Here’s a quick listing, from their legislative webpages’ (rather than campaign websites’) biographies. The differences in style are evident. I’ve started here because these descriptions are more ordinary, less eye-catching, than what one sees in their campaigns. These are the biographies one writes in a quiet moment, so to speak.
Representative Evan Wynn is a retired Master Sergeant from the U.S. Army. He served in the military for a combined 22 years, first as a Marine, then as a paratrooper in the Army. He was stationed in over 30 countries around the world during his career, including a combat tour in Iraq. He retired in 2006.
His awards include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Commendation Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Achievement Medal with 8 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Humanitarian Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal (1 Star), Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, And the Australian Parachutist Badge.
Representative Wynn is a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (the VFW) serving as Post Commander in Whitewater and the 1st District Senior Vice Commander. He is also a member of the American Legion, the 82nd Airborne Division Association, and the Disabled American Veterans Post #39. He also serves as the President of the Whitewater Breakfast Kiwanis club.
He is a member of Faith Community Church in Fort Atkinson, and has been happily married to his wife, Annette, for over 20 years. They have one daughter, Michelle.
Representative Wynn represents the 43rd Assembly District, which covers the City of Whitewater, and most of western rural Rock County. He was first elected this past November and is serving his first term.
In the legislature, Representative Wynn serves on the Assembly Colleges & Universities Committee and Education Committee, and is Vice Chair of the Veterans & Military Affairs Committee.
Born Berlin, September 10, 1967; married; 3 children. Graduate Omro H.S. 1986; Brown Institute (MN) 1987. Assembly line operator, General Motors, Janesville. Former morning radio personality, assembly line operator, UAW shop steward, General Motors Janesville, worked on family dairy farm. Bd. member: Respite Care Assn. of Wis.;Wis. Literacy Council; Jefferson Co. Local Emergency Planning Council; Jefferson Co. Agribusiness Club. Member: Jefferson Co. Farm Bureau; Trinity Lutheran Church, Fort Atkinson; Fort Atkinson FFA Alumni; Chamber of Commerce. Former member: UAW Local 95; UAW Local CAP; UAW Public Relations Committee (chp.); Cub Scout leader Pack 137; Jefferson Co. Labor Council; Fort Fest, Inc. (chp. of exec. bd.).
Elected to Assembly 2006; reelected since 2008.
Tomorrow: A look at biographical campaign flyers, rather than official biographies, from both candidates. It’s there that one sees, even more than these reference-style biographies, how the candidates want to be seen.