Joseph E. Tregoning (May 26, 1941 – October 10, 2019) was an American dairy farmer, businessman, and Republican politician from Shullsburg, Wisconsin.
[4] Tregoning decided to run again in the special election to succeed him and serve out the remainder of his term in the 78th Wisconsin Legislature.
Tregoning again faced two opponents in the Republican primary, and prevailed narrowly over Monroe businessman Robert E.
[5] He easily prevailed in the April special election, defeating Democratic dairy farmer Thomas W.
In 1990, Wisconsin agriculture secretary Howard C. Richards announced his plan to retire and Tregoning decided to seek the office.
Tregoning was one of three finalists, along with former Republican legislator James Harsdorf and Alan Tracy, a close aide of the outgoing secretary.
[25] Tracy and Tregoning served together for over 7 years, and during that time the governor was given authority to directly appoint the secretary.
When that change occurred, in 1995, then-governor Tommy Thompson considered replacing Tracy with a political appointee, but deferred.
Tregoning took over as acting secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, and served in that capacity until Governor Thompson appointed a successor in November.
[27] Tregoning accepted the demotion to assistant to new secretary James Harsdorf and was later assigned administrator of the division of agricultural development.
After working in Joe's office during the 1967 session, Jeanne was hired as a staffer on the Kellett Commission on reorganization of state government.
[2] After leaving the Department of Agriculture, Tregoning largely stayed out of public affairs, but did weigh in occasionally to support candidates, including his friend former governor Tommy Thompson in his 2012 U.S. Senate campaign.