State Sen. Kreitlow Elected Senate President Pro Tempore

Last modified: Wednesday, November 12, 2008 4:05 PM CST

State Sen. Kreitlow Elected Senate President Pro Tempore

By The Chippewa Herald

State Sen. Pat Kreitlow (D-Chippewa Falls) was elected President Pro Tempore of the Senate Tuesday by the Democratic Caucus.

Kreitlow, who is in his first term in the Senate, was urged by Senate Democrats to run for the position.

“I was honored to be approached by so many of my colleagues about this position,” Kreitlow said in a press release. “Their support gives me a great opportunity to give the Chippewa Valley and rural Wisconsin a stronger voice in the decisions made here in Madison.”

The president pro tempore is a formal officer of the Senate and a leader in the Senate Democratic Caucus. As president pro tempore, Kreitlow would also be responsible for presiding over the Senate if the president is unable to.

“Senator Kreitlow is a great addition to our leadership team,” said Senator Bob Jauch (D-Poplar). “During his brief time in the Senate, he has proven to be a very effective legislator with a strong grasp of how the Senate works. I have no doubt that he will serve us well in this new position.”