Tim Cullen (Wisconsin)
Timothy F. Cullen is a former Democratic member of Wisconsin State Senate, representing District 15 from 2010 to 2015. He previously served in the chamber from 1974 to 1987. During his earlier tenure in the Senate, Cullen was the Senate Majority Leader in 1981, 1983 and 1985.
On September 6, 2013, Cullen announced that he would not seek re-election in the 2014 elections.[1]
Cullen died on December 24, 2024.[2]
Biography
Cullen graduated with a B.S. from the University of Wisconsin - Whitewater.
In between his terms in the Senate, Cullen served as the Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Health and Human Services from 1987 to 1988, and Vice President/Senior Vice President with Blue Cross/Blue Shield from 1988 to 2007. He also served on the Janesville City Council from 1970 to 1971.
Cullen served in the U.S. Army Reserve.[3]
Committee assignments
2013-2014
At the beginning of the 2013 legislative session, Cullen served on the following committees:
| Wisconsin committee assignments, 2013 |
|---|
| • Education |
| • Insurance and Housing |
2011-2012
At the beginning of the 2011 legislative session, Cullen served on the following committees:
Issues
Legislative walkout
Cullen and the 13 other Democratic senators participated in a legislative walkout on February 17, 2011, in opposition to Assembly Bill 11 - a Republican-sponsored bill aimed at limiting collective bargaining rights, compensation and fringe benefits of public employees.[4] The Democratic departure left the Senate one vote shy of a quorum. Reports confirmed the senators fled to a hotel in Rockford, Illinois.[5] State police were dispatched by Governor Scott Walker (R) to retrieve the senators, but were unable to cross state lines.[6] The 14 state senators who left the state were described as the "Badger 14" or "Fab 14."[7]
On February 22, speaking from the basement of an Illinois hotel, Senate Minority Leader Mark Miller provided the minority response to Gov. Scott Walker, saying, "The governor has the tools at his disposal to put this issue to an end. As soon as he is willing to take a compromise, we will go back to work in an instant." Miller stated that the legislators paid for the trip themselves, and that no taxpayer money was spent.[8]
Walker called on the Democratic senators to return to the state by March 1 in order to vote to restructure the state's debt. If they did not, he stated he may have to start cutting state jobs, saying:
"It’s not just a number, it’s not just a budget, it’s ultimately a real person with a real family, so I’m going to push that back as far as I can. We’ve got to have real numbers to balance the budget to avoid layoffs. My hope is those 14 state senators … realize that in the end, it’s much better off to avoid those cuts, it’s much better off to avoid the most dire consequences that will come if we don’t pass this bill."[9]
The Democratic senators said they would not return until the governor was willing to compromise on the budget-repair bill.
Democrats threatened with arrest
Republicans passed a unanimous resolution on March 3 finding the missing legislators in contempt and threatening them with arrest. It gave them until 4 p.m. to return or the sergeant-at-arms was ordered to take "any and all necessary steps, with or without force, and with or without the assistance of law enforcement, by warrant or other legal process, as he may deem necessary in order to bring that senator to the Senate chambers."[10]
The constitutionality of that resolution was unclear, however, as the Wisconsin Constitution only allows for the arrest of legislators while in session if they are suspected of committing a felony, treason, or breach of the peace. Jim Palmer, executive director of the Wisconsin Professional Police Association, said the resolution was an "unreasonable abuse of police power."[11]
Sen. Jon Erpenbach provided the Democratic response, stating, "All 14 of us remain in Illinois, very strong in our convictions. Issuing arrest warrants at 4 p.m. isn't going to solve the problem. This is a debate about protection of the middle class in Wisconsin; that is what the Republicans should be focusing on."[10]
The move by Republicans came the day after they issued fines of $100 a day for not showing up at the Capitol, along with taking away parking spaces.[12] The week before Republicans also passed a rule suspending direct-deposit of paychecks. Sen. Erpenbach found a way around this by granting power of attorney to two of his aides, giving them power to, among other things, pick up his paycheck. In the end Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald mailed the check to Erpenbach.[13]
Meeting and possible compromises
On March 7, Democratic leader Sen. Mark Miller sent a letter to the governor and Senate majority leader asking for a meeting near the Wisconsin-Illinois border to restart talks on the collective bargaining issue.[14] Gov. Walker responded at a press conference, calling the letter "ridiculous," and saying that several meetings between the two sides have taken place, but that Miller has stood in the way of a compromise.[15]
