Donna Rozar

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Donna M. Rozar
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly
from the 69th district
In office
January 4, 2021 – January 6, 2025
Preceded byBob Kulp
Succeeded byKaren Hurd
Member of the Board of Supervisors of Wood County, Wisconsin, from the 2nd district
Incumbent
Assumed office
April 2000
Preceded byDonald Olson
Personal details
Born
Donna Kay Mummau

(1950-02-09) February 9, 1950 (age 75)
Lancaster, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Spouses
  • Grady Edward "Ed" Rozar Jr.
    ​
    ​
    (m. 1975; died 1993)​
  • Micheal J. Masanz
    ​
    ​
    (m. 1997; ann. 2002)​
Children5
Residence(s)Marshfield, Wisconsin, U.S.
Alma mater
Professionnurse, politician
Website

Donna Mummau Rozar (née Mummau; born February 9, 1950) is an American businesswoman, nurse, and Republican politician from Marshfield, Wisconsin. She served two terms as a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly, representing Wisconsin's 69th Assembly district from 2021 to 2025. She is also a member of the board of supervisors of Wood County, Wisconsin, since 2000.

Early life and career

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Donna Rozar was born Donna Kay Mummau in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and moved with her parents to Orange County, Virginia, where her father had purchased a farm.[1] She grew up on the farm and graduated from Orange County High School in 1968.[2] In 1971, she earned her nursing diploma from the Virginia Baptist Hospital School of Nursing, in Lynchburg, Virginia. She then worked a year as an emergency room nurse at the University of Virginia Hospital in Charlottesville, where she earned her nurse practitioner certificate. For the next five years, she worked as a nurse practitioner at Norfolk General Hospital, where she met her future husband, Dr. Ed Rozar.[1][2] Donna Rozar held a certificate as a nurse practitioner from 1971-1977 in Virginia, and has never held prescriptive authority.[3] Her nursing license expired in Wisconsin in 2022 and she no longer holds an active nursing license.[4]

She married Rozar in 1975 in Orange, Virginia,[5] and moved with him to Knoxville, Tennessee. There she attended the University of Tennessee and earned her bachelor's degree in nursing in 1981. The couple moved frequently, living in Dallas, Texas, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Morgantown, West Virginia, over the next decade, adopting children along the way. They finally moved to Marshfield, Wisconsin, in 1988, where Ed was diagnosed with HIV/AIDS in 1989.[1] Ed, a cardiothoracic surgeon, chose to retire from his practice to avoid accidentally exposing anyone else to the virus.[1]

Following Ed's diagnosis, the Rozars appeared on The TODAY Show and Good Morning America to share their story; after Ed's death in 1993, Donna Rozar became a national speaker on AIDS awareness.[1]

In the 1990s, she also owned and operated Town & Country Ventures LLC, through which she invested in and managed a number of commercial and residential properties.

Political career

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Aside from AIDS awareness, Rozar became an outspoken supporter of pro-life causes, which led her into Republican Party politics in Wisconsin in the 1990s.

Rozar first ran for elected office in 1994, when she challenged 20-year incumbent Democratic state representative Donald W. Hasenohrl for his seat in the Wisconsin State Assembly. Hasenohrl prevailed in the general election, but the margin—667 votes—was his closest contest since 1978.[6]

Less than four months later, in February 1995, Rozar jumped into another campaign, running in the special election in the 24th State Senate district to replace state senator David Helbach, who resigned unexpectedly at the beginning of the 1995–1996 term.[7][8] Again, Rozar was defeated, taking just 43% of the vote in the May 1995 special election.[6]

In 1996, Rozar made another attempt at elected office, once again challenging state representative Donald Hasenohrl in the 70th assembly district. In November, Rozar fell short again, this time winning just 39% of the vote.[9]

After 1996, Rozar took a brief pause from seeking elected office, but remained active politically as an officer in the Republican Party of Wood County and as president of the Marshfield Woman's Club. Additionally, Rozar served on state and local commissions by appointment. Governor Tommy Thompson appointed her to the state Examining Board of Architects, Landscape Architects, Professional Geologists, Professional Engineers, Designers, and Land Surveyors in 1996;[10] the Marshfield City Council appointed her to the local Cable Committee in 1997.[11] She also became associated with a local organization known as People Interested in Clean Air, which pressed the city of Marshfield for a ban on smoking in restaurants.[12]

In April 2000, Rozar achieved her first elected office when she was elected to the Wood County Board of Supervisors, though she did not face an opponent in the race.[13] A month later, at the Republican congressional district caucuses, Rozar was elected as a delegate supporting George W. Bush for the 2000 Republican National Convention.[14][15] Rozar ran for a seat on the Marshfield Common Council in 2001, but fell 100 votes short of her opponent.[16]

In 2003, the 24th senate district became vacant again when state senator Kevin Shibilski was appointed Secretary of Tourism in the newly inaugurated administration of Governor Jim Doyle.[17] Rozar again sought the seat, but was once again defeated, this time receiving less than 30% in the April special election.[18][19]

