John Dickert

John T. Dickert (born December 6, 1962) is an American Democratic politician and was the 57th mayor of Racine, Wisconsin. He now works as the Administrator of the Division of State and Local Finance in the Wisconsin Department of Revenue, appointed by Governor Tony Evers in May 2019.[1]

John T. Dickert
57th Mayor of Racine, Wisconsin
In office May 19, 2009 (2009-05-19) – July 16, 2017 (2017-07-16)
Preceded by	Tom Friedel (interim) Gary Becker (elected)
Succeeded by	Dennis Wiser (acting) Cory Mason (elected)
Personal details
Born	John T. Dickert (1962-12-06) December 6, 1962 Racine, Wisconsin, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Teresa Murphy
Children	2
Alma mater	University of Wisconsin–La Crosse
Website	Official Website

He was elected mayor in a 2009 special election and was re-elected twice, in 2011 and 2015. He resigned as mayor in 2017 to work as executive director of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative.[2]

Early life

Dickert's familial roots extend three generations in Racine. In 1880, his great-great grandfather arrived and started a family and small plumbing business, Dickert Brothers Plumbing Company. That business lasted more than a century.[3] John Dickert was born December 6, 1962. He attended St. Catherine's High School and received his bachelor's degree in political science and mass communication from the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse.[4] While in college, he was elected to the La Crosse County Board of Supervisors. Dickert then worked as an intern for Congressman Les Aspin in Washington D.C. Dickert returned to Racine to serve as Congressional District Director for State Assemblyman Peter Barca. Dickert ran twice in Democratic primary elections for Wisconsin State Assembly in the 61st district against Robert Turner, but was defeated both times. Dickert became a real estate agent for Coldwell Banker in 2003 and First Weber in 2007, then ran for mayor of Racine in 2009.[4]

Mayoralty

Dickert and other mayors meet with President Obama in the East Room of the White House

John Dickert served as mayor from May 2009 through July 2017. He was first elected to finish the term of Gary E. Becker, who had resigned in January after being charged with six felonies.[5] He was elected on May 5, 2009, and was inaugurated on May 19,[6] taking over from acting Mayor Tom Friedel. After winning regular elections in August 2011 and again in August 2015, Dickert ultimately served one full term and two partial terms.[7]

While mayor, Dickert served as president of the Urban Alliance, a group of mayors from Wisconsin’s largest metro regions, from its creation in 2011 until he was succeeded by Manitowoc mayor Justin Nickels in 2014.[8][9] Dickert also served on the United States Conference of Mayors, primarily as Vice Chair of the Metro Economies Committee,[10] as well as on its Mayors Water Council.[11] Additionally, he was a member of Governor Scott Walker’s Wisconsin Coastal Management Council.[12]

On March 27, 2017, Dickert announced his plans to resign from the mayoralty to take the position of executive director at the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative, a binational group of U.S. and Canadian "mayors and local officials working to advance the protection and restoration of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River."[13] Dickert had previously served on the organization's board of directors, and was the chairman of the board between 2014 and 2015.[14]

Dickert formally resigned on July 16, 2017, and Dennis Wiser, previously president of the Racine City Council, automatically became acting mayor. Democrat Cory Mason was elected Mayor of Racine, Wisconsin on November 7, 2017 after winning the special election.[2]

Department of Revenue

In May 2019, Dickert was tapped by newly-inaugurated Governor Tony Evers and newly-appointed Secretary of Revenue Peter W. Barca to serve as administrator for the Division of State and Local Finance in the Wisconsin Department of Revenue. The Division of State and Local Finance is responsible for administering the state's property tax valuation and assessment program, with emphasis on properly valuing commercial, manufacturing, and other special properties. On his appointment, Secretary Barca said: "John's background as the former three-term mayor of the City of Racine along with his experience in residential and commercial real estate provides him with a unique perspective for this position. His keen understanding of local government and the issues facing local government officials will help us to better serve their needs and, more importantly, their citizens."[15]

Personal life

Dickert lives in Racine with his wife and two children Riley and Eleanor.[16]

Electoral history

Wisconsin Assembly (1990, 2002)

Wisconsin Assembly 61st District Election, 1990[17]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±
Primary Election
	Democratic	Robert L. Turner	2,056	46.14%
	Democratic	John Dickert	1,193	26.77%
	Republican	Roderick D. Wilhelmi	722	16.20%
	Democratic	Cathleen A. Cotter	485	10.88%
Total votes			4,456	100.0%
General Election
	Democratic	Robert L. Turner	7,232	62.09%
	Republican	Roderick D. Wilhelmi	4,415	37.91%
Total votes			11,647	100.0%
	Democratic hold

