{{Short description|American politician (born 1963)}} {{Infobox officeholder | honorific_prefix = | name = John Gard | honorific_suffix = | caption = | image = | alt = | order = 75th | office = Speaker of the Wisconsin Assembly | term_start = January 6, 2003 | term_end = January 3, 2007 | predecessor = Scott Jensen | successor = Michael Huebsch | office1 = {{nowrap|Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly}} | constituency1 = 89th district | term_start1 = January 4, 1993 | term_end1 = January 3, 2007 | predecessor1 = Cletus J. Vanderperren | successor1 = John Nygren | constituency2 = 88th district | term_start2 = October 12, 1987 | term_end2 = January 4, 1993 | predecessor2 = Richard P. Matty | successor2 = Rosemary Hinkfuss | party = Republican | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1963|8|3}} | birth_place = Milwaukee, Wisconsin | spouse = {{marriage|Cathy Zeuske|1990}} | children = 2 | alma_mater = University of Wisconsin–La Crosse (B.A.) }}
'''John G. Gard''' (born August 3, 1963) is an American lobbyist and former politician. A Republican, he was the 75th Speaker of the Wisconsin State Assembly (2003–2007) and was a member of the Assembly for 19 years.<ref name="wihist">{{cite web|url= https://wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Article/CS8007 |title= Gard, John 1963 |website= Wisconsin Historical Society |date= 8 August 2017 |accessdate= January 9, 2021 }}</ref> Gard also ran unsuccessfully for United States House of Representatives in Wisconsin's 8th congressional district in 2006 and 2008, losing both elections to Democrat Steve Kagen.
Gard is married to Cathy Zeuske, a former state treasurer of Wisconsin and former secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Revenue.
==Early life and career== Gard was born in Milwaukee, but was raised on his family's dairy farm in rural Lena, Wisconsin.<ref name="work">{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/clip/67243410/gard-elected/ |title= There's work to be done, says new area legislator |newspaper= Green Bay Press-Gazette |date= October 11, 1987 |first= Becky |last= Bruehl Bestul |accessdate= January 9, 2021 |via= Newspapers.com }}</ref> 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.<ref name="wihist"/> Gard went to work as a legislative assistant to State Representative David Prosser Jr.<ref name="wihist"/>
==Political career== 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.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/clip/67241348/gard-running-88th/ |title= Prosser aide will seek seat in state Assembly |newspaper= The Post-Crescent |date= July 16, 1987 |accessdate= January 9, 2021 |via= Newspapers.com }}</ref> He ran his campaign out of his parents' farm, assisted by the volunteer efforts of his parents and seven siblings.<ref name="work"/> In September, Gard prevailed in a crowded seven-person Republican primary, which included Marinette County district attorney Tim Duket and Marinette Mayor Harold Pierce.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/clip/67244186/gard-v-boyle/ |title= Gard, Boyle to vie for Assembly |newspaper= Green Bay Press-Gazette |date= September 9, 1987 |first= Becky |last= Bruehl Bestul |accessdate= January 9, 2021 |via= Newspapers.com }}</ref><ref name="1989elex">{{cite report|url= http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/WI.WIBlueBk1989 |title= State of Wisconsin 1989-1990 Blue Book |editor1-last= Barish |editor1-first= Lawrence S. |editor2-last= Theobald |editor2-first= H. Rupert |publisher= State of Wisconsin |year= 1989 |author= Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau |chapter-url= https://images.library.wisc.edu/WI/EFacs/WIBlueBks/BlueBks/WIBlueBk1989/reference/wi.wibluebk1989.i0016.pdf |chapter= Elections |pages= 909, 912, 925, 927 |accessdate= January 9, 2021 }}</ref> During the 1987 campaign, Gard declared his opposition to pending legislation which would mandate seat belt use.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/clip/67245139/seat-belt-mandate-wisc/ |title= Buckle-up law passed by slim margin in Assembly |newspaper= Green Bay Press-Gazette |date= October 9, 1987 |first= Richard |last= Eggleston |accessdate= January 9, 2021 |via= Newspapers.com }}</ref> In the October special election, he narrowly defeated Democrat Charles J. Boyle.<ref name="1989elex"/>
