Joan Ballweg
Joan Ballweg ("née" Gottinger; born March 16, 1952) is an American politician and legislator, currently serving in the Wisconsin State Senate, representing the 14th senatorial district. She previously served eight terms in the Wisconsin State Assembly and was Mayor of Markesan, Wisconsin. She is a member of the Republican Party. Early life and education. Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, she graduated from Nathan Hale High School in 1970 before attending the University of Wisconsin–Waukesha and receiving a B.A. from the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point in 1974. She is married to Tom Ballweg, with whom she has four  children. Career. Ballweg worked as a first grade teacher from 1974 to 1976 in Memphis, Tennessee. She started Ballweg Implement Company, Inc. in December 1976 with her husband, Tom. Ballweg served as an alderperson on the Markesan, Wisconsin, Common Council from 1986 to 1989 and was the city's mayor from 1990 to 1996. Ballweg was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2004 and reelected seven times, serving until 2020. She served on the following committees in the Assembly: Chair of Labor & Workforce Development, Colleges and Universities and State Affairs and Homeland Security. She also served as co-chair  of the Joint Legislative Council and as a member of the Wisconsin Building Commission. In addition to her legislative assignments, she is a member of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region V Advisory Council. In 2020, she was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate replacing retiring state senator Luther Olsen.