Introduction
Thomas P. "Tom" Tiffany (born December 30, 1957) is an American politician who has been elected to serve as member of the Wisconsin State Assembly, representing the 35th District from 2011.
Early life, education, and career
Tiffany grew up on a dairy farm near Elmwood, Wisconsin, with five brothers and two sisters. According to his campaign material, he "learned the lessons of hard work, honesty and accountability from his parents at an early age".
Tiffany graduated from the University of Wisconsin–River Falls in 1980 with a degree in agricultural economics. He managed the petroleum division of a farm cooperative in Plainview, Minnesota, before coming to Minocqua, Wisconsin, to manage Zenker Oil Company's petroleum distribution in 1988. He and his wife, Chris, have operated an excursion business on the Willow Flowage since 1991.
Political career
Tiffany serves as the Town Supervisor in the town of Little Rice and is an appointed member of the Oneida County Economic Development Corporation. In 2004 and 2008,he ran for the 12th State Senate District, first against Senator Roger Breske, and then Jim Holperin losing both times in very close elections. In 2010, he ran for the Wisconsin State Assembly after the position was vacated by retiring incumbent, Representative Donald Friske. Tiffany won the primary, and later defeated Democrat Jay Schmelling 58.09% - 41.81%.
In 2012 Tiffany chose not to seek re-election to the State Assembly and to seek election to the State Senate after Holperin announced he would not run for reelection. He defeated Democrat Susan Sommer, 56% - 40%, in the general election on November 6, 2012.
Personal life
He and his wife, Christine, have three children.