Tod Ohnstad
American politician (born 1952)
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Tod Ohnstad (born May 21, 1952) is an American Democratic politician, retired machinist, and former union representative from Kenosha, Wisconsin. He served six terms as a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly, representing the Wisconsin's 65th Assembly district from 2013 to 2025.
Tod Ohnstad | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the 65th district | |
| In office January 7, 2013 – January 6, 2025 | |
| Preceded by | John Steinbrink |
| Succeeded by | Ben DeSmidt |
| Member of the Kenosha City Council | |
| In office 2008–2014 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 21, 1952 Eau Claire, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Kristi |
| Occupation | Machinist, politician |
| Website | Official website |
Biography
Ohnstad was born in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and graduated from Altoona High School in 1970. He moved to Kenosha and attended the University of Wisconsin–Parkside. He worked at Kenosha Engine, first when it was operated by American Motors Corporation, then later for General Motors, and Chrysler. During his work in the auto industry, he was heavily involved with the UAW Local 72 labor union. He was a member of the Executive Board of the United Auto Workers from 1984 to 2004.
Ohnstad served on the Kenosha Common Council from 2008 until 2014. In August 2012, Ohnstad won the 65th District Democratic primary for Wisconsin State Assembly and did not face an opponent in the November general election.[1][2] He did not face an opponent in the general election until 2020, when he defeated Republican nominee Crystal Miller.[3]
On March 2, 2024, Ohnstad announced he would not run for re-election in 2024 and would retire at the end of his 6th term.[4]
Electoral history
Wisconsin Assembly (2012–2022)
| Year | Election | Date | Elected | Defeated | Total | Plurality | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Primary[5] | Aug. 14 | Tod Ohnstad | Democratic | 2,083 | 73.27% | Dayvin M. A. Hallmon | Dem. | 519 | 18.26% | 2,843 | 1,564 |
| Albert Namath | Dem. | 180 | 6.33% | |||||||||
| General[6] | Nov. 6 | Tod Ohnstad | Democratic | 18,373 | 97.99% | --unopposed-- | 18,750 | |||||
| 2014 | General[7] | Nov. 4 | Tod Ohnstad (inc) | Democratic | 11,599 | 96.93% | 11,966 | |||||
| 2016 | General[8] | Nov. 8 | Tod Ohnstad (inc) | Democratic | 16,112 | 97.84% | 16,467 | |||||
| 2018 | General[9] | Nov. 6 | Tod Ohnstad (inc) | Democratic | 14,456 | 96.82% | 14,931 | |||||
| 2020 | General[10] | Nov. 3 | Tod Ohnstad (inc) | Democratic | 14,356 | 60.25% | Crystal J. Miller | Rep. | 9,444 | 39.63% | 23,829 | 4,912 |
| 2022 | General[11] | Nov. 8 | Tod Ohnstad (inc) | Democratic | 11,035 | 61.78% | Frank Petrick | Rep. | 6,803 | 38.08% | 17,863 | 4,232 |