Proxmire

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Bulldog of the Senate

Jonathan Kasparek

A biography of a tough and influential Wisconsin major political figure who always voted his conscience and never forgot about the people he represented.

392 pages, 6 x 9, 23 b&w photos
Hardcover: $28.95 | ISBN: 978-0-87020-908-6
Ebook: $15.99 | ISBN: 978-0-87020-909-3
Publication Date: 3/18/2019

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Description

From 1950 to 1989, William Proxmire was a major figure in Wisconsin politics, serving one term in the legislature before running for governor. Denied the governorship three times in six years, he shocked everyone by winning a special election in 1957 to replace the late Senator Joe McCarthy, and he went on to win reelection six times. Proxmire: Bulldog of the Senate is the first comprehensive biography of one of Wisconsin's most important, and entertaining, political figures.

Known for championing consumer-protection legislation and farming interests, Senator Proxmire also fought continuously against wasteful government spending, highlighting the most egregious examples with his monthly “Golden Fleece Award.” Remembered by many Wisconsinites as a friendly, hand-shaking fixture at sporting events and state fairs, Proxmire was one of the few politicians who voted his conscience and never forgot about the people he represented.

Author Bios

Jonathan Kasparek

Jonathan Kasparek is a history professor at the University of Wisconsin–Waukesha and the author of several books and articles on Wisconsin history, including the award-winning Fighting Son: A Biography of Philip F. La Follette and Proxmire: Bulldog of the Senate. He lives in Waukesha.

‘Proxmire’ skillfully captures the enigmatic senator’s life and how he was able to forge a coalition of farmers and urban laborers to finally win a Senate seat after losing three straight times in races for governor. This book is a masterful look at what made Prox tick and explains why, years after his death, he’s still a true Wisconsin political legend. Kasparek has shown again why he’s one of the state’s most highly regarded historians.