Following her loss in 2003, Rozar returned to nursing full time in 2003, working as a cardiac medical-surgical nurse at St. Joseph's Hospital in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, and then at Marshfield Medical Center. She also pursued her master's in nursing from Viterbo University, completing the degree program in 2008.[2] She served as an instructor at the Marshfield satellite campus of University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire, but retired in 2020.[2]

In 2020, state representative Bob Kulp announced he would not seek another term in the Assembly in 2020.[20] In April 2020, after winning reelection to her 11th term on the Wood County Board, Rozar announced she would be a candidate for Wisconsin State Assembly in the 69th district.[21] She faced a crowded Republican primary field, but prevailed over her three opponents with 53% of the primary vote.[22][23][24] In the general election she faced Brian Giles, a truck driver and first-time candidate.[25] In November, she won 65% of the vote and, on her fifth attempt, was elected to the Wisconsin Legislature.[26]

After the 2024 redistricting, Rozar was drawn out of her 69th Assembly district seat. Under the new plan, she faced an incumbent-vs-incumbent primary election against John Spiros in the new 86th Assembly district. Spiros prevailed in the primary with 43% of the vote, with a third candidate, Trine Spindler, receiving 25%.[27]

Personal life and family

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Donna Kay Mummau took the last name Rozar when she married Dr. Ed Rozar in 1993. Together they adopted five children who are now grown. Ed was a medical doctor and contracted HIV from a patient sometime in the mid 1980s. He died of AIDS-related complications in 1993.[2]

Donna remarried in December 1997 to Michael J. Masanz, but the marriage was annulled five years later.[28][29]

She is a member of the Wisconsin Nursing Association, the American Nursing Association, the American Nurses Credentialing Center, and the Sigma Theta Tau nursing honor society.[2]

Electoral history

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Wisconsin Assembly, 70th district (1994, 1996)

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Year Election Date Elected Defeated Total Plurality
1994 General[30] Nov. 8 Don Hasenohrl (inc.) Democratic 8,193 51.01% Donna M. Rozar Rep. 7,526 46.86% 16,060 667
Wayne Wiedeman Tax. 341 2.12%
1996 Primary[31] Sep. 10 Donna M. Rozar Republican 2,273 63.65% Thomas M. Liebe Rep. 1,298 36.35% 3,571 975
General[32] Nov. 5 Don Hasenohrl (inc.) Democratic 12,957 60.96% Donna M. Rozar Rep. 8,298 39.04% 21,255 4,659

Wisconsin Senate (1995)

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Year Election Date Elected Defeated Total Plurality
1995 Special[33] May. 2 Kevin Shibilski Democratic 15,923 57.00% Donna M. Rozar Rep. 12,011 43.00% 27,934 3,912

Marshfield Common Council (2001)

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Year Election Date Elected Defeated Total Plurality
2001 General[34] Apr. 3 Brad Parks Nonpartisan 269 61.42% Donna M. Rozar Non. 169 38.58% 438 100

Wisconsin Senate (2003)

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Year Election Date Elected Defeated Total Plurality
2003

(special)

Special[35] Apr. 29 Julie M. Lassa Democratic 12,787 62.03% Donna Rozar Rep. 6,118 29.68% 20,613 6,669
Jesse J. Higgins Ind. 972 4.72%
Jo Seiser Grn. 720 3.49%

Wisconsin Assembly, 69th district (2020, 2022)

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Year Election Date Elected Defeated Total Plurality
2020 Primary[36] Aug. 11 Donna M. Rozar Republican 3,040 52.97% Tim Miller Rep. 1,550 27.01% 5,739 1,490
Michael V. Smith Rep. 906 15.79%
Matthew F. Windheuser Rep. 240 4.18%
General[37] Nov. 3 Donna M. Rozar Republican 18,568 65.85% Brian Giles Dem. 9,606 34.07% 28,197 8,962
2022 General[38] Nov. 8 Donna M. Rozar (inc) Republican 15,032 64.27% Lisa Boero Dem. 8,345 35.68% 23,389 6,687

Wisconsin Assembly, 86th district (2024)

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Year Election Date Elected Defeated Total Plurality
2024 Primary[39] Aug. 13 Donna M. Rozar Republican 3,709 43.23% Donna M. Rozar Rep. 2,721 31.71% 8,580 988
Michael V. Smith Rep. 2,143 24.98%

