Theodore Kanavas
Encyclopedia
Theodore "Ted" Kanavas is an American
politician and former member of the Wisconsin State Senate
, representing the state's thirty-third district. He is a member of the Republican Party of Wisconsin
.
Kanavas was raised in Brookfield, Wisconsin
and graduated from Brookfield East High School
. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin–Madison
in 1983. While attending the school, Kanavas worked as an aide to Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner
. Kanavas subsequently attended Pepperdine University
's school of law.
For the past seventeen years Kanavas has worked in the software industry
.
Kanavas was elected to the school board for Elmbrook School District
in 1999, and served until 2002. In July 2001, he was elected to the State Senate in a special election, defeating Democrat Dawn Marie Sass
, and he was re-elected in 2002. He also won re-election in 2006 defeating Democratic candidate Andrew Stiffler by nearly 25,000 votes.
Kanavas is known for his efforts to promote job creation and economic development. His legislative successes include passage of the Broadband Deployment Act, the Angel Investment
tax credits (known as Act 255) and passage of his Film Wisconsin tax credit bill allowing movie and television production companies to claim a tax credit for work done in Wisconsin. In January 2008, the Michael Mann film Public Enemies starring Johnny Depp
became the first production to take advantage of Wisconsin's film tax credits.
Kanavas attends the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church
and coaches his son's youth baseball team. He and his wife, Mary, have three children; Kelly, Nick and Kate.
On January 25, 2010, Senator Kanavas announced he will not seek reelection. After briefly considering a challenge against United States Senator Russ Feingold
, Kanavas decided against entering the race.
Following the announcement that long-time Senator Herb Kohl
would not seek reelection in the US Senate in 2012
, Kanavas was immediately mentioned by the media as a possible Republican contender for the Senate seat. On September 29, 2011, Kanavas announced he would not run for the seat citing concerns that former Governor Tommy Thompson
's entrance in the race would tie up too many resources.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician and former member of the Wisconsin State Senate
Wisconsin State Senate
The Wisconsin Senate, the powers of which are modeled after those of the U.S. Senate, is the upper house of the Wisconsin State Legislature, smaller than the Wisconsin State Assembly...
, representing the state's thirty-third district. He is a member of the Republican Party of Wisconsin
Republican Party of Wisconsin
The Republican Party of Wisconsin is the Wisconsin affiliate of the United States Republican Party . The state party chair is Brad Courtney...
.
Kanavas was raised in Brookfield, Wisconsin
Brookfield, Wisconsin
Brookfield is a city located in Waukesha County, Wisconsin, United States. It had a population of 37,920 in the 2010 census. Brookfield is the second largest city in Waukesha County, and the leading commercial suburb of Milwaukee. The City of Brookfield was formed in 1954 from the Town of...
and graduated from Brookfield East High School
Brookfield East High School
Brookfield East High School is a comprehensive four-year public secondary school located in Brookfield, Wisconsin. The school is part of the Elmbrook School District, and is accredited by the North Central Association. Its rival is Brookfield Central High School, also located in Brookfield.The...
. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin–Madison
University of Wisconsin–Madison
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is a public research university located in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. Founded in 1848, UW–Madison is the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System. It became a land-grant institution in 1866...
in 1983. While attending the school, Kanavas worked as an aide to Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner
Jim Sensenbrenner
Frank James Sensenbrenner, Jr. is an American politician who has been a member of the Republican Party in the United States House of Representatives since 1979, representing . The district, the state's richest, includes many of Milwaukee's northern and western suburbs, and extends into rural...
. Kanavas subsequently attended Pepperdine University
Pepperdine University
Pepperdine University is an independent, private, medium-sized university affiliated with the Churches of Christ. The university's campus overlooking the Pacific Ocean in unincorporated Los Angeles County, California, United States, near Malibu, is the location for Seaver College, the School of...
's school of law.
For the past seventeen years Kanavas has worked in the software industry
Software industry
The software industry includes businesses involved in the development, maintenance and publication of computer software using any business model...
.
Kanavas was elected to the school board for Elmbrook School District
Elmbrook School District
The Elmbrook School District serves the communities of Elm Grove, Brookfield, Wisconsin and a small portion of New Berlin, Wisconsin.-Board of education:-Elementary:* Brookfield Elementary* Burleigh Elementary* Dixon Elementary* Hillside Elementary...
in 1999, and served until 2002. In July 2001, he was elected to the State Senate in a special election, defeating Democrat Dawn Marie Sass
Dawn Marie Sass
Dawn Marie Sass was the State Treasurer of Wisconsin, 2007-2011. Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Sass graduated from St. Mary's Academy and from University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. She did graduate work at National-Louis University. She defeated incumbent Jack Voight on November 7, 2006...
, and he was re-elected in 2002. He also won re-election in 2006 defeating Democratic candidate Andrew Stiffler by nearly 25,000 votes.
Kanavas is known for his efforts to promote job creation and economic development. His legislative successes include passage of the Broadband Deployment Act, the Angel Investment
Angel investor
An angel investor or angel is an affluent individual who provides capital for a business start-up, usually in exchange for convertible debt or ownership equity...
tax credits (known as Act 255) and passage of his Film Wisconsin tax credit bill allowing movie and television production companies to claim a tax credit for work done in Wisconsin. In January 2008, the Michael Mann film Public Enemies starring Johnny Depp
Johnny Depp
John Christopher "Johnny" Depp II is an American actor, producer and musician. He has won the Golden Globe Award and Screen Actors Guild award for Best Actor. Depp rose to prominence on the 1980s television series 21 Jump Street, becoming a teen idol...
became the first production to take advantage of Wisconsin's film tax credits.
Kanavas attends the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church
Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church
Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, USA, was designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright in 1956, and completed in 1962. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The church is one of Wright's last works; construction was completed after his death. Its shallow...
and coaches his son's youth baseball team. He and his wife, Mary, have three children; Kelly, Nick and Kate.
On January 25, 2010, Senator Kanavas announced he will not seek reelection. After briefly considering a challenge against United States Senator Russ Feingold
Russ Feingold
Russell Dana "Russ" Feingold is an American politician from the U.S. state of Wisconsin. He served as a Democratic party member of the U.S. Senate from 1993 to 2011. From 1983 to 1993, Feingold was a Wisconsin State Senator representing the 27th District.He is a recipient of the John F...
, Kanavas decided against entering the race.
Following the announcement that long-time Senator Herb Kohl
Herb Kohl
Herbert H. "Herb" Kohl is the senior U.S. Senator from Wisconsin and a member of the Democratic Party. He is also a philanthropist and the owner of the Milwaukee Bucks National Basketball Association team...
would not seek reelection in the US Senate in 2012
United States Senate election in Wisconsin, 2012
The 2012 United States Senate election in Wisconsin will take place on November 6, 2012 alongside a U.S. presidential election as well as other elections to the United States Senate and House of Representatives and various state and local elections. Incumbent Democratic U.S...
, Kanavas was immediately mentioned by the media as a possible Republican contender for the Senate seat. On September 29, 2011, Kanavas announced he would not run for the seat citing concerns that former Governor Tommy Thompson
Tommy Thompson
Thomas George "Tommy" Thompson , a United States Republican politician, was the 42nd Governor of Wisconsin, after which he served as U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services. Thompson was a candidate for the 2008 U.S. Presidential Election, but dropped out early after a poor performance in polls...
's entrance in the race would tie up too many resources.
External links
- Citizen Legislator Ted Kanavas' Blog
- Follow the Money - Theodore J Kanavas