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.<ref name="swear">{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/clip/51167570/green-bay-press-gazette/ |title= Gard takes Assembly oath despite grandfather's death |newspaper= Green Bay Press-Gazette |date= October 13, 1987 |first= James |last= Bartelt |accessdate= January 9, 2021 |via= Newspapers.com }}</ref> At the time of his swearing-in, Gard was the youngest member of the Wisconsin Legislature.<ref name="swear"/>
In 1990, Gard faced his closest election, surviving by a margin of just 45 votes after a recount.<ref name="1991elex">{{cite report|url= http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/WI.WIBlueBk1991 |title= State of Wisconsin 1991-1992 Blue Book |editor1-last= Barish |editor1-first= Lawrence S. |editor2-last= Theobald |editor2-first= H. Rupert |publisher= State of Wisconsin |year= 1991 |author= Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau |chapter-url= https://images.library.wisc.edu/WI/EFacs/WIBlueBks/BlueBks/WIBlueBk1991/reference/wi.wibluebk1991.i0016.pdf |chapter= Elections |pages= 901, 917 |accessdate= January 9, 2021 }}</ref> 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,<ref name="1993elex">{{cite report|url= http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/WI.WIBlueBk1993 |title= State of Wisconsin 1993-1994 Blue Book |editor1-last= Barish |editor1-first= Lawrence S. |editor2-last= Theobald |editor2-first= H. Rupert |publisher= State of Wisconsin |year= 1993 |author= Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau |chapter-url= https://images.library.wisc.edu/WI/EFacs/WIBlueBks/BlueBks/WIBlueBk1993/reference/wi.wibluebk1993.i0016.pdf |chapter= Elections |pages= 906, 923 |accessdate= January 9, 2021 }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/clip/67260125/gard-elected-speaker/ |title= GOP elects Gard speaker |newspaper= The Capital Times |date= November 13, 2002 |first= Anita |last= Weier |page= 2 |accessdate= January 9, 2021 |via= Newspapers.com }}</ref> He served as speaker for the 96th and 97th Wisconsin Legislatures.
===2006 Congressional race=== {{see also|2006 United States House of Representatives elections in Wisconsin#District 8}} In 2006, Wisconsin Congressman Mark Green announced he would run for Governor of Wisconsin, creating a vacancy in the 8th congressional district. Gard chose to forego reelection to the Assembly enter the race to replace Green in the United States House of Representatives. In the September primary, he defeated State Representative Terri McCormick with nearly 70% of the vote.<ref name="2006pri">{{cite report |url= https://elections.wi.gov/sites/elections.wi.gov/files/2006_FallElection_Primary_Recount_Results_Summary.pdf |title= Results of Fall Primary Election - 09/12/2006 |publisher= Wisconsin State Elections Board |date= October 17, 2006 |page= 14 |accessdate= January 9, 2021 |archive-date= January 11, 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210111173119/https://elections.wi.gov/sites/elections.wi.gov/files/2006_FallElection_Primary_Recount_Results_Summary.pdf |url-status= dead }}</ref>
