Everyone talked to Daniel Bice – whether they admitted it or not.
A veteran political reporter, Bice broke national scoops that changed the course of an election and dug into local stories with the same tenacity. He prioritized telling the truth to readers and had every Wisconsin politician on speed dial.
Bice, who worked for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel for 33 years, died from complications of esophageal cancer on April 21, his birthday.
He had just turned 62.
U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, Democrat
Dan was a force in Wisconsin journalism and politics. No one was too powerful or off limits from his reporting, and Wisconsinites are better for that coverage and his pursuit of the truth. I’m sending my deepest condolences to the Journal Sentinel newsroom and Dan’s loved ones.
U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, Republican
My sincere condolences to the family and friends of Dan Bice.
Gov. Tony Evers, Democrat
Esophageal cancer is so cruel and vicious—it can steal someone’s life in a flash. It was really hard to hear that Dan lost his hard-fought fight this morning.
After he learned of his diagnosis, I reached out to Dan to offer my support. I remember when I was going through cancer, it gave me strength to see others fight and survive, so that on the hardest of days, I was reminded there was still hope for me, too. I just wanted him to know he didn’t have to go it alone.
Dan and I kept in touch on occasion over the last year, and we’d talk about the things that helped and worked. I just wish it had been enough.
Much can be said about Dan, his career, and his contributions. I’ll remember him for how he lived, approached his work, and how he fought until the end—unflappable, relentless, and indefatigable.
Former Governor Tommy Thompson, Republican
Thompson described Bice as “hard-hitting, hard-working, conscientious.”
“I didn’t always agree with him, but he was in pursuit of what he thought was the best thing for the people he was reporting on and reporting for and for his readers,” Thompson said in an interview.
“He was no-nonsense, straightforward, right to the point, and hard-hitting,” he added. “What more can you say? He was tough and accurate and straightforward as a reporter.”
Bice began his Wisconsin career at the Milwaukee Sentinel covering Thompson’s administration.
“He covered it very hard,” Thompson said. “He was always trying to find something that could be improved upon or something that was wrong, and as I say, he was hard-hitting and straightforward. That was his job.”
Asked if he remembered his first impression of Bice, Thompson said he did — but would rather not share it.
Former Governor Scott Walker, Republican
“I used to kid him that he was equal opportunity in the sense that he’d go after Republicans and Democrats,” Walker said in an interview.
“There were times when I liked what he wrote, and there were other times that I didn’t like it at all,” he said. “It probably was a good sign he was pursuing the role of the journalist, which was without regard to politics or other bias, just exposing things that needed to be exposed.”
U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden, Republican
We did not agree often, but I respected him and will miss his reporting. May God grant his family Peace and may his soul rest in sweet repose.
U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan, Democrat
Dan Bice was relentless, but always fair. He kept Wisconsin politicians honest by holding their feet to the fire. He embodied the definition of a journalist. He will be missed. My thoughts are with his family and friends right now.
David Crowley, Milwaukee County executive and Democratic candidate for governor
For more than 30 years, Dan Bice was a pillar of Wisconsin’s political landscape. His commitment to nonpartisan, honest reporting set the standard for journalism by holding public figures accountable and informing generations of Wisconsinites.
He was truly one of a kind, and his passing leaves a profound void in Milwaukee and across this state that cannot easily be filled. My deepest sympathies go out to Jessica, his family, and all who had the privilege of knowing and working alongside him.
Devin Remiker, Democratic Party of Wisconsin chairman
Dan Bice was a force for truth in Wisconsin − he didn’t care who you were, what party you belonged to, or anything else; all he cared about was getting the truth and reporting the facts.
Hilario Deleon, Milwaukee County GOP chair
I want to extend my condolences to Dan Bice’s family and to his fellow colleagues at the (Journal Sentinel). Dan was well known in the political and media world in Wisconsin. Everyone knew his name and his work because he talked to everyone.
Dan was certainly one of the first of many reporters that I eventually came to interact with during my time getting involved in politics. Despite what people might have thought about him, one can’t argue with the fact that there will never be another Dan Bice. Rest in Peace.
Peter Burgelis, Milwaukee Common Council member
Today, we mark the passing of Dan Bice, a one-of-a-kind journalist who never flinched, never coasted, and never let powerful people get comfortable.
For decades at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, he asked the questions others wouldn’t, chased facts others missed, and held a bright, unrelenting light on public life in Wisconsin. You didn’t have to agree with him to respect him, but if he was calling, you knew it was time to get your facts straight.
His work made our institutions stronger, our politics sharper, and most importantly, our community more informed. That kind of fearless accountability doesn’t come around often, and is exactly what is needed now more than ever in today’s political hurricane.
I send my condolences to his loved ones. Let us always remember his fighting spirit as we push forward for our residents every day.
Josh Kraushaar, editor in chief of Jewish Insider
One of the best people to help me understand Wisconsin politics. He’ll be missed.
Anika Rickard, Republican Party of Wisconsin spokeswoman
We didn’t always agree, but he always made it clear his goal was to be fair and independent. It didn’t matter if you were Republican or Democrat his mission was getting the truth. His reporting will be greatly missed. I pray for his family, friends, and all those who are grieving. May he rest in peace.
Francesca Hong, Democratic candidate for governor
Daniel Bice was a mentor to many and a fierce advocate for local journalism. His commitment to transparency and accountability was a public service that honored democracy. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones.
Mandela Barnes, Democratic candidate for governor
Dan Bice will be dearly missed. He spent decades holding those in power accountable and never pulled his punches — and Wisconsin politics was more honest for it. I will always value our conversations and running into him at concerts, he had a solid taste in music. My heart goes out to his family, friends, and all his colleagues at the Journal Sentinel.
Joel Brennan, Democratic candidate for governor
An incredible loss for our state and the news ecosystem. Dan could be a pain if you were in his crosshairs, but he was always fair, straightforward, and didn’t play games.
Stephan Thompson, Republican strategist
Hard to imagine Wisconsin politics without Bice, truly a one of one.
Sachin Chheda, Democratic strategist
The people have lost a tremendous champion against corruption in government. No one did what he did as well as he did it. Only one person ever called me a loser in the state’s largest newspaper. And only one person ever called me a winner in the state’s largest newspaper. So, so sorry he’s gone. Way too soon.
Preya Samsundar, Republican strategist
This hits hard. Dan Bice was someone who conjured as much respect as he did ire. He had my respect, even when his calls meant my day would get exponentially worse. RIP Dan — the campaign cycle won’t be the same without you.
Michael Maistelman, attorney
Dan Bice came into my life the hard way, investigating one of my clients. Most people never recover from that kind of introduction. We did. Over time, Dan became a good friend.But that friendship never once softened him. When clients of mine wanted a story killed, Dan didn’t budge. Not once. He understood that the moment he bent for a friend, he became something less than what he was.Wisconsin lost one of its best journalists today and I lost a genuine friend.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin political leaders mourn Daniel Bice’s death
Reporting by Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
