Donald W. Hasenohrl

Donald William "Donnie" Hasenohrl (born November 25, 1935) is a retired American politician and union steelworker. He was a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly for 26 years, representing his hometown, Marshfield, Wisconsin, and surrounding areas.

Donald W. Hasenohrl
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly
In office
January 7, 1985  January 1, 2001
Preceded byJohn L. Merkt
Succeeded byMaryAnn Lippert
Constituency70th district
In office
January 3, 1983  January 7, 1985
Preceded byDonald K. Stitt
Succeeded bySusan Bowers Vergeront
Constituency60th district
In office
January 3, 1975  January 3, 1983
Preceded byJohn Oestreicher
Succeeded byJohn L. Merkt
Constituency70th district
Personal details
Born
Donald William Hasenohrl

(1935-11-25) November 25, 1935
Marshfield, Wisconsin, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)
Kathleen J. Stashek
(m. 1961)
Children3
ResidencePittsville, Wisconsin, U.S.
Professionpolitician

Early life and career

Hasenohrl was born in Marshfield, Wisconsin, and graduated from Marshfield High School.[1] Hasenohrl worked as a farmer in his youth and was employed by the Marshfield Fire Department as a firefighter in 1960 and 1961. He went on to work as a steel fabricator at the Felker Brothers Manufacturing Company in Marshfield until his election to the Assembly; he was a member of the local Boilermakers union and a delegate to the Marshfield Central Labor Council.[2]

Political career

As a young man, Hasenohrl became involved with the Democratic Party of Wisconsin and founded the Marshfield Young Democrats. He served as a field staffer for William Proxmire during his successful United States Senate campaigns in 1957 and 1958.[3]

He made his first attempt at elected office in 1962, running for Wood County register of deeds against incumbent Robert J. Ryan, but Hasenohrl fell far short of his Republican opponent in the November general election.[4] Nevertheless, a month later, in December 1962, he was elected chairman of the Wood County Democratic Party for 1963.[3] He was subequently reelected to another year as chairman in January 1964.[5] He ran again for county office in 1964, running for county clerk; he was again defeated by the Republican incumbent.[6][7]

After 1964, Hasenohrl stepped back from his attempts to seek office, but remained invested in local affairs and state politics. He became more involved with local labor organizations and was appointed to the Marshfield City Plan Commission. He and his wife continued to campaign in support of Democrats in the state, such as then-assemblymember Dave Obey and U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson.[2]

In 1974, a decade after his last election, he once again sought higher office. He announced a run for Wisconsin State Assembly in the 70th assembly district seat, which was being vacated by the incumbent John Oestreicher.[2] At the time, the district comprised eastern Clark County, southern Marathon County, northeast Portage County, and northern Wood County.[2] Several Democrats expressed interest in running for the now-open seat, but ultimately Hasenohrl faced only two opponents in the Democratic primaryArlen K. Wanta, town chairman of Rudolph, Wisconsin,[8] and Thomas F. Stockheimer, a supporter of the American Party who believed he'd have a better chance as a Democrat.[9] Hasenohrl prevailed in the September primary with 57% of the vote.[10] The November general election in the 70th assembly district produced the closest outcome in the state; Hasenohrl won the seat by a mere 42 votes.[10][1]

Hasenohrl won reelection in 1976 by a wide margin, helped by a national Democratic wave against the Nixon-Ford years,[11] but faced another difficult contest in 1978, winning by just 581 votes. Following 1978, Hasenohrl won comfortable reelection victories in 1980, 1982, 1984, and 1990, and was unopposed in 1986, 1988, and 1992.

Following close reelection contests in 1994 and 1998, Hasenohrl announced he would not seek a 14th term in 2000.[12]

Hasenohrl served for several years on the committees on highways and transportation, serving as chairman of the transportation committee from 1983 through 1993; he also served for several sessions on the committees on rural development, rural affairs, and forestry.[13] Hasenohrl enthusiastically supported his former legislative aide, Julie Lassa, when she ran for State Assembly in the neighboring 71st assembly district in 1998, and later when she ran for Wisconsin State Senate.[14]

Personal life and family

Donald Hasenohrl married Kathleen J. Stashek on May 13, 1961, in Wisconsin Rapids.[15] His wife was a registered nurse and a teacher at Mid-State Technical College.[2] They had three children, all of whom are now grown, and still reside in Pittsville, Wisconsin, just south of Marshfield.