Wisconsin Assembly 61st District Election, 2002[18]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±
Primary Election
	Democratic	Robert L. Turner (incumbent)	3,194	52.25%
	Democratic	John Dickert	2,919	47.75%
Total votes			6,113	100.0%
General Election
	Democratic	Robert L. Turner (incumbent)	9,525	98.15%	-1.41%
		Write-ins	180	1.85%	+1.41%
Total votes			9,705	100.0%	-29.48%
	Democratic hold

Racine Mayor (2009-2015)

Racine Mayoral Special Election, 2009[19]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±
Primary Election, April 7, 2009
	Democratic	John Dickert	2,307	23.09%
	Democratic	Robert L. Turner	1,671	16.73%
	Democratic	Kimberly Plache	1,313	13.14%
	Independent	James Spangenberg	1,249	12.50%
	Independent	Greg Helding	1,150	11.51%
	Independent	Pete Karas	851	8.52%
	Independent	Jody Harding	658	6.59%
	Independent	Q.A. Shakoor II	414	4.14%
	Independent	Lesia Hill-Driver	161	1.61%
	Independent	Raymond Fay	148	1.48%
	Independent	Jaimie Charon	69	0.69%
Total votes			9,991	100.0%
Special Election, May 5, 2009
	Democratic	John Dickert	6,027	55.46%
	Democratic	Robert L. Turner	4,841	44.54%
Plurality			1,186	10.91%
Total votes			10,868	100.0%
	Democratic hold

Racine Mayoral Election, 2011[20]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±
General Election, April 5, 2011
	Democratic	John Dickert	11,379	72.87%	+17.41%
	Independent	Eric Marcus	4,237	27.13%
Plurality			7,142	45.74%	+34.83%
Total votes			15,616	100.0%	+43.69%
	Democratic hold

Racine Mayoral Election, 2015[21]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±
General Election, April 7, 2015
	Democratic	John Dickert	5,392	54.26%	-18.61%
	Independent	Melvin Hargrove	4,546	45.74%
Plurality			846	8.51%	-37.23%
Total votes			9,938	100.0%	-36.36%
	Democratic hold

References

1. Torres, Ricardo (May 15, 2019). "Dickert tapped to serve with the state Department of Revenue". Racine Journal Times. Retrieved May 16, 2020.
2. Leary, Patrick (July 19, 2017). "Wiser appointed mayor; Election tentatively set for Oct. 17". Racine Journal Times.
3. "John Dickert for Mayor". Archived from the original on 2016-01-16.
4. "Mayoral Candidate Profile: John Dickert". Racine Journal Times. April 7, 2009.
5. "Mayor Gary Becker of Racine, Wisconsin resigns after sex-sting arrest". Associated Press. January 20, 2009.
6. Pete (May 19, 2009). "John Dickert takes over as Racine's mayor". Racine Post.
7. Spoto, Cara (April 7, 2015). "Dickert holds off challenge in mayor race". Racine Journal Times.
8. "Manitowoc Mayor Justin Nickels New Urban Alliance President", League of Wisconsin Municipalities, September 30, 2014.
9. "Mayor named new alliance president", Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter, September 30, 2014.
10. "Mayor Dickert Receives National Appointment", Racine, Wisconsin's Randum Creative Events, November 3, 2010.
11. "John Dickert: Mayor; Racine, WI", The NewDEAL.
12. "Action Plan". johndickert.com. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04.
13. "About The Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative", Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative.
14. "Racine Mayor John Dickert to resign for job with Great Lakes cities", Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, March 27, 2017.
15. "John Dickert Appointed State and Local Finance Division Administrator" (PDF). Wisconsin Department of Revenue (Press release). May 15, 2019. Retrieved May 16, 2020.
16. Leary, Patrick (2017-03-28). "Mayor Dickert to step down; taking role with water advocacy group". Racine Journal Times. Retrieved 2019-03-09.
17. Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. "Elections in Wisconsin". State of Wisconsin 1991-1992 Blue Book (Report). State of Wisconsin. pp. 900, 916. Retrieved 2019-03-05.
18. Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. "Elections in Wisconsin". State of Wisconsin 2003-2004 Blue Book (Report). State of Wisconsin. pp. 920, 923. Retrieved 2019-03-05.
19. Brien, Stephanie (2009-04-07). "Dickert or Turner to be Racine's next mayor". Racine Journal Times. Retrieved 2019-03-09.
20. Won, Christine (2011-04-05). "Dickert defeats Marcus, will continue as mayor". Racine Journal Times. Retrieved 2019-03-09.
21. Spoto, Cara (2015-04-07). "Dickert holds off challenge in mayor race". Racine Journal Times. Retrieved 2019-03-09.

External links

• Profile at Vote Smart

Political offices
Preceded by Tom Friedel (interim) Gary Becker (elected)	Mayor of Racine, Wisconsin 2009 – 2017	Succeeded by Dennis Wiser (acting) Cory Mason (elected)