Jodene Emerson (born August 3, 1972) is an American activist and Democratic politician. She represents the city of Eau Claire in the Wisconsin State Assembly.
Jodi Emerson | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the 91st district | |
| Assumed office January 7, 2019 | |
| Preceded by | Dana Wachs |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 3, 1972 Eau Claire, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Julian |
| Children | 2 |
| Residence | Eau Claire, Wisconsin |
| Alma mater | University of Wisconsin-River Falls (attended) |
| Website | Official website |
Early life, education, and family
editEmerson was born and raised in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and graduated from Memorial High School. Emerson attended University of Wisconsin–River Falls for two years before starting a family. Emerson is married to Eau Claire Leader-Telegram reporter Julian Emerson and has two adult daughters. She has been a PTA president and Girl Scout troop leader.
Career
editEmerson has been an adjunct instructor on human trafficking topics at the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire.[1]
Emerson was a legal assistant in a law office and worked as the Director of Public Policy and Community Relations for Fierce Freedom, a nonprofit advocacy organization that worked to address human trafficking. Emerson has been an anti-trafficking advocate and author of a number of successful bipartisan pieces of legislation, including Senate Bill 344, Senate Bill 396, Senate Bill 618, Assembly Bill 16, Assembly Bill 186, Assembly Bill 435, and Act 367.[2][3][4]
Emerson also developed a statewide program to train hotel workers to spot the signs of human trafficking and co-chaired the development of the statewide community response protocol on human trafficking.[5][6][7] In 2015, Emerson was appointed to serve on Wisconsin's Anti Human Trafficking Task Force.[8] Emerson has also been a member of the Wisconsin Anti-Trafficking Consortium and the Wisconsin Anti-Trafficking Advisory Council, serving as a frequent guest speaker and panelists at churches, schools and libraries across the midwest.[9]
Wisconsin State Assembly
editIn March 2018, Emerson announced her run for District 91 of the Wisconsin State Assembly. The seat was held by Dana Wachs at the time, but was he was not seeking reelection due to his run for governor.[10] Emerson was endorsed by EMILY's List, Fair Wisconsin, Citizen Action of Wisconsin, State Senator La Tonya Johnson, State Representative Jill Billings, former State Representative Kristen Dexter, and the Wisconsin Chapter of the National Organization for Women.[11]
Emerson currently serves on the following committees in the Wisconsin State Assembly:
- Committee on Aging and Long-Term Care
- Committee on Colleges and Universities
- Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety
- Committee on Family Law
- Committee on International Affairs/Commerce
Electoral history
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Election[12] | |||||
| Democratic | Jodi Emerson | 2,648 | 37.10 | ||
| Democratic | Thomas Vue | 1,890 | 26.48 | ||
| Democratic | Eric Larson | 1,778 | 24.91 | ||
| Democratic | Rich Postlewaite | 814 | 11.40 | ||
| Write-ins | 8 | 0.11 | |||
| Total votes | 7,138 | 100.0 | |||
| General Election[13] | |||||
| Democratic | Jodi Emerson | 17,512 | 66.47 | ||
| Republican | Echo Reardon | 8,798 | 33.39 | ||
| Write-ins | 37 | 0.14 | |||
| Total votes | 26,347 | 100.0 | |||
| Democratic hold | |||||
Notes
edit- ^ "Human Trafficking in Wisconsin: Next Steps for Professionals". Continuing Education. University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
- ^ Kravinsky, Nina (9 February 2015). "Recent events bring light to Wisconsin's human trafficking problem". Retrieved 3 March 2018.
- ^ Opoien, Jessie (9 February 2016). "Stalking, domestic abuse and human trafficking protection bill headed to Scott Walker's desk". The Cap Times. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
- ^ "E-Update". State Representative Kathy Bernier. State of Wisconsin. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
- ^ O'Neill, Madalyn (19 May 2017). "Group training hotel staff to spot signs of human trafficking". News 8000 WKBT. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
- ^ Bringe, Jessica (8 May 2017). ""Be Aware" campaign combats Chippewa Valley human trafficking". WEAU 13 News. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
- ^ Kremer, Rich (9 May 2017). "Non-Profit Advocacy Group Fierce Freedom Says Workers Can Be Eyes, Ears Of Law Enforcement". Wisconsin Public Radio. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
- ^ "Wisconsin Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force Membership" (PDF). Wisconsin Department of Children and Families. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
- ^ Macek, Katy (11 January 2018). "Speaker: Sex trafficking occurs more frequently than many think". Leader Telegram. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
- ^ Sarafin, Claire (2 March 2018). "Eau Claire's Jodi Emerson announces run for WI Assembly". WQOW News 18. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
- ^ "ENDORSEMENTS | EmersonforAssembly". Emerson For Assembly | Jodi. Retrieved 2018-08-16.
- ^ Canvass Results for 2018 Partisan Primary (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin State Elections Board. August 14, 2018. p. 104. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
- ^ Canvass Results for 2018 General Election (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin State Elections Board. November 6, 2018. p. 31. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 7, 2020. Retrieved October 20, 2020.