E.C. Native Godlewski is Wisconsin’s New Secretary of State -…

In a constitutional workplace that has been held by fewer than 30 people since 1848, Godlewski can be solely the third lady in Wisconsin state historical past to function Secretary of State. Glenn Sensible made Wisconsin state historical past as the primary lady to function Secretary of State when she was appointed by former Governor Walter J. Kohler Jr. in 1955. Vel Phillips was the second lady to function Secretary of State—in 1978, she turned the primary lady ever to be elected to the place and the primary African American elected to statewide workplace in Wisconsin.

“Secretary of State La Follette’s retirement after greater than 40 years of state service leaves an extremely necessary position to fill, and I need to thank him for his years of dedication to the folks of Wisconsin all through his lengthy profession,” stated Gov. Evers. “In a vital place that has seen no turnover in a long time, sustaining continuity with a pacesetter who’s ready and dedicated to fulfilling this workplace’s constitutional obligations couldn’t be extra necessary—and there’s no yet another uniquely certified or higher fitted to the job than Sarah.”

Godlewski, who most just lately served as Wisconsin State Treasurer from 2019 to 2023 earlier than deciding to not search re-election to the workplace, is not any stranger to state constitutional workplace roles and obligations. In 2018, Godlewski led the combat to guard the constitutional workplace of the state treasurer and to “save the state’s fiscal watchdog” as a constitutional modification abolishing the workplace altogether was set to be put earlier than Wisconsin voters for closing approval. The trouble was finally and soundly rejected by greater than 60 % of Wisconsin voters in April 2018. Later that yr, in November 2018, Godlewski was elected to the workplace she helped save, profitable her first-ever marketing campaign for public workplace.

“The folks of Wisconsin positioned their belief and religion in Sarah’s expertise and values to function our state treasurer, and he or she’ll deliver those self same qualities to her new position as Wisconsin’s Secretary of State. Sarah will deliver unparalleled management and imaginative and prescient as a tenacious advocate who’s keen about making good, sound monetary selections that defend our state’s future, and I’m excited to proceed our work collectively over the following 4 years,” Gov. Evers stated.

The Wisconsin State Treasurer is a constitutional officer charged with serving to handle state belief funds, executing sure monetary devices and checks, and selling transparency inside the unclaimed property program. As state treasurer, Godlewski labored to revitalize the treasurer’s position because the state’s chief monetary officer, pushing to revive confidence within the workplace’s fiscal administration and reinstate the obligations and powers that had been eliminated or transferred as a part of the decades-long effort to slowly dismantle the workplace. As well as, Godlewski additionally helped launch a homeownership community designed to empower Wisconsinites to purchase and keep of their houses and advocated for creating a baby financial savings account program referred to as 401(Okay)ids.

In 2019, Gov. Evers additionally appointed Godlewski to chair the Governor’s Job Pressure on Retirement Safety, created by Govt Order #45, charged with growing new methods to handle rising issues for Wisconsin’s ageing inhabitants and lack of retirement financial savings and safety, establish obstacles to retirement financial savings and planning, and promote consciousness about monetary sustainability and solvency. The Job Pressure on Retirement Safety’s closing report is accessible right here.

“It was a privilege to serve the folks of Wisconsin as state treasurer for 4 years, and I’m humbled that Gov. Evers has referred to as upon me to function secretary of state,” Godlewski stated. “To turn out to be simply the third lady in our state’s historical past to carry this workplace is the glory of a lifetime. I understand how necessary this position is and my obligations are, and I’m wanting ahead to attending to work.” 

The Wisconsin Secretary of State is a constitutional officer charged with sustaining official legislative and gubernatorial acts and affixing the Nice Seal of Wisconsin to all official acts of the governor. Moreover, and importantly, the Secretary of State additionally serves on the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands (BCPL), one among Wisconsin’s oldest businesses. Godlewski brings unparalleled expertise to BCPL, having already served on the board in her capability as state treasurer. The BCPL, established by the Wisconsin Structure, has a number of key obligations, together with holding title to almost 77,000 acres of college belief lands and managing 4 belief funds totaling greater than $1 billion in property, together with the Widespread Faculty Fund, the web earnings of that are distributed yearly to public college districts.

The daughter of two public college lecturers, Godlewski is a fifth-generation Wisconsinite, born and raised in Eau Claire, who realized at an early age the significance of public service. Previous to her time in state authorities, Godlewski labored for nearly a decade on the Pentagon. She was co-founder of MaSa Companions, an impression funding agency that funds early-stage companies; and a co-founder of WE Capital Fund, which empowers feminine entrepreneurs by financing alternatives. Godlewski, in 2022, ran for the U.S. Senate, advocating for insurance policies vital for Wisconsin households, together with reproductive healthcare, reasonably priced baby care, and paid household go away. 

Godlewski’s appointment is efficient March 18, 2023, and can fill the rest of La Follette’s four-year time period ending in January 2027. La Follette’s retirement letter is accessible right here. Further biographical particulars for La Follette and Godlewski can be found within the 2021-22 Wisconsin Blue Ebook accessible right here.