2025 Election Guide
The voice of progressives in
every town in America
every town in America
MADISON - Gov. Tony Evers signed Executive Order #252 ordering the flags of the United States and the state of Wisconsin to be flown at half-staff on Mon., Jan. 6, 2025, in honor of former Wisconsin State Sen. George Petak, who passed away on Tues., Dec. 24, 2024, at the age of 75.
“Kathy and I join the people of Wisconsin in mourning the loss of Sen. Petak today,” said Gov. Evers in a statement last week. “Sen. Petak was a man of faith, courage, and principle. He truly had a servant’s heart, always leading with empathy and integrity to give back and do more for others. Kathy and I join the people of Wisconsin in mourning the loss of Sen. Petak and offer our sincerest sympathies to his wife, kids, loved ones, and the many whose lives he touched.”
Former Sen. Petak was born in Warren, Ohio, in 1949 and received his bachelor’s degree in political science from Kent State University in 1972. Former Sen. Petak was elected to the Racine Unified School District Board of Education in 1983 and served in various positions, including as treasurer, vice president, and president until 1990, when he was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate and represented the 21st Senate District. In 1994, former Sen. Petak won his reelection to the Senate and served until 1996. Sen. Petak famously cast the deciding vote to provide funding to build Miller Park—the home of the Milwaukee Brewers—now known as American Family Field. Following his time in the Senate, former Sen. Petak was appointed as deputy executive director of the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) by former Gov. Tommy Thompson and served there until 1998. From 2013 to 2016, former Sen. Petak served as an administrator at the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institution’s Division of Corporate and Consumer Services. Then, in 2016, former Sen. Petak returned to WHEDA and served as a senior business and community engagement officer until his retirement in 2020. In addition to his life of public service, former Sen. Petak also served as a volunteer, government consultant, and lobbyist.
Services for former State Sen. Petak will be held on Mon, Jan. 6, 2025, in Colorado.
Executive Order #252 will be in effect from sunrise to sunset on Mon., Jan. 6, 2025, and is available here.
The flags of the United States and the state of Wisconsin will concurrently be flown at half-staff pursuant to Executive Order #249 and should remain so until sunset on Tues., Jan. 28, 2025.
An online version of this release is available here.