Roger Breske was born November 8, 1938, in Elderon, Wisconsin, in eastern Marathon County. As a child, he attended school in the neighboring community of Wittenberg, Wisconsin, in Shawano County, and graduated from Wittenberg High School.[1] As a young man, he served in the United States Army Reserve. He became the owner of a tavern and restaurant known as "Breske's Bar", which he operated for more than 20 years.[1]
Through his tavern business, he became active in the Tavern League of Wisconsin, one of the most powerful business lobbies in the state. He first became president of the Marathon County Tavern League, and was then elected president of the state organization in 1985.[2]
In 1990, Wisconsin state senator Lloyd H. Kincaid announced he would retire due to poor health before the end of his term, necessitating a special election that fall.[3] Breske entered the race for the Democratic Party nomination, and prevailed in the crowded five-person primary, receiving 39% of the vote.[4] Breske went on to win a close victory over his Republican opponent in the special election, which coincided with the November 6, 1990, general election.[4]
Breske went on to win re-election in 1992, 1996, 2000, and 2004. He was considered a more conservative member of the Democratic caucus, and sometimes frustrated his party leadership. Most notoriously, in 2008 Breske managed to derail a statewide smoking ban which had been a signature issue pushed by Democratic governor Jim Doyle.[5] The following Spring, Doyle appointed Breske to serve as Wisconsin Railroad Commissioner.[6] Breske accepted the appointment and resigned from the Senate in June 2008.[7]
Breske served until the end of his term, which ended on March 1, 2011, and did not seek re-appointment from the new Republican governor Scott Walker.[8]
Breske died less than a year later, suffering a heart attack in his home on April 3, 2012.[9]
Personal life and family
Roger Breske married Karen Woznicki at St. Florian Catholic Church, in Hatley, Wisconsin, on April 25, 1959. They had four children together and were married for 53 years.[10]
^ abBarish, Lawrence S.; Theobald, H. Rupert, eds. (1991). "Biographies". State of Wisconsin Blue Book 1991–1992 (Report). Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. p. 44. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
^ abcBarish, Lawrence S.; Theobald, H. Rupert, eds. (1991). "Elections in Wisconsin". State of Wisconsin Blue Book 1991–1992 (Report). Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. pp. 895, 912. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
^"Roger Breske". Wausau Daily Herald. April 4, 2012. Retrieved April 10, 2023 – via Legacy.com.
^Barish, Lawrence S.; Theobald, H. Rupert, eds. (1993). "Elections in Wisconsin". State of Wisconsin Blue Book 1993–1994 (Report). Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. pp. 900, 919. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
^Barish, Lawrence S., ed. (1997). "Elections in Wisconsin". State of Wisconsin Blue Book 1997–1998 (Report). Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. pp. 888–889. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