Sen. Chris Larson said, "Dems will return when collective bargaining is off the table. That could be soon based on the growing public opposition to the bill and the recall efforts against Republicans."[16]
On March 8, the Governor's office released an email exchange dated March 6 between Eric Schutt, Walker's deputy chief of staff, and Democratic Senators Cullen and Jauch. The exchange discusses possible compromises on the bill, including allowing unions to bargain for wages beyond inflation rates, permitting collective-bargaining on certain economic issues, allowing public workers to collectively bargain workplace safety issues, and limiting collective bargaining agreements to 2 years or less.[17]
Senate passes bill
On March 9, the Wisconsin State Senate approved Act 10, which included changes to the collective bargaining rights of public-sector workers. Republicans passed the bill by a vote of 18-1, with Sen. Dale Schultz (R) voting against it. Democrats, who had absented themselves in order to prevent the Senate from meeting its 20-member quorum, were not present to vote on the legislation.[18]
On May 26, 2011, Dane County Court Judge Maryann Sumi issued a stay against the law on the grounds that the legislative process had violated the state's open meetings law. The state Departments of Justice and Department of Administration appealed the decision to the Wisconsin Supreme Court. On June 14, the Wisconsin Supreme Court overruled the lower court's decision, stating it "exceeded its jurisdiction, invaded the legislature’s constitutional powers...and erred in enjoining the publication and further implementation of the act."[18]
Recall campaigns
In the wake of events surrounding the bill, both Democratic and Republican senators were targeted by active recall campaigns. Recall sponsors filed signatures on petitions targeting six Republican state senators and three Democratic state senators. Challenges were filed in all nine of those campaigns, and the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board approved the six campaigns against Republicans at meetings on May 23 and May 31, and approved the three campaigns against Democrats on June 8. Democrats held onto the 30th District seat on July 19. Republicans lost two seats in the August 9 recalls, but held onto four. Two incumbent Democrats successfully retained their seats on August 16.
Temporary departure from Democratic caucus
On July 24, 2012, one week after Democrats gained the majority in the state Senate, Cullen quit the Democratic caucus after newly named Majority Leader Mark Miller did not give him chairmanship on a committee with clout. Cullen, who had been offered chair of the Committee on Small Business Development and Tourism called it "an insult to my district" and said he might leave the party altogether to become an independent.[19]
Cullen said the move was "intended to send me a message that I am not welcome and that he can treat me however he wants to and that somehow I am supposed to take it."[20]
Three days later Cullen rejoined the caucus, receiving the chairmanship of two new committees and a leadership position on two others. At a news conference he stated, "I thank Sen. Miller for sticking with this and resolving it. I'm very pleased with these committee assignments. They fit with all the big issues I'm up here to work on."[21][21]
Elections
2012
- See also: Scott Walker recall, Wisconsin (2012)
Cullen ran for Wisconsin Governor in the recall election against incumbent Gov. Scott Walker.
Cullen said of his candidacy, "I think I would be a very serious opponent for Gov. Walker to have to face, because of my record, my career, my view of how government how to operate (sic) around here."[22]
However, on February 1, 2012, Cullen said he was withdrawing from the race, citing fundraising issues and the negative nature of the recall.[23]
2010
- See also: Wisconsin State Senate elections, 2010
Cullen was unopposed in the primary election on September 14, 2010. He defeated his opponent in the November 2 general election, Republican Rick Richard. [24][25]
| Wisconsin State Senate, District 15 (2010) General Election
During the campaign, he limited contributions to $250 per person. [26] | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | Percent | ||
 Tim Cullen (D)
|
31,918 | 58.98% | ||
| Rick Richard (R) | 22,181 | 40.99% | ||
| Wisconsin Senate, District 15 Democratic Primary (2010) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | Percent | ||
| Tim Cullen (D)
|
6,034 | 99.95% | ||
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
Personal
Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Cullen and his wife have two children and four stepchildren.
Scorecards
A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.
Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.
Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of Wisconsin scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.
2014
In 2014, the Wisconsin State Legislature was in session from January 14 through June 4.
- Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce: 2013-2014 voting record
- Legislators are scored on whether they voted for or against MMAC's position.