In the general election, Gard faced Democrat Steve Kagen, a medical doctor from Appleton, in what became the most expensive congressional race in Wisconsin history up to that point.<ref name="nyt2006">{{cite news|url= https://www.nytimes.com/cq/2006/12/21/cq_2057.html |title= Rep.-elect Kagen Tries to Gain Political Traction |newspaper= The New York Times |date= December 21, 2006 |first= Jessica |last= Benton Cooney |accessdate= January 9, 2021 }}</ref> The district was considered a slightly Republican-leaning toss-up by pollsters and ratings organizations like The Cook Political Report.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://cookpolitical.com/races/report_pdfs/2006_house_comp_nov6.pdf |title= 2006 Competitive House Race Chart |website= The Cook Political Report |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080605081545/https://cookpolitical.com/races/report_pdfs/2006_house_comp_nov6.pdf |archive-date= June 5, 2008 |accessdate= January 9, 2021 |via= Wayback Machine }}</ref> The 2006 elections were driven by national issues like the Iraq War, healthcare, immigration, and earmark spending, and resulted in a Democratic wave, repudiating four years of Republican control of Washington, D.C.<ref name="nyt2006"/> Gard was able to carry his home county of Marinette with 51.4% of the vote and neighboring Oconto County, where he grew up, by 52.1%. He lost Brown County, home to Green Bay, by less than 1,000 votes (less than 1%). Kagen carried his home county of Outagamie with 54.5% of the vote. The cumulative result was a narrow victory for Kagen, taking 50.9% of the general election vote.<ref name="2006gen">{{cite report |url= https://elections.wi.gov/sites/elections.wi.gov/files/2006_FallElection_Results_Summary_0.pdf |title= Results of Fall General Election - 11/07/2006 |publisher= Wisconsin State Elections Board |date= December 5, 2006 |accessdate= January 9, 2021 |page= 6 |archive-date= May 11, 2022 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220511100748/https://elections.wi.gov/sites/elections.wi.gov/files/2006_FallElection_Results_Summary_0.pdf |url-status= dead }}</ref>
===2008 Congressional race=== {{see also|2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Wisconsin#District 8}} John Gard announced on Sunday April 27, 2008, that he would again run against Democratic incumbent Steve Kagen for 8th district representative.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gardforcongress.com/ |title=Home |website=gardforcongress.com}}</ref> The Cook Political Report claimed the race 'leans Democrat' even though the district was considered to "lean-Republican" with a Cook Partisan Voting Index (PVI) of R +4.
Other GOP potential candidates dropped out of the race, including State Assemblymen Frank Lasee and Steve Wieckert, and former Green Bay Mayor Paul Jadin. Gard received the Republican nomination, but lost the election by a count of 164,561 to 193,261.
==Later years== 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.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://gardbusinessgroup.com/about-us/ |title= Our Team |website= Gard Business Group |accessdate= January 9, 2021 }}</ref> Among other clients, Gard has lobbied on behalf of Amazon.com and Google in the 2017, 2019, and 2021 sessions of the Wisconsin Legislature.
In the 2010 Wisconsin gubernatorial election, Gard supported former Representative Mark Neumann, serving as a co-chair of his campaign.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wrn.com/2010/05/gard-supports-neumann-for-guv/ | title= Gard supports Neumann for guv |accessdate= May 18, 2022 }}</ref>
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."<ref>{{cite news|url= http://archive.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/john-gard-playing-role-in-8th-congressional-district-primary-b99740093z1-382254651.html/ |title= John Gard playing role in 8th Congressional District primary |date= June 8, 2016 |first= Jason |last= Stein |accessdate= January 9, 2021 }}</ref>
In 2020, in an emotional 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.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.wispolitics.com/2020/john-gard-the-anthem-still-matters-to-some-of-us/ |title= John Gard: The anthem still matters to some of us |first= John |last= Gard |work= Wispolitics.com |date= October 26, 2020 |accessdate= January 9, 2021 }}</ref>
