Peg Lautenschlager

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Peg Lautenschlager
BornPeggy Ann Lautenschlager
11/22/1955
BirthplaceFond du Lac, Wisconsin, U.S.
Died3/31/2018
Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
OccupationAttorney, politician
Known forFirst woman to serve as Attorney General of Wisconsin
EducationUniversity of Wisconsin (JD)
Spouse(s)Bill Rippl
Children5

Peggy Ann "Peg" Lautenschlager (November 22, 1955 – March 31, 2018) was an American attorney and Democratic politician from Wisconsin who held a series of increasingly prominent legal and political offices over a career spanning more than three decades. She served as Winnebago County District Attorney from 1985 to 1989, represented the 52nd district in the Wisconsin State Assembly from 1989 to 1993, served as United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin from 1993 to 2001 under President Bill Clinton, and was the 42nd Attorney General of Wisconsin from 2003 to 2007 under Governor Jim Doyle. Lautenschlager was the first woman to serve as Attorney General of Wisconsin.[1] Following her tenure as attorney general, she served as the first chair of the Wisconsin Ethics Commission from 2016 to 2017.[2] A native of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, Lautenschlager spent her career in public service advocating for consumers, prosecuting criminal cases, and building legal institutions. She died on March 31, 2018, at the age of 62, following a battle with osteosarcoma and breast cancer.[3] Her son, Josh Kaul, was elected as Wisconsin Attorney General in 2018 and re-elected in 2022.[1]

Early Life

Peggy Ann Lautenschlager was born on November 22, 1955, in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.[1] She grew up in the Fond du Lac area and maintained ties to the community throughout her life, ultimately making it her permanent residence.[4] Her father was Milton Lautenschlager, who was also a resident of Fond du Lac.[5]

Fond du Lac, located at the southern tip of Lake Winnebago in east-central Wisconsin, was a community that shaped Lautenschlager's commitment to public service and the law. She would return to the city repeatedly throughout her career, even as her professional responsibilities took her to Madison and other parts of the state.

Education

Lautenschlager attended Lake Forest College, a private liberal arts institution in Lake Forest, Illinois, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree.[6] She subsequently pursued her legal education at the University of Wisconsin, where she earned her Juris Doctor (JD) degree.[6] Her legal training at the University of Wisconsin prepared her for a career in public law that would span county, state, and federal levels of government.

Career

Winnebago County District Attorney

Lautenschlager began her career in public office when she was appointed as the District Attorney of Winnebago County by Governor Tony Earl in July 1985.[6] She succeeded Dee Dyer in the position and served as the county's chief prosecutor until December 1988.[6] During her tenure as district attorney, Lautenschlager gained experience in criminal prosecution and courtroom litigation that would serve as a foundation for her subsequent career in law and politics. She was succeeded in the position by Joseph Paulus.[6]

Wisconsin State Assembly

In 1988, Lautenschlager won election to the Wisconsin State Assembly, representing the 52nd district. She took office on January 1, 1989, succeeding Earl F. McEssy.[6] As a member of the State Assembly, Lautenschlager served in the state legislature during a period of significant policy debate in Wisconsin. She represented her district for two terms, serving until January 1, 1993.[6] Her time in the legislature provided her with experience in the legislative process and public policy that complemented her legal background. She was succeeded in the Assembly by John P. Dobyns.[6]

United States Attorney

Following her service in the state legislature, Lautenschlager was appointed by President Bill Clinton as the United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin. She assumed the position on October 18, 1993, succeeding Kevin C. Potter.[7] As the chief federal prosecutor for the western half of Wisconsin, Lautenschlager oversaw the prosecution of federal criminal cases and represented the interests of the United States government in the district.

