Jim Schmitt

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Jim Schmitt
Schmitt at the groundbreaking of the Milo Huempfner Veterans Affairs Clinic in Green Bay in 2011.
47th Mayor of Green Bay, Wisconsin
In office
April 1, 2003 – April 15, 2019
Preceded byPaul Jadin
Succeeded byEric Genrich
Personal details
Born (1958-06-07) June 7, 1958
Two Rivers, Wisconsin, U.S.
PartyRepublican
Spouse
Dona Degenhardt
​
(m. 1990)​
Children3 (+1 deceased)
St. Norbert College (B.A.)

James J. Schmitt (born June 7, 1958) is an American politician and businessman from Wisconsin. He served as the 47th mayor of Green Bay, Wisconsin, from 2003 to 2019, becoming the city's longest-serving mayor.[1] Since leaving office, he has hosted the radio programs Maino and the Mayor and Lean Local on the Civic Media network.[2][3]

Early life and education

The fourth of 11 children born to James and Mary (née Gleichner) Schmitt in Two Rivers, Wisconsin, he attended Roncalli High School.[4] He earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wisconsin, and later completed the Senior Executives in State and Local Government program at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government.[5] He is Roman Catholic; one of his brothers is a member of a religious order.[4]

In 2011 he was recognized by the Green Bay Press-Gazette editorial board as Person of the Year.[6]

Business career

Before entering public office, Schmitt was president of Famis Manufacturing, Inc., a Green Bay-area firm, from 1992 to 2003.[1] In 1997, he received the Greater Green Bay Chamber of Commerce's Small Business Entrepreneur of the Year award.[7]

Brown County Board of Supervisors

From 1999 to 2003, Schmitt served two consecutive terms on the Brown County Board of Supervisors.[8]

Mayor of Green Bay (2003–2019)

Elections

In the nonpartisan mayoral election of April 2003, Schmitt succeeded Paul Jadin, who did not seek re-election, becoming the mayor of Green Bay.[8] He was re-elected in 2007 with approximately 70% of the vote, and again in 2011.[7] On February 17, 2015, Schmitt received 51 percent of the vote in a three-way primary,[9] and defeated Tom DeWane in the general election, 53% to 47%.[10] With this victory, Schmitt extended his tenure to 16 years and overtook Sam Halloin as the longest-serving mayor in Green Bay history.[1] Under Wisconsin law, mayoral elections are conducted on a nonpartisan basis.

Governance and accomplishments

During Schmitt's 16-year tenure, downtown Green Bay underwent major redevelopment, with investments estimated at more than $250 million.[1] Projects completed during his administration included the CityDeck riverwalk, the expansion of the KI Convention Center, the Schreiber Foods corporate office, Associated Bank's corporate headquarters, the Green Bay Children's Museum, the Nicolet Bank headquarters, and the restoration of Hotel Northland.[1][11] Bay Beach Amusement Park added the Zippin Pippin wooden roller coaster, relocated from Memphis, Tennessee, in 2011.[12] During his tenure, the city's assessed property value grew from approximately $4 billion to more than $6 billion.[7]

Schmitt opposed a proposed Walmart supercenter on the former Larsen Green site in the Broadway District; the rezoning was rejected by the Common Council.[1] The city also helped establish more than 35 neighborhood associations.[12][7]

In 2011, the Green Bay Press-Gazette editorial board named Schmitt its Person of the Year, citing the city's positioning for growth.[13]

Public health initiatives

In 2015, the City of Green Bay partnered with the National Forum for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention under its "Move with the Mayor" national initiative, launching a program of midday walks led by the mayor to encourage physical activity and cardiovascular disease prevention awareness.[14] The program continued under Schmitt's successor.[14]

National engagement and intergovernmental collaboration

Schmitt served on the advisory boards of the United States Conference of Mayors and the League of Wisconsin Municipalities.[7]

On January 26, 2011, Schmitt greeted President Barack Obama on the tarmac at Austin Straubel International Airport, presenting the president with a Green Bay Packers jersey signed by cornerback Charles Woodson.[15][16] Obama later referred to "Governor Walker and Mayor Schmitt" in remarks delivered at the White House during the Super Bowl XLV champions' visit in August 2011.[17] In January 2012, Obama greeted Schmitt at a reception for U.S. mayors in the East Room of the White House, as documented in the Obama White House archives.[18]

In August 2013, Schmitt spoke at the opening of the Milo C. Huempfner Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic in Green Bay alongside U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin and VA regional administrator Jeffrey Murawsky. Schmitt told attendees he was "proud to have the facility within the city limits."[19]

In October 2018, when Schmitt announced he would not seek a fifth term, businessman Peter Nugent, then president of On Broadway, Inc., said Schmitt had been "spearheading economic development and playing a primary role in revitalizing downtown Green Bay."[12]

Campaign finance investigation

In January 2015, Green Bay city council Aldermen Chris Wery, Guy Zima, and Andy Nicholson alleged that Schmitt had accepted as much as $10,000 in illegal donations for his mayoral campaign.[20] Schmitt contended that the errors were unintentional and handed his records over to the Brown County District Attorney and the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board to be audited.[21] Due to a potential conflict of interest, the Brown County District Attorney turned the records over to the Milwaukee County District Attorney.[21]

In September 2016, Schmitt agreed to plead guilty as part of a plea agreement to three misdemeanor charges, including false statements to an election official, accepting campaign contributions not belonging to the reported contributor, and accepting campaign contributions in excess of state limits. He was subsequently convicted on these criminal charges and sentenced to a monetary forfeiture and community service.[22]