==Personal life and family== 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.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/clip/67242876/gard-zeuske/ |title= Zeuske, Gard elect for hectic life |newspaper= Green Bay Press-Gazette |date= December 23, 1990 |first= Scott |last= Hildebrand |location=Madison, Wisconsin |accessdate= January 9, 2021 |via= Newspapers.com }}</ref>
==Electoral history== ===Wisconsin Assembly, 88th district (1987–1990)===
{| class=wikitable |- ! Year ! Election ! Date !! colspan="4"| Elected !! colspan="4"| Defeated ! Total ! Plurality |- ! rowspan="7" valign="top" | 1987<ref name="1993elex"/><br />{{small|(special)}} | rowspan="6" valign="top" | Primary | rowspan="6" valign="top" |{{nowrap|Sep. 9}} | rowspan="6" valign="top" | {{nowrap|John G. Gard}} | rowspan="6" valign="top" {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican | rowspan="6" valign="top" align="right" | 1,560 | rowspan="6" valign="top" align="right" | 34.23% | valign="top" | {{nowrap|Tim A. Duket}} | {{Party shading/Republican}} | Rep. | valign="top" align="right" | 968 | valign="top" align="right" | 21.24% | rowspan="6" valign="top" align="right" | 4,557 | rowspan="6" valign="top" align="right" | 592 |- | valign="top" | {{nowrap|Harold A. Pierce}} | {{Party shading/Republican}} | Rep. | valign="top" align="right" | 690 | valign="top" align="right" | 15.14% |- | valign="top" | {{nowrap|Danny J. Kanack}} | {{Party shading/Republican}} | Rep. | valign="top" align="right" | 483 | valign="top" align="right" | 10.60% |- | valign="top" | {{nowrap|Corliss A. Lightner}} | {{Party shading/Republican}} | Rep. | valign="top" align="right" | 375 | valign="top" align="right" | 8.23% |- | valign="top" | {{nowrap|Walter C. Hitt }} | {{Party shading/Republican}} | Rep. | valign="top" align="right" | 366 | valign="top" align="right" | 8.03% |- | valign="top" | {{nowrap|Richard C. Johnson}} | {{Party shading/Republican}} | Rep. | valign="top" align="right" | 115 | valign="top" align="right" | 2.52% |- | valign="top" | Special | valign="top" |{{nowrap|Oct. 6}} | valign="top" | {{nowrap|John G. Gard}} | valign="top" {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican | valign="top" align="right" | 5,037 | valign="top" align="right" | 51.59% | valign="top" | {{nowrap|Charles J. Boyle}} | {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Dem. | valign="top" align="right" | 4,726 | valign="top" align="right" | 48.41% | valign="top" align="right" | 9,763 | valign="top" align="right" | 311 |- ! valign="top" | 1988<ref name="1989elex"/> | valign="top" | General | valign="top" |{{nowrap|Nov. 8}} | valign="top" | {{nowrap|John G. Gard (inc.)}} | valign="top" {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican | valign="top" align="right" | 11,624 | valign="top" align="right" | 59.71% | valign="top" | {{nowrap|Gary Potasnik}} | {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Dem. | valign="top" align="right" | 7,843 | valign="top" align="right" | 40.29% | valign="top" align="right" | 19,467 | valign="top" align="right" | 3,781 |- ! valign="top" | 1990<ref name="1991elex"/> | valign="top" | General | valign="top" |{{nowrap|Nov. 6}} | valign="top" | {{nowrap|John G. Gard (inc.)}} | valign="top" {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican | valign="top" align="right" | 6,991 | valign="top" align="right" | 50.16% | valign="top" | {{nowrap|Scott A. McCormick}} | {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Dem. | valign="top" align="right" | 6,946 | valign="top" align="right" | 49.84% | valign="top" align="right" | 13,937 | valign="top" align="right" | 45 |}
