Door County resident and former Lieutenant Governor Barbara Lawton made history in 2002 when she became the first woman elected to that position. Serving with Governor Jim Doyle for eight years, Lawton took on many issues, including economic development, climate change, and campaign reform. 

She launched an economic development initiative called “Wisconsin Women = Prosperity” in 2003.  Other issues addressed by Lawton were clean energy policy, stem cell research, and affordable higher education. In 2006, The Capital Times newspaper in Madison called Lawton “the boldest and most active lieutenant governor in state history." in an editorial piece. 

Lawton announced running for governor in 2009 but withdrew from the race after two months due to “personal reasons.”

Lawton was named the President and CEO of Americans for Campaign Reform in 2014. She was co-founder of Issue One, a nonprofit in Washington, D.C., whose goal is to reduce money's influence in politics.

Born and raised in Green Bay, Lawton attended Lawrence University and received a master’s degree in Spanish from UW-Madison.  She lives in Clay Banks along Lake Michigan with her husband, Cal, and they have two children, Joseph and Amanda, and four grandchildren.