Joe grew up in De Pere and received his education in the De Pere Catholic and public school systems. He has a teaching degree from UW Eau Claire and a Master of Education from UW Stout. 

Joe and his spouse, Lavonne Solem, have been residents of Western Wisconsin for more than 46 years. They raised their daughter Abbie in Menomonie where she graduated from high school. She now lives with her spouse in Minneapolis, MN. Joe’s son Charlie lives in El Segundo, CA with his family. Lavonne’s son Scott and his family live near Rochester, MN.

Joe is a veteran of the US Army and has held posts with the Menomonie Public Library and the State Historical Society of Wisconsin, he currently is a volunteer at the Dunn County Historical Society. Joe served on the Menomonie City Council and the Dunn County Board of Supervisors.

During four terms in the Wisconsin Assembly Joe was a champion of bills to protect consumer protection, the Hay River Watershed, custodial minors and to control hazardous materials. He served on Veterans, Agriculture, Economic Development and Rural Development Committees, among others.

And Joe knows when to watch and learn. While living in North Menomonie he often walked his dog through Wakanda Park. Having no experience playing disc golf he was intrigued when the city installed a course in the park, and initially wondered if it might be frivolous and costly. But over time Joe saw the course being used more and more and came to understand that a new generation was using the park in a new way. It was a reminder that an open mind is a valuable asset for any person with responsibility for public policy.

Joe has a passion for education, the preservation of land and water quality, and freedom of choice in personal matters. He has supported individual rights like same-sex marriage, pregnancy choice, and sensible gun control and he has the courage to advocate for those issues.

A wide range of responsibilities in the private and public sectors have prepared him well for the challenge at hand. Put that experience to work for the 92nd Assembly District.