Thomas Harnisch

Last updated
Pamela Anne Theirl
​
(m. 1977)​
Thomas Harnisch
SenatorHarnisch.png
Member of the Wisconsin Senate
from the 31st district
In office
January 6, 1975 –January 3, 1983
Children5
Residence Neillsville, Wisconsin
Alma mater
ProfessionLawyer

Thomas William Harnisch (born January 16, 1947) is an American lawyer and former politician from Clark County, Wisconsin. A Democrat, he served two terms in the Wisconsin Senate, representing Wisconsin's 31st Senate district from 1975 to 1983.

Contents

Early life

Born in La Crosse, Wisconsin, Harnisch graduated from Gale-Ettrick High School. He earned a bachelor's degree from University of Wisconsin–Madison and a Juris Doctor degree from University of Minnesota Law School. [1]

Wisconsin Senate

Harnisch took an interest in higher education and conservation during his two terms in the Senate. He crafted legislation creating the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine [2] [3] and was one of the leaders in creating the Robert M. La Follette School of Public Affairs at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. [4] [5] He also helped create a graduate program in energy analysis and policy at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. [6]

Harnisch authored the Wisconsin Farmland Preservation Act, a state program designed to preserve farmland, provide property tax relief to farmers, and prevent soil erosion. [7] He also authored legislation creating the Inland Waters Trout Stamp program, which used its proceeds for restoring and improving trout habitats. [8] The program is considered a national model today. [9] [10] He was the architect of the Wisconsin Conservation Corps, a conservation and youth employment program modeled after the Civilian Conservation Corps. Harnisch introduced the legislation in 1981, which was vetoed by Governor Lee S. Dreyfus. The bill was reintroduced by Thomas A. Loftus and signed into law in 1983. [11] Harnisch was appointed by Governor Tony Earl as the first chair of the Wisconsin Conservation Corps Board. [12] The program remained active until 2003. [13] He was also an early proponent of state policies to encourage recycling [14] as well as investments in alternative energy sources, including solar energy. [15]

Post-Senate activities

Harnisch received the Wisconsin Idea Award in Natural Resource Policy in 1989 for his leadership in agricultural and rural development policy, including the Farmland Preservation Act. [16] He remained active in politics as Wisconsin co-chair of the 1988 presidential campaign of Al Gore, later as a Gore delegate at the 1988 Democratic National Convention. [17] He was long affiliated with the Wisconsin Towns Association later in his career.

Personal life and family

Harnisch married Pamela Ann Theirl, a kindergarten teacher, on January 29, 1977. [18] They have five adult children and still reside in Neillsville, Wisconsin. [19]

Electoral history

Wisconsin Senate 31st District, 1974 [20]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Primary Election, September 10, 1974
Democratic Thomas Harnisch 4,017 46.35%
Democratic Albert T. Lahmeyer 3,00534.68%
Democratic Marion C. Michaels 1,64418.97%
Total votes8,666 100.0%
General Election, November 5, 1974
Democratic Thomas Harnisch 21,675 56.11%
Republican Harold J. LaChapelle 16,95543.89%
Plurality4,72012.22%
Total votes38,639 100.0%
Wisconsin Senate 31st District, 1978 [21]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Primary Election, September 12, 1978
Democratic Thomas Harnisch 6,908 72.82%
Democratic John Q. Radcliffe 2,57827.18%
Total votes9,486 100.0%
General Election, November 7, 1978
Democratic Thomas Harnisch 23,746 50.38%
Republican Howard Sturtz 23,38649.62%
Plurality360.76%
Total votes47,132 100.0%

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References

  1. ↑ Wisconsin Blue Book 1981-1982, Biographical Sketch of Thomas W. Harnisch
  2. ↑ "2 Vow to Fight for Vet School," Milwaukee Sentinel, January 16, 1979
  3. ↑ History-School of Veterinary Medicine
  4. ↑ LaFollette School Celebrates 40 Years
  5. ↑ "Pork Barrel Filled to Rim" Wisconsin State Journal July 12, 1981
  6. ↑ "EAP Program History"
  7. ↑ "State Senator Tom Harnisch Reports: Harnisch Introduces Farm Tax Relief Measures," The Blair Press, February 17, 1977
  8. ↑ "WI Trout Stamp Turns 30" Wisconsin Trout July 2007
  9. ↑ Expenditures of Inland Water Stamp Revenues Fiscal Years 2004-07
  10. ↑ Wisconsin Trout Stamp Turns 30 July 2007
  11. ↑ President's Commission on Americans Outdoors, Americans Outdoors: The Legacy, The Challenge, with Case Studies, p. 372
  12. ↑ "Harnisch sees success for state CCC program," Eau Claire Leader Telegram August 17, 1983"
  13. ↑ Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development "Wisconsin Conservation Corps 1983-2003 20 years of service to Wisconsin"
  14. ↑ "State Senator Tom Harnisch Reports: Mandatory Deposit Legislation," The Blair Press, February 3, 1977
  15. ↑ "Co-op leader sees oil import lid," Wisconsin State Journal, November 14, 1979
  16. ↑ "Wisconsin Idea honorees named" WI Week, April 26, 1989
  17. ↑ Wisconsin Blue Book 1989-90, p. 902
  18. ↑ "To Marry Jan. 29". Marshfield News-Herald. January 12, 1977. p. 11. Retrieved November 24, 2023– via Newspapers.com.
  19. ↑ "Edward C. Theirl". Chippewa Herald-Telegram. February 23, 2000. p. 2. Retrieved November 24, 2023– via Newspapers.com.
  20. ↑ Barish, Lawrence S.; Theobald, H. Rupert, eds. (1975). "Elections in Wisconsin". State of Wisconsin 1975 Blue Book (Report). Madison, Wisconsin: State of Wisconsin. pp. 803, 824. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
  21. ↑ Barish, Lawrence S.; Theobald, H. Rupert, eds. (1979). "Elections in Wisconsin". State of Wisconsin 1979 Blue Book (Report). Madison, Wisconsin: State of Wisconsin. pp. 902, 921. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
Wisconsin Senate
Preceded byMember of the Wisconsin Senate from the 31st district
January 6, 1975 –January 3, 1983		Succeeded by
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