Jeffrey Wood

Jeffrey Wood
Jeffrey Wood
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly; from the 67th district
	In office; January 6, 2003 – January 3, 2011
Preceded by	Tom Sykora
Succeeded by	Tom Larson
Personal details
Born	September 12, 1969 (age 55); Juneau, Wisconsin, U.S.
Political party	Republican (until 2008), Independent (2008–2013)
Children	2
Alma mater	University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire
Occupation	Businessman, politician
Military service
Allegiance	United States of America
Branch/service	United States Navy, United States Navy Reserve
Years of service	1986-1994

Jeffrey Wood (born September 12, 1969 in Juneau, Wisconsin) Is an American Independent and former Republican politician. He was a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly representing the 67th district from 2003 to 2011.^[1] He was first elected as a Republican and later was elected as an Independent.

Biography

Wood attended University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. He is married and has two children.

Political career

State Assembly

Wood was first elected to the state assembly in 2002, to succeed retiring representative Tom Sykora in the 67th district. In 2008, Wood became the first Independent elected to the Wisconsin legislature since 1932.^[2]

Legal troubles

In December 2008 Wood was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving. Following an accident in which his car reportedly became airborne, and marijuana was found in his vehicle, his blood alcohol content was more than double the legal limit.^[3]

In September 2009, Wood was arrested again for suspicion of operating while intoxicated (OWI) which was his fourth arrest for driving while intoxicated.^[4]

In October 2009, Wood was arrested again in Tomah, Wisconsin for operating while intoxicated and charged with bail jumping.^[5] He was convicted on April 19, 2010 of operating while intoxicated and possession of drug paraphernalia and sentenced to 45 days in jail with over $1,600 in fines.^[6]

On January 12, 2011, Wood pleaded no contest to a fifth-offense operation charge, a felony, and a misdemeanor bail jumping charge (which was later dropped). He was sentenced to spend nine months in jail, with three years' probation.^[7]

Legislative disciplinary votes

Vote to table amendment on expulsion^[8]
Party		Yes	No	Not voting
	Democratic	46	4	2
	Republican	2	44	—
	Independent	1	—	—
Percentage		50.5%	49.5%	—
Total votes		Y 49	48	2

Following his fourth arrest, State Representative Steve Nass proposed a resolution to expel Wood from the Assembly if he did not resign. Wood responded that he would seek treatment for his substance abuse problem.

Due to Wood's various legal troubles, a special committee was created in October to address and recommend any possible disciplinary measures against him. In deliberating, the committee deadlocked on a party line vote as, according to Democratic representative Mary Hubler, conduct which had occurred prior to the election of a member to the state legislature would not be considered in taking disciplinary actions against a member.^[9] Due to the fact that expelling Wood would run contrary to the wishes of his constituents, the amendment to expel him narrowly failed, garnering 49 votes in favor of tabling it, and 48 votes against.^[10]