Underheim's Last Days

Underheim quietly ends nearly 20 years in Assembly

By Bethany K. Warner of The Northwestern

Gregg Underheim won't miss the knocking on doors, the fund-raising, or editorials about what he's doing – or not doing – in Madison.

What he said he will miss come January, when his nearly 20 years as the state Assembly Representative for the 54th district ends, is having influence in areas that concern him.

"My opinion matters on stuff that I care about," Underheim said, "I don't have that anymore."

Underheim, who was first elected in a special election in 1987, announced in early 2006 that he would not seek reelection this fall, opening the door for a new representative, Democrat Gordon Hintz, to win the seat.

Underheim said his decision not to seek reelection was in large part based on Northwestern editorials that, he said, would bring "pointed criticism" no matter what issue was brought up.

"It wasn't worth the hassle," Underheim said. "It wasn't worth the stress."

He said also that knocking on doors during campaigns was draining.

Knocking on doors though, is what won Underheim the seat in the first place and likely kept him in office.

"I think he was elected and reelected in a district that has been trending Democratic because he spent so much time in the district. He was really exceptional at maintaining contact with constituents of this district. During the campaign, you'd see him everywhere. That tended to build up a great deal of good will that he could call upon when he was seeking reelection," said Jim Simmons, a political science professor at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.

Early on, Underheim said he realized that to stand out in the Assembly, he needed to become a specialist in certain area. Underheim picked the healthcare marketplace and ended up serving on the Assembly Health Committee since 1989, and as chairman since 1995.

One of the things that Underheim is most proud of having accomplished during his time in Madison was the health care transparency legislation that required more data about healthcare cost and quality to be made public.

"Had I not been in the legislature, I don't think we'd be there today," Underheim said.

Sen. Luther Olsen, R-Ripon, who worked with Underheim in the Assembly, said the transparency bill was hard legislation to push.

"It was a tough battle. He had to take on some pretty heavy hitters," Olsen said. "He was very passionate about what he believed in. He could play hardball with the best of them."

Underheim teamed up with Sen. Carol Roessler, R-Oshkosh, often. In addition to having overlapping districts, Roessler also chaired the Senate health committee, bringing them to work together more.

"He will be missed in regards to healthcare. I think he was really innovative and had great ideas. I'm really sorry those won't be pursued anymore," said Michelle Litjens, the chair of the Winnebago County Republican Party.

Roessler, who's election to the state Senate opened up the Assembly seat that Underheim held, said that he was a good legislator to work with.

"He was willing to work hard for the job. He understood what it would take for the electorate to know him and feel comfortable with him. He knew it would take a lot of footwork. He was eager to learn. He had an energy, dedicated to learning the issues," Roessler said.

Though they come from different political persuasion, Hintz said he's enjoyed talking or debating about issues with Underheim. Hintz lost to Underheim in his first bid for the seat in 2004.

"I think Gregg has always been professional in terms of where he stood. When he gave his word on what he was going to do, he stayed pretty consistent," Hintz said.

Ending his time in the legislature, Underheim was hoping to go to work for the University of Wisconsin system, but thinks now he may become a lobbyist.

This fall, Underheim broke ranks with the Republicans, speaking against the definition of marriage amendment.

"Any time you wind up voting against the majority of your party, it takes somebody to stand up and say what you believe. That's the sign of somebody who has the convictions of their beliefs," Olsen said.

While it frustrated some Republicans, Litjens said Underheim was cordial even when there was a disagreement.

"I think a lot of people respected him for that. You could disagree on one issue and agree on some many others, it didn't matter," Litjens said.

Image borrowed from the Oshkosh Northwestern PIC, Photo by Andy Manis

Posted December 27, 2006

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