===Wisconsin Assembly, 89th district (1992–2004)=== {| class=wikitable |- ! Year ! Election ! Date !! colspan="4"| Elected !! colspan="4"| Defeated ! Total ! Plurality |- ! valign="top" | 1992<ref name="1993elex"/> | valign="top" | General | valign="top" |{{nowrap|Nov. 3}} | valign="top" | {{nowrap|John G. Gard}} | valign="top" {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican | valign="top" align="right" | 14,826 | valign="top" align="right" | 64.02% | valign="top" | {{nowrap|Scott A. McCormick}} | {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Dem. | valign="top" align="right" | 8,331 | valign="top" align="right" | 35.98% | valign="top" align="right" | 23,157 | valign="top" align="right" | 6,495 |- ! valign="top" | 1994<ref>{{cite report|url= http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/WI.WIBlueBk1995 |title= State of Wisconsin 1995-1996 Blue Book |editor1-last= Barish |editor1-first= Lawrence S. |publisher= State of Wisconsin |year= 1995 |author= Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau |chapter-url= https://images.library.wisc.edu/WI/EFacs/WIBlueBks/BlueBks/WIBlueBk1995/reference/wi.wibluebk1995.i0017.pdf |chapter= Elections |pages= 905, 923 |accessdate= January 9, 2021 }}</ref> | valign="top" | General | valign="top" |{{nowrap|Nov. 8}} | valign="top" | {{nowrap|John G. Gard (inc.)}} | valign="top" {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican | valign="top" align="right" | 10,325 | valign="top" align="right" | 68.53% | valign="top" | {{nowrap|Kim Fenske}} | {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Dem. | valign="top" align="right" | 4,742 | valign="top" align="right" | 31.47% | valign="top" align="right" | 15,067 | valign="top" align="right" | 5,583 |- ! valign="top" | 1996<ref>{{cite report|url= http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/WI.WIBlueBk1997 |title= State of Wisconsin 1997-1998 Blue Book |editor1-last= Barish |editor1-first= Lawrence S. |publisher= State of Wisconsin |year= 1997 |author= Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau |chapter-url= https://images.library.wisc.edu/WI/EFacs/WIBlueBks/BlueBks/WIBlueBk1997/reference/wi.wibluebk1997.i0017.pdf |chapter= Elections |pages= 902, 905 |accessdate= January 9, 2021 }}</ref> | valign="top" | General | valign="top" |{{nowrap|Nov. 5}} | valign="top" | {{nowrap|John G. Gard (inc.)}} | valign="top" {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican | valign="top" align="right" | 14,113 | valign="top" align="right" | 66.67% | valign="top" | {{nowrap|Kim Fenske}} | {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Dem. | valign="top" align="right" | 7,056 | valign="top" align="right" | 33.33% | valign="top" align="right" | 21,169 | valign="top" align="right" | 7,057 |- ! valign="top" | 1998<ref>{{cite report|url= http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/WI.WIBlueBk1999 |title= State of Wisconsin 1999-2000 Blue Book |editor1-last= Barish |editor1-first= Lawrence S. |editor2-last= Meloy |editor2-first= Patricia E. |publisher= State of Wisconsin |year= 1999 |author= Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau |chapter-url= https://images.library.wisc.edu/WI/EFacs/WIBlueBks/BlueBks/WIBlueBk1999/reference/wi.wibluebk1999.i0017.pdf |chapter= Elections |pages= 881, 884 |accessdate= January 9, 2021 }}</ref> | valign="top" | General | valign="top" |{{nowrap|Nov. 3}} | valign="top" | {{nowrap|John G. Gard (inc.)}} | valign="top" {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican | valign="top" align="right" | 13,088 | valign="top" align="right" | 97.96% | valign="top" | {{nowrap|Alan S. Hager (write-in)}} | {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Dem. | valign="top" align="right" | 272 | valign="top" align="right" | 2.04% | valign="top" align="right" | 13,360 | valign="top" align="right" | 12,816 |- ! valign="top" | 2000<ref>{{cite report |url= https://elections.wi.gov/sites/elections.wi.gov/files/2000_General_Election_Summary_Results.pdf |title= Results of Fall General Election - 11/07/2000 |publisher= Wisconsin State Elections Board |date= May 10, 2001 |page= 39 |accessdate= January 9, 2021 |archive-date= January 10, 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210110070313/https://elections.wi.gov/sites/elections.wi.gov/files/2000_General_Election_Summary_Results.pdf |url-status= dead }}</ref> | valign="top" | General | valign="top" |{{nowrap|Nov. 7}} | valign="top" | {{nowrap|John G. Gard (inc.)