- National Federation of Independent Business in Wisconsin: 2013-2014 legislative voting record
- Legislators are scored on their votes on small business issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to labor policy.
- Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters: 2013-2014 scorecard
- Legislators are scored on their stances on conservation issues.
- Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce: 2013-2014 voting record
- Legislators are scored on their votes on legislation WMC deemed as "most important issues for the business community."
- Wisconsin Professional Police Association: 2013-2014 report card
- Legislators are scored on their votes by the Wisconsin Professional Police Association on legislation related to Wisconsin's law enforcement community.
- Wisconsin Sierra Club: 2013-2014 scorecard
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental issues.
2013
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2013, click [show]. |
|---|
|
In 2013, the Wisconsin State Legislature was in session from January 7 to December 31.
|
2012
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2012, click [show]. |
|---|
|
In 2012, the Wisconsin State Legislature was in session from January 10 through March 16.
|
Recent news
This section links to a Google news search for the term "Tim + Cullen + Wisconsin + Senate"
See also
- Wisconsin State Legislature
- Wisconsin State Senate
- Wisconsin State Senate Committees
- Wisconsin Joint Committees
- Wisconsin state legislative districts
External links
- Profile from Open States
- Tim Cullen's biography on Project Vote Smart
- Campaign contributions: 2012, 2010
- Campaign website
- Cullen on Facebook
Footnotes
- ↑ Wisconsin State Journal, "Tim Cullen to retire from state Senate," September 6, 2013
- ↑ Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Tim Cullen, former Wisconsin state senator and civil rights advocate, dies," December 24, 2024
- ↑ Project Vote Smart.org, "Senator Tim Cullen biography," May 27, 2011
- ↑ Wisconsin.gov, "ASSEMBLY BILL 11," accessed February 17, 2011
- ↑ Green Bay Press Gazette, "Wisconsin Democrats flee to Clock Tower Hotel in Rockford, Ill., to block anti-union bill," February 17, 2011
- ↑ Bloomberg Businessweek, "Senator: Missing Wis. lawmakers left the state," February 17, 2011
- ↑ Facebook, "Fab 14," accessed May 5, 2014
- ↑ WISN, "State Sen. Minority Leader Responds to Walker," February 22, 2010
- ↑ Christian Science Monitor, "Wisconsin governor to missing senators: Come back or I'll lay off 1,500," February 28, 2011
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Wall Street Journal, "Pressure Mounts on Absent Democrats in Wisconsin, Indiana," March 3, 2011
- ↑ Wisconsin State Journal, "Senate orders arrest of missing Democrats," March 3, 2011
- ↑ My Fox Chicago, "Wisconsin GOP Slaps Missing Dems With $100 Daily Fines," March 2, 2011 (dead link)
- ↑ Talking Points Memo, "AWOL Wisconsin Dem Beats The System, Gets His Paycheck Mailed To Him," March 3, 2011
- ↑ New York Times, "Wisconsin Democrats Urge New Talks on Labor Bill," March 7, 2011
- ↑ CNN, "Wisconsin gov: Democratic senator's border meeting idea 'ridiculous'," March 7, 2011
- ↑ Talking Points Memo, "Wisconsin Dems Deny WSJ Report Of Imminent Return," March 6, 2011
- ↑ CNN, "E-mails: Wisconsin governor offers concessions on budget bill," March 8, 2011
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 Wisconsin State Journal, "Front pages from historic Scott Walker protests," February 11, 2016
- ↑ Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Cullen quits Senate Democratic caucus," July 24, 2012
- ↑ NBC 15, "Sen. Cullen Leaves Democratic Caucus," July 24, 2012
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 Wisconsin State Journal, "Cullen rejoins Democratic caucus after getting committee chairmanships," July 27, 2012
- ↑ Wisconsin State Journal, "On Politics: Sen. Cullen mulls a recall run against Gov. Walker," December 2, 2011
- ↑ The Cap Times, "Capitol Report: Sen. Cullen says he won't run for governor," February 1, 2012
- ↑ Wisconsin Government Accountability Board, "Official 2010 Primary election results," accessed April 25, 2014
- ↑ Wisconsin Government Accountability Board, "Official 2010 General election results," accessed April 25, 2014
- ↑ [Personal Interview 1/12/11]
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Judy Robson (D) |
Wisconsin State Senate District 15 2011-2015 |
Succeeded by Janis Ringhand (D) |