During her tenure as U.S. Attorney, Lautenschlager was involved in significant federal law enforcement activities. In November 1995, she participated in a major federal initiative as part of the Department of Justice's efforts in the Western District of Wisconsin.[8] She served in the position for nearly eight years, one of the longer tenures for a U.S. Attorney in the district. Lautenschlager left the position on April 27, 2001, and was succeeded by J. B. Van Hollen, who would later also succeed her as Attorney General of Wisconsin.[6]

Attorney General of Wisconsin

In 2002, Lautenschlager ran for the office of Attorney General of Wisconsin and won the election as the Democratic candidate. She took office on January 6, 2003, succeeding Jim Doyle, who had been elected Governor of Wisconsin.[1] Lautenschlager made history as the first woman to serve as Attorney General of Wisconsin, breaking a barrier in a position that had been held exclusively by men since the state's founding in 1848.[9]

As Attorney General, Lautenschlager served as the state's chief legal officer, overseeing the Wisconsin Department of Justice and its various divisions. Her office handled criminal appeals, consumer protection cases, and legal counsel for state agencies. During her tenure, she was involved in matters concerning real estate regulation and consumer protection.[10]

Lautenschlager's tenure as Attorney General was not without controversy. In February 2004, she was arrested for drunk driving after being stopped by police in Dodge County, Wisconsin. She was driving a state-owned vehicle at the time of the incident.[11] She was subsequently found guilty of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated.[12] The incident drew significant public attention and criticism, and Lautenschlager acknowledged the impact it had on her family. She stated publicly that telling her family about the arrest was the hardest part of the experience.[13]

The drunk driving conviction became a significant political issue during her reelection campaign. Lautenschlager sought the Democratic nomination for attorney general in 2006 but was defeated in the primary election. She left office on January 3, 2007, and was succeeded by J. B. Van Hollen, a Republican who had previously succeeded her as U.S. Attorney.[1]

Post-Attorney General Career

After leaving the attorney general's office, Lautenschlager continued her involvement in legal and public affairs in Wisconsin. She was recognized by the United States Congress for her career in public service. In June 2015, a tribute to Lautenschlager was entered into the Congressional Record in the Extensions of Remarks section, acknowledging her contributions to the state and nation.[14]

Lautenschlager also engaged in public policy discussions through various platforms. She participated in programming on PBS, contributing to public discourse on legal and political matters in Wisconsin.[15] Additionally, she contributed to publications examining policy issues affecting the state.[16]

Wisconsin Ethics Commission

In March 2016, Lautenschlager was appointed to the newly created Wisconsin Ethics Commission, a body established to oversee ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance regulations in the state.[17] On July 11, 2016, she became the first chair of the commission, leading the newly established body during its formative period.[2]

As chair, Lautenschlager was responsible for guiding the commission through its initial organizational phase, establishing procedures and norms for the new regulatory body. Her extensive experience in law enforcement, legislation, and the attorney general's office made her a logical choice to lead the ethics oversight body. She served as chair until April 8, 2017, when she resigned from the position.[18] She was succeeded as chair by David R. Halbrooks.[2]

Personal Life

Lautenschlager was married to Bill Rippl and had five children, including Josh Kaul, who would follow his mother into the office of Wisconsin Attorney General.[1] She maintained her residence in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, throughout much of her life, returning to the community where she was born even as her career took her to Madison and other locations around the state.[4]

Lautenschlager was diagnosed with osteosarcoma and breast cancer. She battled the diseases in the final years of her life.[3] She died on March 31, 2018, in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, at the age of 62.[19] Her death was announced by Assembly Minority Leader Gordon Hintz and the Democratic Party of Wisconsin.[19][20]

Her obituary was published in the Fond du Lac Reporter.[21]

Legacy

Lautenschlager's career in Wisconsin public life spanned more than three decades and encompassed service at the county, state, and federal levels. Her achievement as the first woman to serve as Attorney General of Wisconsin was noted by multiple media outlets and political figures upon her death.[9][3][1] She held the distinction of being the only woman to have held that office at the time of her death in 2018.[1]

Her legacy in Wisconsin politics extended beyond her own career through her son, Josh Kaul, who was elected as Wisconsin Attorney General in the November 2018 general election, just months after his mother's death. Kaul was subsequently re-elected in 2022.[1] The succession of mother and son in the same statewide office was a notable occurrence in Wisconsin political history.