}} | valign="top" {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican | valign="top" align="right" | 18,372 | valign="top" align="right" | 72.65% | valign="top" | {{nowrap|Alan S. Hager}} | {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Dem. | valign="top" align="right" | 6,904 | valign="top" align="right" | 27.30% | valign="top" align="right" | 25,290 | valign="top" align="right" | 11,468 |- ! rowspan="3" valign="top" | 2002<ref>{{cite report |url= https://elections.wi.gov/sites/elections.wi.gov/files/elec02F_results.pdf |title= Results of Fall General Election - 11/05/2002 |publisher= Wisconsin State Elections Board |date= December 2, 2002 |page= 41 |accessdate= January 9, 2021 |archive-date= January 12, 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200112214409/https://elections.wi.gov/sites/elections.wi.gov/files/elec02F_results.pdf |url-status= dead }}</ref> | rowspan="3" valign="top" | General | rowspan="3" valign="top" |{{nowrap|Nov. 5}} | rowspan="3" valign="top" | {{nowrap|John G. Gard (inc.)}} | rowspan="3" valign="top" {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican | rowspan="3" valign="top" align="right" | 11,335 | rowspan="3" valign="top" align="right" | 69.06% | valign="top" | {{nowrap|Alan S. Hager}} | {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Dem. | valign="top" align="right" | 4,501 | valign="top" align="right" | 27.42% | rowspan="3" valign="top" align="right" | 16,414 | rowspan="3" valign="top" align="right" | 6,834 |- | valign="top" | {{nowrap|Justin Ingalls}} | {{Party shading/Libertarian}} | Lib. | valign="top" align="right" | 308 | valign="top" align="right" | 1.88% |- | valign="top" | {{nowrap|Jake Neta}} | {{Party shading/Independent}} | Ind. | valign="top" align="right" | 257 | valign="top" align="right" | 1.57% |- ! valign="top" | 2004<ref>{{cite report |url= https://elections.wi.gov/sites/elections.wi.gov/files/2004_FallElection_Results_Summary.pdf |title= Results of Fall General Election - 11/02/2004 |publisher= Wisconsin State Elections Board |date= December 1, 2004 |page= 41 |accessdate= January 9, 2021 |archive-date= May 11, 2022 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220511100747/https://elections.wi.gov/sites/elections.wi.gov/files/2004_FallElection_Results_Summary.pdf |url-status= dead }}</ref> | valign="top" | General | valign="top" |{{nowrap|Nov. 2}} | valign="top" | {{nowrap|John G. Gard (inc.)}} | valign="top" {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican | valign="top" align="right" | 18,216 | valign="top" align="right" | 63.81% | valign="top" | {{nowrap|Bruce J. Berman}} | {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Dem. | valign="top" align="right" | 10,318 | valign="top" align="right" | 36.15% | valign="top" align="right" | 28,546 | valign="top" align="right" | 7,898 |}
===U.S. House of Representatives (2006)=== {{Election box begin | title=Wisconsin's 8th Congressional District Election, 2006<ref name="2006pri"/><ref name="2006gen"/> }} | colspan="6" style="text-align:center;background-color: #e9e9e9;"| '''Republican Primary, September 12, 2006''' {{Election box winning candidate with party link| |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = John G. Gard |votes = 39,451 |percentage = 68.15% |change = }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Terri McCormick |votes = 18,424 |percentage = 31.83% |change = }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = |candidate = ''Scattering'' |votes = 12 |percentage = 0.02% |change = }} {{Election box plurality |votes = 21,027 |percentage = 36.32% |change = }} {{Election box total |votes = 57,887 |percentage = 