Gov. Evers pays homage to two former state Senators who both passed away on Tuesday

MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers shared Tuesday that former state Sens. Tim Cullen and George Petak have died.

“Sen. Cullen always fought for working families, gave back to and supported kids in the Janesville area, and advocated fiercely for nonpartisan redistricting and access to the ballot box during both his time in the Wisconsin State Senate and beyond it,” Evers said in a news release.

Cullen served in the Senate from 1974 to 1987. He was elected again in 2010 and was among 14 Senate Democrats who fled the state the following year in a futile attempt to prevent a vote on Republican Gov. Scott Walker’s plan to strip public workers of their union rights.

Cullen was 80 years old.

Petak, a Republican, was recalled from office in 1996 after he switched his vote from no to yes on a stadium deal that helped keep the Brewers in Milwaukee. The stadium was funded largely through a 0.1% sales tax imposed in Milwaukee County and four surrounding counties, including Racine County, which was in Petak’s district.

“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.” Evers said.

The Milwaukee Brewers released a statement on X, saying in part, “He loved Wisconsin and did so much to make it a better place, including his crucial support making it possible for the Brewers to call Milwaukee their home”

Former Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig said, “I was saddened to hear of the passing of George Petak. I spoke to George a couple of weeks ago and I think all of us should remember that he was a great hero in Milwaukee and Wisconsin. As so often happens, heroes have to pay a tough price, but he was willing to do so. So in the coming years when you enter American Family Field and think of the Brewers, remember George played a vital and very important part of keeping the Brewers in Wisconsin. He was in my mind always a true Milwaukee and Wisconsin hero. I am saddened by his passing.”

Petak was 75 years old.