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Scarborough, Mark (October 12, 1996). "Rozar says she offers voters a choice". Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune. p. 3. Retrieved December 27, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "About". Donna Rozar - Wisconsin Assembly. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
  3. ^ "QuickConfirm License Verification Report". www.nursys.com. Retrieved 2024-03-12.
  4. ^ "QuickConfirm License Verification Report". www.nursys.com. Retrieved 2024-03-12.
  5. ^ "Mummau-Rozar". The Atlanta Constitution. December 15, 1974. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
  6. ^ a b Barish, Lawrence S.; Meloy, Patricia E., eds. (1995). "Elections in Wisconsin". State of Wisconsin 1995–1996 Blue Book (Report). Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. pp. 919, 923. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
  7. ^ Mayers, Jeff (February 17, 1995). "Helbach resigns from Senate". Wisconsin State Journal. p. 1. Retrieved December 27, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ Steffes, Sara (February 25, 1995). "Rozar will seek Senate seat". Marshfield News-Herald. p. 15. Retrieved December 27, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau (1997). "Elections" (PDF). In Barish, Lawrence S. (ed.). State of Wisconsin 1997-1998 Blue Book (Report). Madison, Wisconsin: State of Wisconsin. pp. 901, 905. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
  10. ^ "Rozar appointed to state board". Marshfield News-Herald. July 31, 1998. p. 3. Retrieved December 27, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ "Pay increases, budget overdraft on Council slate". Marshfield News-Herald. December 9, 1997. p. 3. Retrieved December 27, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ Fuelleman, Sarah; Gerretsen, Thom (October 29, 1999). "Smoking ban put out". Marshfield News-Herald. p. 1. Retrieved December 27, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ^ Laack, Troy (April 5, 2000). "5 lose Wood County Board seats". Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune. Retrieved December 27, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^ Gerretsen, Thom (May 2, 2000). "Rozar GOP convention delegate". Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune. Retrieved December 27, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ^ Scarborough, Mark (August 19, 2000). "Rozar in heart of excitement at GOP convention". Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune. Retrieved December 27, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ^ Bowen, Amy E. (April 4, 2001). "Parks, Norberg claim Common Council wins". Marshfield News-Herald. p. 1. Retrieved December 27, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. ^ Chronis, Paul (December 18, 2002). "Race begins for Shibilski's seat". Stevens Point Journal. p. 1. Retrieved December 27, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  18. ^ Hicks, Allen (January 28, 2003). "Rozar to vie for Senate seat". Marshfield News-Herald. p. 1. Retrieved December 27, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  19. ^ Results of Special General Election - 04/29/2003 (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin State Elections Board. May 5, 2003. p. 1. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
  20. ^ Schmidt, Mitchell (January 10, 2020). "Democratic Sen. Dave Hansen, GOP Rep. Bob Kulp, announce plans to retire at end of year". Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
  21. ^ "Rozar campaign: Announces candidacy for 69th State Assembly District seat". Donna Rozar - Wisconsin Assembly (Press release). April 14, 2020. Retrieved December 28, 2020 – via Wispolitics.com.
  22. ^ Hovorka, Alan (August 4, 2020). "Four Republicans seek nomination in bid to replace state Rep. Bob Kulp in 69th Assembly District". Marshfield News-Herald. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  23. ^ Hovorka, Alan (August 12, 2020). "Donna Rozar wins 69th Assembly race; Calvin Callahan could succeed Mary Felzkowski in the 35th Assembly District". Stevens Point Journal. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  24. ^ Canvass Results for 2020 Partisan Primary - 8/11/2020 (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Elections Commission. August 26, 2020. p. 42. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
  25. ^ Siegler, Melissa (September 23, 2020). "69th Assembly District candidates Rozar, Giles discuss COVID-19 response, racial injustice". Marshfield News-Herald. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  26. ^ Canvass Results for 2020 General Election - 11/3/2020 (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Elections Commission. November 18, 2020. p. 24. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  27. ^ "Spiros beats Rozar in 86th AD GOP primary". Wispolitics.com. August 13, 2024. Retrieved August 16, 2024.
  28. ^ "Masanz/Rozar". Marshfield News-Herald. December 27, 1997. Retrieved December 27, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  29. ^ "Wood County Case Number 2000FA000478 Donna M. Rozar v. Michael J. Masanz". Wisconsin Circuit Court Access. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
  30. ^ Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau (1995). "Elections". In Barish, Lawrence S. (ed.). State of Wisconsin 1995-1996 Blue Book (Report). State of Wisconsin. p. 923. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  31. ^ Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau (1997). "Elections - Primary Vote for Representatives to the Assembly by District". In Barish, Lawrence S. (ed.). State of Wisconsin 1997-1998 Blue Book (Report). State of Wisconsin. p. 901. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  32. ^ Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau (1997). "Elections - Vote for Representatives to the Assembly by District". In Barish, Lawrence S. (ed.). State of Wisconsin 1997-1998 Blue Book (Report). State of Wisconsin. p. 905. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  33. ^ Barish, Lawrence S.; Meloy, Patricia E., eds. (1995). "Elections in Wisconsin". State of Wisconsin 1995–1996 Blue Book (Report). Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. p. 919. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
  34. ^ Cite error: The named reference marsh20012 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  35. ^ Results of Special General Election - 04/29/2003 (Report). Wisconsin State Elections Board. May 5, 2003. p. 1. Retrieved July 27, 2025 – via Wisconsin Historical Society.
  36. ^ Cite error: The named reference 2020pri2 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  37. ^ Cite error: The named reference 2020gen2 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  38. ^ Canvass Results for 2022 General Election - 11/8/2022 (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Elections Commission. November 30, 2022. p. 25. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  39. ^ County by County Report - 2024 Partisan Primary (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Elections Commission. August 26, 2024. p. 123. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
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Wisconsin State Assembly
Preceded by Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the 69th district
January 4, 2021 – January 6, 2025 		Succeeded by