It was found that 17 individuals had donated more than the $1,040 contribution limit, and there were two corporate donations, which are illegal under state election laws.[23]

On February 20, 2017, the Common Council held a vote on the removal of Schmitt over campaign finance violations. While a majority of the 12 member board voted for removal, 9 votes were necessary to remove the mayor from office. As only 8 voted for removal, he retained his seat by one vote.[24]

In 2017, seven City Council members signed a letter stating their disapproval of the conduct of one of Schmitt's accusers, Alderman Chris Wery, who used his bank job to pry into an opponent's financial records.[25]

Post-mayoral career

In 2022, Schmitt publicly considered running to reclaim the mayor's office in the 2023 election but ultimately announced he would not seek the position.[26]

In June 2023, he and radio host John Maino launched Maino and the Mayor, a weekday morning show on WGBW in Green Bay and WISS in the Appleton–Oshkosh market, distributed by the Civic Media network.[2] The program concluded its run on WGBW in 2025.[27] He also hosts Lean Local, a weekly Civic Media program focused on local governance and community issues, which Civic Media describes as bypassing conventional left-versus-right political framing.[3] Guests have included current Green Bay mayor Eric Genrich.[3]

Personal life

Schmitt married Dona Degenhardt on May 26, 1990. They have three living children (all daughters) and another child who died in infancy. [7]

See also

References

  1. Stein, Amy (April 11, 2019). "Mayor Jim Schmitt looks back on his career in Green Bay". WFRV-TV. Retrieved April 23, 2026.
  2. "'Maino and the Mayor' debuts on radio waves in Green Bay". WFRV-TV. June 27, 2023. Retrieved April 23, 2026.
  3. "Lean Local — Overview". Civic Media. Retrieved April 23, 2026.
  4. "Green Bay mayor invites Pope Francis to city". The Compass. March 5, 2014. Retrieved April 23, 2026.
  5. Chao, Jacqueline (April 10, 2015). "An Interview with James Schmitt, Mayor of Green Bay, WI". The Politic (Yale University). Retrieved April 23, 2026.
  6. "Editorial: Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt named Person of the Year". Gannett. Retrieved January 30, 2015.
  7. "About the Mayor". City of Green Bay. Archived from the original on October 24, 2015. Retrieved April 23, 2026.
  8. "Alliance Cities Elect New Mayors". Wisconsin Alliance of Cities. Archived from the original on October 6, 2008. Retrieved April 23, 2026.
  9. Rodewald, Adam (February 17, 2015). "Schmitt and DeWane to face each other". Green Bay Press-Gazette. Retrieved April 23, 2026.
  10. "Schmitt wins Green Bay mayor race". WLUK-TV. April 7, 2015. Retrieved April 23, 2026.
  11. "Mayor Jim Schmitt reflects during last day in office". NBC26. April 15, 2019. Retrieved April 23, 2026.
  12. "Jim Schmitt confirms he is not running for Green Bay mayor". WLUK-TV. October 1, 2018. Retrieved April 23, 2026.
  13. "Editorial: Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt named Person of the Year". Green Bay Press-Gazette. December 25, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2026.
  14. "Move with the Mayor". City of Green Bay. Retrieved April 23, 2026.
  15. "Super Bowl XLV: President Barack Obama lauds Green Bay Packers, says Chicago Bears get 'em in '11". ESPN. January 26, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2026.
  16. "Packers CB Woodson sends message to President with jersey". NFL.com. January 26, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2026.
  17. Peters, Gerhard; Woolley, John T. (August 12, 2011). "Remarks Honoring the 2011 Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers". The American Presidency Project, University of California, Santa Barbara. Retrieved April 23, 2026.
  18. "Scenes from the Conference of Mayors". Obama White House Archives. February 3, 2012. Retrieved April 23, 2026. President Barack Obama greets Green Bay, Wisconsin Mayor Jim Schmitt during a reception with U.S. Mayors in the East Room of the White House.
  19. "Veterans celebrate opening of new 'showcase' Green Bay clinic" (Press release). Office of U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin. August 16, 2013. Retrieved April 23, 2026.
  20. Clare Kaley (January 4, 2015). "Mayor Schmitt, Aldermen Request Audit of Campaign Finance Reports". WBAY-TV. Archived from the original on September 13, 2016. Retrieved September 12, 2016.
  21. Rhonda Roberts (January 12, 2015). "Green Bay City Clerk Turns Over Mayor's Records for Audit". WBAY-TV. Archived from the original on September 13, 2016. Retrieved September 12, 2016.
  22. Adam Rodewald (September 12, 2016). "Attorney: Schmitt won't resign as Green Bay mayor". Green Bay Press-Gazette. Retrieved September 12, 2016.
  23. Ben Krumholz (September 7, 2016). "'I have made mistakes': Green Bay mayor charged in campaign probe". WLUK-TV. Retrieved September 12, 2016.
  24. "Schmitt narrowly survives removal vote". Press Gazette Media. Retrieved March 19, 2017.
  25. Council sends Wery letter of disapproval, greenbaypressgazette.com. Accessed August 10, 2022.
  26. "Former Green Bay mayor Jim Schmitt says he won't run for a fifth term". NBC26. September 30, 2022. Retrieved April 23, 2026.
  27. "Maino and the Mayor end run on Green Bay radio". WFRV-TV. 2025. Retrieved April 23, 2026.