Ron Kind (born March 16, 1963) is an American politician from the U.S. state of Wisconsin. He has served as a Democratic member of Congress since 1997 Kind is a native of La Crosse, Wisconsin. He was first elected in the 3rd Congressional District of Wisconsin (map) in November 1996. He currently serves on the Education and the Workforce, Resources, and Budget Committees. He is also on the Education Reform and 21st Century Competitiveness Subcommittees and is the Ranking Member Member on the Energy and Mineral Resources Subcommittee. His other (non committee) titles are the Democratic Chief Deputy Whip, co-founder of the Upper Mississippi River Congressional Caucus and is a co-chair of the New Democrat Coalition.
Kind was born and raised in western Wisconsin. He is the third of five children born to Greta and Elroy Kind, and the fifth generation of his family to live in the area. Mrs. Kind formerly worked as the Assistant Director of Personnel in the La Crosse School District. Mr. Kind had a 35-year career as a telephone repairman and union leader at the La Crosse Telephone Company.
Kind attended the public schools in La Crosse and became a standout student athlete at Logan High School in both football and basketball. He accepted a scholarship to Harvard University where he graduated with honors in 1985. While attending Harvard, Kind played quarterback on the football team and worked during the summer with Wisconsin Senator William Proxmire in Washington. In Proxmire's office he helped investigate waste, which provided the basis for some of the Senator's famous Golden Fleece awards.
Kind went on to receive a Master's Degree from the London School of Economics and a Law Degree from the University of Minnesota Law School. He practiced law for two years at the law firm of Quarles and Brady in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Kind returned to his hometown of La Crosse to become a county prosecutor, later serving as special prosecutor in numerous counties throughout western Wisconsin.
In September of 1995, Kind announced his intention to run for the 3rd Congressional District seat being vacated by 16-year incumbent Steve Gunderson. He later won a five-person race for the Democratic nomination and went on to defeat his Republican opponent 52
o 48ŕIn 2004 he won with 57f the vote.
Ron and his wife Tawni, live in his hometown of La Crosse. Tawni is an official court reporter for the County Court system. They have two sons, Johnny (born in August 1996) and Matthew (born in May 1998). They are members of the Immanuel Lutheran Church. Ron is a member of the La Crosse Optimists Club, and a leader in the Boys' and Girls' Club, and the La Crosse YMCA. He is also on the Board of Directors for Coulee Council on Alcohol or Other Drug Abuse. Tawni organizes the annual Congressional Art Competition for high school artists in western Wisconsin.
