Career Timeline of Peter Barca: Major Achievements and Milestones

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: May 10, 2026

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Peter Barca made an impact.

Peter Barca is an American Democratic politician from Kenosha, Wisconsin, who served as the 14th secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Revenue (2019–2024) under Governor Tony Evers. He unsuccessfully ran for U.S. House of Representatives in Wisconsin's 1st congressional district in 2024, losing to Bryan Steil. Previously, he represented the same district in the 103rd Congress (1993–1995). His career reflects a sustained involvement in Wisconsin politics and attempts to represent the state at the federal level.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1979: Elected chairman of the Kenosha County Democratic Party

In 1979, Peter Barca was elected chairman of the Kenosha County Democratic Party.

1984: First Run for Public Office and Victory in General Election

In 1984, Peter Barca made his first run for public office and won the general election for the 64th Assembly district with nearly 80% of the vote.

1985: Served in Wisconsin State Assembly

In 1985, Peter Barca began serving in the Wisconsin State Assembly, a position he held through 1993 and again from 2009 through 2019.

1990: Elected to leadership position in Assembly

After winning his fourth term, in 1990, Peter Barca was elected to a party leadership position in the Assembly, serving as majority caucus chair for the 1991 legislative term.

1993: Resigned from Assembly after election to U.S. House of Representatives

In 1993, Peter Barca resigned from the Assembly after his election to the U.S. House of Representatives.

1993: Won Democratic nomination in special election

In 1993, Peter Barca won the Democratic primary in the special election for Wisconsin's 1st congressional district with 48% of the vote.

1994: Defeated by Mark Neumann

In 1994, Peter Barca was defeated by Mark Neumann in the regular election, losing by a narrow margin.

November 2008: Elected to represent the 64th Assembly district

In November 2008, after a 14-year absence, Peter Barca was elected to represent the 64th Assembly district once again. He was again chosen to be Majority Caucus Chairperson.

2009: Authored Legislation Banning Text Messaging While Driving

In 2009, Peter Barca authored legislation to ban text messaging while driving in Wisconsin.

2010: Elected as Assembly Democratic Leader

In 2010, Peter Barca was elected by his colleagues to serve as Assembly Democratic Leader in the 100th Wisconsin Legislature.

2011: Elected Democratic floor leader

In 2011, Peter Barca was elected Democratic floor leader, a position he held through 2017.

September 2017: Resigned as Democratic minority leader

In September 2017, Peter Barca resigned as leader of the Democratic minority.

January 7, 2019: Nominated for secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Revenue

On January 7, 2019, Peter Barca was nominated for secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Revenue.

February 22, 2019: Nomination Unanimously Approved by Senate Committee

On February 22, 2019, Peter Barca's nomination for secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Revenue was unanimously approved by the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Revenue and Financial Institutions.

October 8, 2019: Confirmed as secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Revenue

On October 8, 2019, the full Senate confirmed Peter Barca's appointment as secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Revenue.

2020: Department of Revenue's role in COVID-19 pandemic

During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Peter Barca's Department of Revenue played a role in facilitating business and farm loans through the federal CARES Act and informing the public about how to obtain financial support.

2023: Involved in major bipartisan legislation

In 2023, Peter Barca and the Department of Revenue were important to major bipartisan legislation advanced during the term, including the repeal of Wisconsin's unique personal property tax and the compromise which unlocked needed shared revenue for Wisconsin's county and municipal governments.

2023: Named president of the board of trustees of the Federation of Tax Administrators

In the summer of 2023, Peter Barca was named president of the board of trustees of the Federation of Tax Administrators, a national organization that supports state and local tax administrators.

March 28, 2024: Announced resignation and expressed interest in running for Congress

On March 28, 2024, Peter Barca announced his resignation as secretary of the Department of Revenue, effective April 9, and expressed interest in running for Congress again in Wisconsin's 1st congressional district.

April 18, 2024: Announced campaign for Congress

On April 18, 2024, Peter Barca announced he plans to run for the 1st congressional district seat in 2024, challenging incumbent Bryan Steil. He announced his campaign on twitter and formally launched it at the Apple Holler apple orchard in Racine County.