Jim Doyle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jim Doyle
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Doyle in 2009
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| 44th Governor of Wisconsin | |
| In office January 6, 2003 – January 3, 2011 |
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| Lieutenant | Barbara Lawton |
| Preceded by | Scott McCallum |
| Succeeded by | Scott Walker |
| 41st Attorney General of Wisconsin | |
| In office January 7, 1991 – January 6, 2003 |
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| Governor | Tommy Thompson Scott McCallum |
| Preceded by | Don Hanaway |
| Succeeded by | Peg Lautenschlager |
| District Attorney of Dane County | |
| In office January 3, 1977 – January 3, 1982 |
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| Preceded by | Humphrey Lynch |
| Succeeded by | Harold Harlowe |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
James Edward Doyle, Jr.
November 23, 1945 Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Jessica Laird |
| Relations | James Edward Doyle (father) Ruth Bachhuber Doyle (mother) |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | University of Wisconsin, Madison (BA) Harvard University (JD) |
| Signature |  |
James Edward Doyle Jr. (born November 23, 1945) is an American lawyer and politician. He served as the 44th governor of Wisconsin from 2003 to 2011. Before becoming governor, he was Wisconsin's Attorney General for 12 years.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Jim Doyle was born on November 23, 1945, in Washington, D.C.. His parents, Ruth Bachhuber Doyle and James Edward Doyle, were important leaders in the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. His father ran for governor in 1954 and later became a federal judge. His mother was the first woman from Dane County elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly.
Jim Doyle graduated from Madison West High School in 1963. He studied at Stanford University for three years. Then, he finished his last year at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. After college, he and his wife, Jessica Doyle, worked as teachers in Tunisia. They were part of the Peace Corps from 1967 to 1969.
In 1972, Doyle earned his law degree from Harvard Law School. He then moved to the Navajo Indian Reservation in Chinle, Arizona. There, he worked as a lawyer helping people in a federal legal services office.
Early Political Career
In 1975, Doyle returned to Madison, Wisconsin. He served three terms as the District Attorney for Dane County, from 1977 to 1982. After that, he worked as a private lawyer for eight years.
Doyle was elected Wisconsin Attorney General in 1990. He was reelected in 1994 and 1998, serving for 12 years. From 1997 to 1998, he was the president of the National Association of Attorneys General. As Attorney General, Doyle was known for being tough on crime. He also won important lawsuits against tobacco companies in Wisconsin.
Campaigns for Governor
2002 Governor Election
Doyle ran for governor against Republican Scott McCallum. McCallum had become governor in 2001. This happened after Tommy Thompson left to work for the Bush administration.
The 2002 governor's race was very competitive. On election day, Doyle won against McCallum by more than four percent of the votes. He became the first Democratic governor in Wisconsin since 1986. Doyle was sworn into office on January 6, 2003, at the State Capitol in Madison.
2006 Governor Election
Doyle ran for reelection in 2006 against Republican Congressman Mark Green. Doyle won with 53% of the votes, while Green received 45%. In that year, no sitting Democratic governor, senator, or congressman lost their reelection.
Retirement from Politics
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In 2007, Jim Doyle had raised a lot of money for a possible third term as governor. He even changed his campaign website to JimDoyle2010.com. However, on August 17, 2009, Doyle announced that he would not seek a third term.
Governor of Wisconsin
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When Doyle became governor, Wisconsin faced a large budget problem. The state had a $3.2 billion deficit. Doyle promised not to raise taxes. His main goals were to invest in public schools, including the University of Wisconsin System. He also wanted to lower property taxes, help the economy grow, improve transportation, and fund stem cell research.
In January 2009, Doyle and governors from four other states asked the federal government for $1 trillion in aid. This money would help states pay for education, welfare, and roads. States were struggling with big budget problems during a difficult economy.
In May 2009, Doyle suggested some ways to raise money. He proposed increasing the cigarette tax by 75 cents per pack. He also suggested a fee for oil companies to help pay for road improvements. Other ideas included adding sales tax to music downloads and cell phone ringtones. He also wanted to raise the state income tax by 1 percent for people earning over $300,000 a year.
Doyle led the Midwestern Governors Association in 2007.
Personal Life and Family
Jim Doyle comes from a family with a long history in Wisconsin politics. He is a fifth-generation state officeholder. His mother, Ruth Bachhuber Doyle, was in the Wisconsin State Assembly in the 1940s. His maternal grandfather, Frank E. Bachhuber, and his great-grandfather and great-great-grandfather, Andrew Bachhuber and Max Bachhuber, also served in the Assembly.
Doyle is married to Jessica Laird Doyle. She is the niece of former Congressman Melvin Laird. She is also the great-granddaughter of William D. Connor, who was Wisconsin's lieutenant governor from 1907 to 1909. Jim and Jessica have two adopted sons, Gus and Gabe. They also have a daughter-in-law, Carrie, and three grandchildren: Asiah, Lily, and Lucy.
Images for kids
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Jim Doyle giving a speech in 2005.
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Jim Doyle announcing he would not run for reelection.
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Doyle on board a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter, viewing flood damage in 2008.
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Doyle (right) with Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett in 2009.
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Doyle speaks during the second day of the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado.
See also
In Spanish: Jim Doyle para niños
