Jill Billings

Jill Billings (born January 19, 1962) is a former teacher, former member of the La Crosse County board of supervisors, and Democratic member of the Wisconsin State Assembly, first elected to represent the 95th district in a 2011 special election. She represents the City of La Crosse and portions of the Towns of Shelby and Campbell.

Jill Elizabeth Billings
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the 95th district
Incumbent
Assumed office November 21, 2011
Preceded by	Jennifer Shilling
Member of the Board of Supervisors of La Crosse County, Wisconsin
In office April 2004 – April 2012
Personal details
Born	(1962-01-19) January 19, 1962 (age 63) Rochester, Minnesota
Political party	Democratic
Children	2
Residence	La Crosse, Wisconsin
Alma mater	Augsburg College (BA)
Profession	Educator, legislator
Website	Official website

Early life and career

Billings was born in Rochester, Minnesota; both of her grandfathers had been candidates for mayor. She studied communication and English at Augsburg College, before moving to La Crosse in 1990. She spent seven years as a teacher of English and citizenship to Hmong immigrants.

She worked on La Crosse County's land use plan, helped established a special rehabilitation court for persons convicted of driving while intoxicated, and worked on the county's Economic Development Fund. Between 2004 and 2012, she was a member of the La Crosse County board of supervisors,^[1] becoming vice chair of the County Health and Human Services Board and head of the Family Policy Board Executive Committee.^[2]

Legislative race

On November 8, 2011, Billings was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in a special election in the 95th Assembly District (the city of La Crosse and portions of the towns of Campbell and Shelby), succeeding fellow Democrat Jennifer Shilling, who replaced Senator Dan Kapanke in the Wisconsin State Senate following a successful recall election against him. Billings took 72.5% of the vote against Republican David Drewes, a small government advocate and supporter of Governor Scott Walker. The district has elected Democrats to the Assembly consistently since 1974.^[3]

Personal life

Billings has two children, Josh and Zoe, ages 18 and 16.^[2][4]

Electoral history

Wisconsin Assembly (2011–present)

Year	Election	Date	Elected				Defeated				Total	Plurality
2011	Primary[5]	Oct. 11	Jill Billings	Democratic	2,735	51.98%	Christine J. Clair	Dem.	1,681	31.95%	5,262	1,054
							Nick Charles	Dem.	431	8.19%
							David Krump	Dem.	415	7.89%
	Special[6]	Nov. 8	Jill Billings	Democratic	5,940	72.47%	David A. Drewes	Rep.	2,247	27.42%	15,596	1,150
2012	General[7]	Nov. 6	Jill Billings (inc)	Democratic	22,531	98.89%	--unopposed--				22,783	22,279
2014	General[8]	Nov. 4	Jill Billings (inc)	Democratic	17,037	100.0%					17,037	17,037
2016	General[9]	Nov. 8	Jill Billings (inc)	Democratic	23,020	100.0%					23,020	23,020
2018	General[10]	Nov. 6	Jill Billings (inc)	Democratic	21,989	100.0%					21,989	21,989
2020	General[11]	Nov. 3	Jill Billings (inc)	Democratic	19,684	65.63%	Jerome Gundersen	Rep.	10,271	34.25%	29,992	9,413
2022	General[12]	Nov. 8	Jill Billings (inc)	Democratic	16,897	66.83%	Chris Woodard	Rep.	8,366	33.09%	25,285	8,531
2024	General[13]	Nov. 5	Jill Billings (inc)	Democratic	16,461	51.99%	Cedric Schnitzler	Rep.	15,191	47.98%	31,660	1,270

References

1. "Jill Billings, La Crosse County Board of Supervisors". La Crosse County.^{[dead link‍]}
2. Hubbuch, Chris (November 6, 2011). "Special Election: Preview of 95th Assembly race: Jill Billings". La Crosse Tribune. Retrieved August 22, 2019.
3. Hubbuch, Chris (November 8, 2011). "Billings defeats Drewes". La Crosse Tribune. Retrieved August 22, 2019.
4. Hubbuch, Chris (November 9, 2011). "Billings win by a landslide". La Crosse Tribune. Retrieved August 22, 2019.
5. 95th Assembly Special Primary (Report). Wisconsin Government Accountability Board. October 17, 2011. p. 1. Retrieved October 17, 2024 – via Wisconsin Historical Society.
6. Canvass Results for 2011 Special Election Assembly 95 - 11/8/2011 (Report). Wisconsin Government Accountability Board. November 15, 2011. p. 1. Retrieved October 17, 2024 – via Wisconsin Historical Society.
7. Canvass Results for 2012 Presidential and General Election - 11/6/2012 (Report). Wisconsin Government Accountability Board. December 26, 2012. p. 31. Retrieved October 17, 2024 – via Wisconsin Historical Society.
8. Canvass Results for 2014 General Election - 11/4/2014 (Report). Wisconsin Government Accountability Board. November 26, 2014. p. 30. Retrieved October 17, 2024 – via Wisconsin Elections Commission.
9. Canvass Results for 2016 General Election - 11/8/2016 (Report). Wisconsin Elections Commission. December 22, 2016. p. 30. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
10. Canvass Results for 2018 General Election - 11/6/2018 (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Elections Commission. February 22, 2019. p. 32. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
11. Canvass Results for 2020 General Election - 11/3/2020 (Report). Wisconsin Elections Commission. February 22, 2019. p. 32. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
12. Canvass Results for 2022 General Election – 11/8/2022 (Report). Wisconsin Elections Commission. November 21, 2022. p. 31. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
13. County by County Report - 2024 General Election (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Elections Commission. November 27, 2024. p. 95. Retrieved November 30, 2024.

External links

• Wisconsin Assembly - Representative Jill Billings official government website
• Billings for Assembly official campaign website