Hasenohrl has been a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of Columbus, and was member and director of the Wisconsin State Fair Association.[13]

Electoral history

Wood County Register of Deeds (1962)

Wood County Register of Deeds Election, 1962[4]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
General Election, November 6, 1962
Republican Robert J. Ryan (incumbent) 11,929 66.40%
Democratic Donald W. Hasenohrl 6,037 33.60%
Plurality 5,892 32.80%
Total votes 17,966 100.0%
Republican hold

Wood County Clerk (1964)

Wood County Clerk Election, 1964[7]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
General Election, November 3, 1964
Republican Adrian G. Elvod (incumbent) 12,609 56.09%
Democratic Donald W. Hasenohrl 9,869 43.91%
Plurality 2,740 12.19%
Total votes 22,478 100.0%
Republican hold

Wisconsin Assembly (19741998)

Year Election Date Elected Defeated Total Plurality
1974[10] Primary September 10 Donald W. Hasenohrl Democratic 1,352 57.58% Arlen K. Wanta Dem. 630 26.83% 2,348 722
Thomas F. Stockheimer Dem. 366 15.59%
General November 5 Donald W. Hasenohrl Democratic 5,962 50.18% James S. Vedder Rep. 5,920 49.82% 11,882 42
1976[11] General November 2 Donald W. Hasenohrl (inc.) Democratic 12,540 63.64% Patricia A. Keith Rep. 7,166 36.36% 19,706 5,374
1978[16] General November 7 Donald W. Hasenohrl (inc.) Democratic 7,675 51.97% David L. Luepke Rep. 7,094 48.03% 14,769 581
1980[17] General November 4 Donald W. Hasenohrl (inc.) Democratic 12,440 55.42% David L. Luepke Rep. 9,743 43.41% 22,446 2,697
John S. Anderson Lib. 263 1.17%
1982[18] General November 2 Donald W. Hasenohrl (inc.) Democratic 11,624 77.18% Gary T. Hannemann Rep. 3,436 22.82% 15,060 8,188
1984[19] General November 6 Donald W. Hasenohrl (inc.) Democratic 13,136 64.72% Kenneth N. Machtan Rep. 7,161 35.28% 20,297 5,975
1986[20] General November 4 Donald W. Hasenohrl (inc.) Democratic 10,953 100.00% Scattering 10,953 100.00%
1988[21] General November 8 Donald W. Hasenohrl (inc.) Democratic 15,535 100.00% Scattering 15,535 100.00%
1990[22] General November 6 Donald W. Hasenohrl (inc.) Democratic 8,805 69.70% Jack Kelly Rep. 3,828 30.30% 12,633 4,977
1992[23] General November 3 Donald W. Hasenohrl (inc.) Democratic 16,517 100.00% Scattering 16,517 100.00%
1994[24] General November 8 Donald W. Hasenohrl (inc.) Democratic 8,193 51.01% Donna Rozar Rep. 7,526 46.86% 16,060 667
Wayne Wiedeman Tax. 341 2.12%
1996[25] General November 5 Donald W. Hasenohrl (inc.) Democratic 12,957 60.96% Donna Rozar Rep. 8,298 39.04% 21,255 4,659
1998[26] General November 3 Donald W. Hasenohrl (inc.) Democratic 8,906 51.50% MaryAnn Lippert Rep. 8,386 48.50% 17,292 520