Lautenschlager's career trajectory — from county district attorney to state legislator to federal prosecutor to state attorney general to ethics commission chair — reflected a sustained commitment to public service and the administration of justice in Wisconsin. Her selection as the first chair of the Wisconsin Ethics Commission in 2016 demonstrated that her expertise and reputation continued to command respect even after she had left elected office.[22]

Upon her death, tributes came from across the political spectrum in Wisconsin. The Democratic Party of Wisconsin and legislative leaders publicly acknowledged her contributions to the state.[20][19] Media coverage of her death consistently highlighted her historic role as the first female attorney general and her long record of public service at multiple levels of government.[23][24]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 "Former state Rep. and Wisconsin Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager has died".Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.March 31, 2018.https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/2018/03/31/former-state-rep-and-wisconsin-attorney-general-peg-lautenschlager-has-died/475541002/.Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Ethics Commission Commissioners". 'Wisconsin Ethics Commission}'. Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Peg Lautenschlager, first woman to serve as Wisconsin attorney general, dies at 62".The Cap Times.March 31, 2018.https://captimes.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/election-matters/peg-lautenschlager-first-woman-to-serve-as-wisconsin-attorney-general-dies-at-62/article_704efd0e-a4b2-57f6-97c9-a92ce0278a91.html.Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Former Wisconsin AG and FDL Native Peg Lautenschlager Dies". 'KFIZ}'. March 31, 2018. Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  5. ↑ "Milton Lautenschlager Obituary". 'Legacy.com}'. Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 6.7 6.8 "Wisconsin Blue Book 2003". 'Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau}'. Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  7. ↑ "Kohl and Feingold Letter on U.S. Attorney Nominations". 'U.S. Senate Democratic Policy Committee}'. Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  8. ↑ "Department of Justice Press Release, November 1995". 'U.S. Department of Justice}'. November 1995. Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Peg Lautenschlager, Wisconsin's first female attorney general, dies at 62".WISN.March 31, 2018.https://www.wisn.com/article/former-wisconsin-ag-peg-lautenschlager-dies/19648914.Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  10. ↑ "Chairman's Corner". 'Wisconsin Realtors Association}'. February 2006. Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  11. ↑ "Attorney General Lautenschlager Arrested for OWI".The Badger Herald.February 25, 2004.https://badgerherald.com/news/2004/02/25/attorney-general-lau/.Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  12. ↑ "Wisconsin AG guilty of drunken driving".United Press International.https://www.upi.com/Wisconsin-AG-guilty-of-drunken-driving/89241077916499/.Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  13. ↑ "Lautenschlager: Telling family was hardest".WiscNews.http://www.wiscnews.com/bdc/news/local/lautenschlager-telling-family-was-hardest/article_3596912c-3bfb-5bef-b774-918b0a004807.html.Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  14. ↑ "Congressional Record - Extensions of Remarks". 'U.S. Congress}'. June 1, 2015. Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  15. ↑ "PBS Video". 'PBS}'. Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  16. ↑ "Wisconsin Policy Research Institute, May 2015". 'Wisconsin Policy Research Institute}'. May 2015. Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  17. ↑ "Former Attorney General Lautenschlager Appointed to Wisconsin Ethics Panel". 'Wisconsin Radio Network}'. March 2016. Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  18. ↑ "Ethics Commission Chairwoman Peg Lautenschlager Resigns".Wisconsin State Journal.http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/ethics-commission-chairwoman-peg-lautenschlager-resigns/article_c05c98da-0c9c-5ee3-a9b3-930ea0cbe694.html.Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 "Former State AG Peg Lautenschlager Dies At 62".Wisconsin Public Radio.March 31, 2018.https://www.wpr.org/politics/former-state-ag-peg-lautenschlager-dies-62.Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 "Former Wisconsin Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager has died".WSAW.March 31, 2018.https://www.wsaw.com/content/news/Former-Wisconsin-Attorney-General-Peg-Lautenschlager-has-died-478454823.html.Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  21. ↑ "Peg Lautenschlager Obituary". 'Legacy.com}'. Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  22. ↑ "Peg Lautenschlager, Brian Bell chosen to lead new ethics commission".Wisconsin State Journal.http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/peg-lautenschlager-brian-bell-chosen-to-lead-new-ethics-commission/article_f982331b-32fc-50ed-bc5c-233582c8383b.html.Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  23. ↑ "Peg Lautenschlager, Wisconsin's First Woman Attorney General, Has Died".Madison365.March 31, 2018.https://madison365.com/peg-lautenschlager-wisconsins-first-woman-attorney-general-died/.Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  24. ↑ "Former Wisconsin AG Peg Lautenschlager has died".WBAY.March 31, 2018.https://www.wbay.com/content/news/Former-Wisconsin-AG-Peg-Lautenschlager-has-died-478456283.html.Retrieved 2026-03-12.

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