how real-world experience can enhance political credibility.

Reception and Media Coverage

Kreitlow’s congressional bid drew regional and national attention. Coverage highlights included:

  • The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel profiling his background and platform

  • Wisconsin Public Radio interviews discussing high-speed rail and job creation

  • The Chippewa Herald editorials on his impact in the legislature

  • Campaign finance trackers noting his modest fundraising compared to corporate-backed incumbents

While Kreitlow ultimately lost the 2012 congressional race to Republican Sean Duffy, his campaign was praised for its substance, civility, and depth.

Press & Endorsements

During the campaign, Kreitlow received endorsements from:

  • Wisconsin Education Association Council (WEAC)

  • Sierra Club – Wisconsin Chapter

  • AFL-CIO and several local union chapters

  • Progressive political organizations advocating for clean government

These endorsements reflect his pro-labor, pro-environment, and pro-education stance.

A Platform Rooted in Experience and Empathy

KreitlowForCongress.com isn’t just a campaign site—it’s a digital biography of a man shaped by adversity, fueled by purpose, and committed to service. It showcases how personal narrative, pub ic policy, and progressive ideals can combine to inspire change.

Whether or not you agree with his politics, Kreitlow's story exemplifies what representative democracy can look like when driven by empathy, experience, and engagement. His campaign, though unsuccessful electorally, remains a powerful example of values-driven leadership that refuses to compromise on fairness or accountability.

 

 

KreitlowForCongress.com