100.0% |change = }} | colspan="6" style="text-align:center;background-color: #e9e9e9;"| '''General Election, November 7, 2006''' {{Election box winning candidate with party link| |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Steve Kagen |votes = 141,570 |percentage = 50.90% |change = +21.07% }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = John G. Gard |votes = 135,622 |percentage = 48.76% |change = -21.37% }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = |candidate = ''Scattering'' |votes = 943 |percentage = 0.34% |change = }} {{Election box plurality |votes = 5,948 |percentage = 2.14% |change = -38.16% }} {{Election box total |votes = 278,135 |percentage = 100.0% |change = -21.37% }} {{Election box gain with party link| |winner = Democratic Party (United States) |loser = Republican Party (United States) |swing = 42.44% }} {{Election box end}}
===U.S. House of Representatives (2008)=== {{Election box begin | title=Wisconsin's 8th Congressional District Election, 2008<ref>{{cite report|url= https://elections.wi.gov/sites/elections.wi.gov/files/2008_FallElection_USCongress_CountyReturns.pdf |title= Fall General Election - 11/04/2008 |publisher= Wisconsin State Elections Board|date= November 21, 2008 |accessdate= January 9, 2021 | page= 9}}</ref> }} | colspan="6" style="text-align:center;background-color: #e9e9e9;"| '''General Election, November 4, 2008''' {{Election box winning candidate with party link| |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Steve Kagen (incumbent) |votes = 193,662 |percentage = 54.00% |change = +3.10% }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = John G. Gard |votes = 164,621 |percentage = 45.90% |change = -2.86% }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = |candidate = ''Scattering'' |votes = 364 |percentage = 0.10% |change = }} {{Election box plurality |votes = 29,041 |percentage = 8.10% |change = +5.96% }} {{Election box total |votes = 358,647 |percentage = 100.0% |change = +28.95% }} {{Election box hold with party link no swing| |winner = Democratic Party (United States) }} {{Election box end}}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{CongLinks | congbio= | votesmart=3487 | fec=H6WI08114 | congress= }} * {{C-SPAN|1021764}} * [https://gardbusinessgroup.com/ Gard Business Group] * ''Eye on Lobbying'' - John Gard (Wisconsin Ethics Commission) ** [https://lobbying.wi.gov/Who/LobbyistInformation/2013REG/Information/6670 2013–2014] [https://lobbying.wi.gov/Who/LobbyistInformation/2015REG/Information/7519 2015–2016] [https://lobbying.wi.gov/Who/LobbyistInformation/2017REG/Information/8220 2017–2018] [https://lobbying.wi.gov/Who/LobbyistInformation/2019REG/Information/8682 2019–2020] [https://lobbying.wi.gov/Who/LobbyistInformation/2021REG/Information/9487 2021–2022]
{{s-start}} {{s-par|us-wi-hs}} {{s-bef|before = Richard P. Matty}} {{s-ttl|title = {{nowrap|Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the 88th district}} |years= October 12, 1987{{spaced ndash}}January 4, 1993 }} {{s-aft|after = Rosemary Hinkfuss }} {{s-bef|before = Cletus J. Vanderperren}} {{s-ttl|title = {{nowrap|Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the 89th district}} |years= January 4, 1993{{spaced ndash}}January 3, 2007}} {{s-aft|after = John Nygren }} {{s-bef|before = Scott Jensen}} {{s-ttl|title = {{nowrap|Speaker of the Wisconsin State Assembly}} |years= January 6, 2003{{spaced ndash}}January 3, 2007}} {{s-aft|after = Michael Huebsch }} {{s-end}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Gard, John}} Category:1963 births Category:Living people Category:Politicians from Milwaukee Category:People from Lena, Wisconsin Category:University of Wisconsin–La Crosse alumni Category:Speakers of the Wisconsin State Assembly Category:Republican Party members of the Wisconsin State Assembly Category:20th-century members of the Wisconsin Legislature Category:21st-century members of the Wisconsin Legislature