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. He is a member of the Democratic Party.
Before becoming governor, Doyle was Wisconsin's Attorney General from 1991 to 2003. As of 2016, he works as a lawyer for the firm of Foley & Lardner in Madison, Wisconsin. He also serves on the boards of Epic Systems and Exact Sciences.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Where Jim Doyle Grew Up
Jim Doyle was born on November 23, 1945, in Washington, D.C.. His parents were Ruth Bachhuber Doyle and James Edward Doyle. They were important leaders in the Democratic Party of Wisconsin after 1946.
His father, James Edward Doyle Sr., tried to become governor in 1954. Later, in 1965, he was chosen to be a federal judge. Jim's mother, Ruth Bachhuber Doyle, was the first woman from Dane County to be elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 1948.
His School Years and Early Work
Doyle graduated from Madison West High School in 1963. He then went to Stanford University for three years. He finished his last year of college at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
After college, Doyle was inspired by John F. Kennedy's idea of public service. From 1967 to 1969, he worked as a teacher with his wife, Jessica Doyle, in Tunisia as part of the Peace Corps. The Peace Corps is a program where Americans volunteer to help people in other countries.
In 1972, Doyle earned his law degree from Harvard Law School. After that, he moved to the Navajo Indian Reservation in Chinle, Arizona. There, he worked as a lawyer in an office that provided legal help.
Early Political Career
Serving as District Attorney
In 1975, Doyle returned to Madison, Wisconsin. He served three terms as the Dane County District Attorney. This job meant he was the chief prosecutor for the county. He held this position from 1977 to 1982.
After being District Attorney, he worked as a private lawyer for eight years.
Becoming Attorney General
Doyle was elected Wisconsin Attorney General in 1990. He was reelected two more times, in 1994 and 1998. The Attorney General is the state's chief legal officer.
From 1997 to 1998, he was the president of the National Association of Attorneys General. During his twelve years as Attorney General, Doyle was known for being tough on crime. He also became well-known for winning several important lawsuits against tobacco companies in Wisconsin.
Campaigns for Governor
The 2002 Governor's Race
Doyle ran for governor against Republican Scott McCallum. McCallum had become governor in 2001 after Tommy Thompson left to work for the U.S. government.
The 2002 governor's race was known for being a very tough campaign. 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.
The 2006 Governor's Race
Doyle ran for reelection in 2006 and won against Republican Congressman Mark Green. Doyle received 53% of the votes, while Green received 45%. This was a year when many Democratic leaders kept their jobs.
Deciding Not to Run Again
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In 2007, Doyle had raised a lot of money for a possible third campaign. Many people thought he would run again for governor. However, on August 17, 2009, Doyle announced that he would not seek a third term as governor.
Governor of Wisconsin
Tackling State Challenges
When Doyle became governor, Wisconsin was facing a large budget problem, called a deficit. The state had a $3.2 billion deficit. By the end of 2003, the deficit was $2.15 billion.
Doyle had promised not to raise taxes during his campaign. This meant he had to make tough choices about the state budget. He signed a plan to freeze property taxes, which helped lower average property taxes in 2003.
Key Goals as Governor
Doyle's main goals as governor were:
- Investing in public schools, including the University of Wisconsin System.
- Lowering property taxes for families.
- Helping local economies grow.
- Improving transportation.
- Funding stem cell research.
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Working with Other States
On January 2, 2009, Doyle joined governors from four other states. They asked the federal government for $1 trillion in aid for all 50 states. This money would help states pay for education, welfare, and roads. States were struggling with big budget problems during a difficult economic time.
On May 19, 2009, Doyle suggested some ways to raise money for the state. These ideas included increasing the cigarette tax and adding a tax on music downloads and cell phone ringtones. He also proposed a small income tax increase for people earning over $300,000 a year.
Doyle also served as the leader of the Midwestern Governors Association in 2007.
Personal Life and Family
A Family of Public Servants
Jim Doyle comes from a family with a long history of public service in Wisconsin. He is a fifth-generation state officeholder.
- His mother, Ruth Bachhuber Doyle, was in the Wisconsin State Assembly in the 1940s.
- His grandfather, Frank E. Bachhuber, represented Marathon County in the Assembly in the 1930s.
- His great-grandfather and great-great-grandfather, Andrew Bachhuber and Max Bachhuber, also served in the Assembly in the 1800s.
His Family Today
Doyle is married to Jessica Laird Doyle. Jessica is the niece of former Congressman Melvin Laird. She is also the great-granddaughter of William D. Connor, who was lieutenant governor of Wisconsin from 1907 to 1909. Her great-great-grandfather, Robert Connor, was also a Wisconsin State Representative.
Jim and Jessica Doyle have two adopted sons, Gus and Gabe. They also have a daughter-in-law named Carrie, a grandson named Asiah, and two granddaughters named Lily and Lucy.
See also
In Spanish: Jim Doyle para niños