References

  1. "Hasenohrl, Donald W. 1935". Wisconsin Historical Society. Retrieved June 19, 2013.
  2. "Hasenohrl Assembly candidate". Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune. Pittsville, Wisconsin. May 16, 1974. p. 2. Retrieved December 28, 2020 via Newspapers.com.
  3. "Hasenohrl New Demo Chairman". Marshfield News-Herald. December 18, 1962. p. 1. Retrieved December 28, 2020 via Newspapers.com.
  4. "County Voters Favor Laird, Heizen, Gee". Marshfield News-Herald. November 7, 1962. Retrieved December 28, 2020 via Newspapers.com.
  5. "County Dems Elect Hasenohrl". Marshfield News-Herald. January 20, 1964. p. 3. Retrieved December 28, 2020 via Newspapers.com.
  6. "Johnson Has Big Edge In Wood County". Stevens Point Journal. November 4, 1964. p. 2. Retrieved December 28, 2020 via Newspapers.com.
  7. "Republicans Win County Offices". Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune. November 4, 1964. p. 1. Retrieved December 28, 2020 via Newspapers.com.
  8. "Rudolph chairman in Assembly race". Stevens Point Journal. June 17, 1974. p. 1. Retrieved December 28, 2020 via Newspapers.com.
  9. "Candidates Discuss the Issues". Marshfield News-Herald. August 15, 1974. p. 11. Retrieved December 28, 2020 via Newspapers.com.
  10. Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau (1975). "Elections" (PDF). In Theobald, H. Rupert; Robbins, Patricia V. (eds.). The state of Wisconsin 1975 Blue Book (Report). State of Wisconsin. pp. 809, 830. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  11. Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau (1977). "Elections" (PDF). In Theobald, H. Rupert; Robbins, Patricia V. (eds.). The state of Wisconsin 1977 Blue Book (Report). State of Wisconsin. pp. 894, 916. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  12. Milfred, Scott (June 17, 2000). "Another Republican steps down from state Assembly". Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved December 28, 2020 via Newspapers.com.
  13. Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau (1999). "Biographies" (PDF). In Barish, Lawrence S.; Meloy, Patricia E. (eds.). State of Wisconsin 1999-2000 Blue Book (Report). State of Wisconsin. p. 69. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  14. "Hasenohrl wants Lassa for 24th District". Marshfield News-Herald. January 28, 2003. p. 6. Retrieved December 28, 2020 via Newspapers.com.
  15. "Miss Kathleen Stashek Wed Saturday to Donald Hasenohrl". Marshfield News-Herald. May 16, 1961. p. 6. Retrieved December 28, 2020 via Newspapers.com.
  16. Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau (1979). "Elections" (PDF). In Theobald, H. Rupert; Robbins, Patricia V. (eds.). The state of Wisconsin 1979-1980 Blue Book (Report). State of Wisconsin. p. 925. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  17. Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau (1981). "Elections" (PDF). In Theobald, H. Rupert; Robbins, Patricia V. (eds.). The state of Wisconsin 1981-1982 Blue Book (Report). State of Wisconsin. p. 916. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  18. Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau (1983). "Elections" (PDF). In Theobald, H. Rupert; Robbins, Patricia V. (eds.). The state of Wisconsin 1983-1984 Blue Book (Report). State of Wisconsin. p. 911. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  19. Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau (1985). "Elections" (PDF). In Theobald, H. Rupert; Robbins, Patricia V. (eds.). The state of Wisconsin 1985-1986 Blue Book (Report). State of Wisconsin. p. 926. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  20. Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau (1987). "Elections" (PDF). In Theobald, H. Rupert; Barish, Lawrence S. (eds.). The state of Wisconsin 1987-1988 Blue Book (Report). State of Wisconsin. p. 908. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  21. Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau (1989). "Elections" (PDF). In Barish, Lawrence S.; Theobald, H. Rupert (eds.). State of Wisconsin 1989-1990 Blue Book (Report). State of Wisconsin. p. 927. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  22. Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau (1991). "Elections" (PDF). In Barish, Lawrence S.; Theobald, H. Rupert (eds.). State of Wisconsin 1991-1992 Blue Book (Report). State of Wisconsin. p. 916. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  23. Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau (1993). "Elections" (PDF). In Barish, Lawrence S.; Theobald, H. Rupert (eds.). State of Wisconsin 1993-1994 Blue Book (Report). State of Wisconsin. p. 923. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  24. Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau (1995). "Elections" (PDF). In Barish, Lawrence S. (ed.). State of Wisconsin 1995-1996 Blue Book (Report). State of Wisconsin. p. 923. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  25. Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau (1997). "Elections" (PDF). In Barish, Lawrence S. (ed.). State of Wisconsin 1997-1998 Blue Book (Report). State of Wisconsin. p. 905. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  26. Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau (1999). "Elections" (PDF). In Barish, Lawrence S.; Meloy, Patricia E. (eds.). State of Wisconsin 1999-2000 Blue Book (Report). State of Wisconsin. p. 883. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
Wisconsin State Assembly
Preceded by
John Oestreicher
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the 70th district
January 3, 1975  January 3, 1983
Succeeded by
John L. Merkt
Preceded by
Donald K. Stitt
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the 60th district
January 3, 1983  January 7, 1985
Succeeded by
Susan Bowers Vergeront
Preceded by
John L. Merkt
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the 70th district
January 7, 1985  January 1, 2001
Succeeded by
MaryAnn Lippert
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