State Sen. Joe Leibham represents the residents of the 9th Senate District, which includes most of Sheboygan County, southern Manitowoc County and eastern Calumet County. Prior to being elected to the State Senate in Nov. 2002, Senator Leibham served in the State Assembly from 1998-2002, representing the cities and towns of Sheboygan and Sheboygan Falls and the Village of Kohler. He also served on the Sheboygan City Council from 1993-2000, serving as president in 1995-96.

Joe was born and raised in Sheboygan and is the fourth oldest of 13 Leibham children. He attended Pigeon River Public Elementary School, Trinity Lutheran School and Lutheran High School in Sheboygan. Following high school, he attended UW-La Crosse and Ealing College in London, England, before graduating from UW-Madison in 1991 with a B.A. in political science/public administration. Joe worked many part-time and summer jobs so he could solely finance 100 percent of his college costs.

Joe is married to Heather (Hanson) of Plymouth, and they have been blessed with the gift of two sons, Andrew and William, and daughter, Lucy. They own a home and reside in the Town of Sheboygan.

In addition to being a dad and a taxpayer, Joe brings professional private sector experience to the office of the 9th Senate District, having worked in the food service industry as an account executive for Sargento Foods and the manager of membership development for the Sheboygan County Chamber of Commerce.

As an Eagle Scout, church elder, usher and active member of the communities of the 9th District, Joe continues to participate in community projects such as the annual Sheboygan and Manitowoc Rebuilding Together organizations, Sheboygan County Work Bound, the Friends of the Sheboygan Senior Center, the Community Built Playground in Manitowoc, local farm bureaus and honorary chairman of the Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk (2005-2013). Joe has made a strong commitment to be a hands-on partner with the residents of the 9th District and is dedicated to advocate for their needs.

 

While his top job is to represent and connect the citizens and families of the 9th District to our state government, Joe has accepted various responsibilities in the state capitol. In addition to his current duties as president pro tempore in the state senate, he currently serves on the following committees, commissions and boards while continuing to develop legislation to serve the interests of the residents and taxpayers of the 9th District and the state of Wisconsin:


• Member, Joint Committee on Finance

• Member, Senate Committee on Economic Development and Local Government

• Member, Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors

• Member, Joint Committee for the Review of Administrative Rules

• Vice-Chair, Senate Committee on Elections and Urban Affairs

• Vice Chair, Senate Committee on Transportation, Public Safety, and Veterans and Military Affairs

• Member, Governor’s Council on College and Workforce Readiness

• Member, Transportation Projects Commission

• Member, Highway Safety Commission​