Background
Billings was born in Stewartville, Minnesota. Both of her grandfathers had been candidates for mayor.
Billings was born in Stewartville, Minnesota. Both of her grandfathers had been candidates for mayor.
She studied communication and English at Augsburg College, before moving to Louisiana Crosse in 1990.
She represents the City of Louisiana Crosse and small portions of the Towns of Shelby and Campbell. She spent seven years as a teacher of English and citizenship to Hmong immigrants. She worked on Louisiana Crosse County’s land use plan, helped established a special rehabilitation court for persons convicted of driving while intoxicated, and worked on the county’s Economic Development Fund.
On November 8, 2011, Billings was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in a special election in the 95th Assembly District (the city of Louisiana Crosse and portions of the towns of Campbell and Shelby), succeeding fellow Democrat Jennifer Shilling, who replaced Senator Dan Kapanke in the Wisconsin State Senate following a successful recall election against him.
Billings took 72.6% of the vote against Republican David Drewes, a small government advocate and supporter of Governor Scott Walker.The district has elected Democrats to the Assembly consistently since 1974.
Since 2004, she has been a member of the Louisiana Crosse County board of supervisors, becoming vice chair of the County Health and Human Services Board and head of the Family Policy Board Executive Committee.