Contact: Aaron Collins, 608.266.2254
(MADISON) Representative Gordon Hintz (D-Oshkosh) released the following statement after former Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager passed away earlier today.
“It was with great sadness that I learned of the passing of my friend, Peg Lautenschlager. Peg was a friend, mentor and an inspiring public servant who never lost sight of her advocacy for the people. Her strength, tenacity, and kindness were evident in her nearly 30 years of public service. She worked tirelessly for the people of northeast Wisconsin and then all of Wisconsin, and championed our values.
“Apparently I knew Peg since I was a toddler, because she reminded me and everyone else in the room every single time we were together. As a friend, Peg always took the time to listen and provide feedback and was the same person in public as she was in private. Peg was so down-to-earth and real, it could be easy for some to overlook how brilliant she was. I will carry with me the lessons I learned from Peg throughout my career. Wisconsin has lost a giant and she will be dearly missed. My deepest condolences to her family during this difficult time.”
Lautenschlager broke down barriers throughout her career, spanning over 30 years of public service. She was the first woman District Attorney in Winnebago County. She was later appointed as the US Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin and served in the State Assembly from 1989 until 1993. Lautenschlager was elected as the first female Attorney General in Wisconsin history in 2002. In July 2016, she was appointed as the first commissioner of the newly formed Ethics Commission.