Herb Kohl
Herb Kohl | |
---|---|
Chair of the Senate Aging Committee | |
In office January 3, 2007 – January 3, 2013 | |
Preceded by | Gordon H. Smith |
Succeeded by | Bill Nelson |
United States Senator from Wisconsin | |
In office January 3, 1989 – January 3, 2013 | |
Preceded by | William Proxmire |
Succeeded by | Tammy Baldwin |
Chair of the Wisconsin Democratic Party | |
In office April 12, 1975 – June 11, 1977 | |
Preceded by | William Gerrard |
Succeeded by | Michael Bleicher |
Personal details | |
Born | Herbert Hiken Kohl February 7, 1935 Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. |
Died | December 27, 2023 Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. | (aged 88)
Political party | Democratic |
Education | University of Wisconsin–Madison (BS) Harvard University (MBA) |
Signature | |
Military service | |
Allegiance | United States |
Branch/service | United States Army |
Years of service | 1958–1964 |
Unit | Army Reserve |
Herbert Hiken Kohl (February 7, 1935 – December 27, 2023) was an American businessman, philanthropist, and
Alongside his brother and father, he was a founder of the Kohl's department stores chain, of which he went on to become president and chief executive officer. He purchased the Milwaukee Bucks of the National Basketball Association in 1985 to prevent the team from relocating out of Milwaukee. He is also the namesake of the Kohl Center arena on the University of Wisconsin–Madison campus.
Early life, education, and career
Herbert Hiken Kohl was born on February 7, 1935, and raised in Milwaukee, the son of Mary (née Hiken) and Max Kohl.
After finishing graduate school, Kohl worked as an investor in real estate and the stock market, eventually spinning off his own company, Kohl Investments, to manage these assets. He and his brother became heirs to a family-owned chain that included 50 grocery stores and several department stores, pharmacies and liquor stores. In 1970, Kohl was named president of
After becoming prominent in Wisconsin business circles, Kohl also became involved in state politics as a donor and fundraiser for Patrick Lucey, who was elected Governor of Wisconsin in 1970 and reelected in 1974. After the 1974 election, Kohl first emerged in the state political arena as master of ceremonies at Lucey's second inauguration. Shortly after that inauguration, the chairman of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, Bill Gerrard—another Lucey ally—resigned.[8] Lucey encouraged Kohl to seek the chairmanship, and Kohl agreed. He was named interim chairman at an April 12, 1975, emergency session, and was then elected by the party's state convention delegates later that summer.[9]
Under Kohl's chairmanship, Democrats won historic victories in the 1976 election, reaching a supermajority in both chambers of the legislature for the first time since the creation of the Republican Party. Wisconsin also gave its electoral votes to the Democratic presidential candidate for the first time since 1964. And during the presidential nominating contest, Wisconsin's Democratic state primary had emerged as one of the pivotal contests in selecting a nominee. Shortly after the 1976 election, Kohl announced he felt that he had accomplished enough as chairman and was ready to step down.[10] He ultimately remained in office until the June 1977 state party convention.[11][12]
Milwaukee Bucks
Kohl purchased the Milwaukee Bucks of the National Basketball Association (NBA) from Jim Fitzgerald in 1985 for $18 million[13] to ensure the team remained in Milwaukee. In 2003, he considered an offer to sell the team to former NBA superstar Michael Jordan, but decided to retain ownership.[14]
In 2013, Kohl began to bring in new partners who were committed to keeping the team in Milwaukee.[15] Kohl agreed to sell the Bucks to New York–based billionaires Wes Edens and Marc Lasry for $550 million on April 16, 2014.[13]
U.S. Senate
Incumbent
On May 13, 2011, Kohl announced he would not run for re-election in 2012, saying, "The office doesn't belong to me. It belongs to the people of Wisconsin, and there is something to be said for not staying in office too long."[22]
Committee assignments
- Committee on Appropriations
- Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies (chairman)
- Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies
- Subcommittee on Defense
- Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies
- Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies
- Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies
- Committee on Banking, Housing, Urban Affairs
- Subcommittee on Housing, Transportation, and Community Development
- Subcommittee on Financial Institutions
- Subcommittee on Security and International Trade and Finance
- Committee on the Judiciary (Vice Chairman)
- Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights(chairman)
- Subcommittee on Crime and Drugs
- Subcommittee on Terrorism, Technology and Homeland Security
- Special Committee on Aging (chairman)
- Source[23]
Political positions
Kohl has been described as having been a populist-leaning liberal.[24]
Kohl supported President
Fiscal policy
Kohl voted in favor of most lawsuit reform measures as well as for rules tightening
Kohl generally had a pro-environmental record and was an outspoken proponent of American energy independence. He supported increased production of
Social policy
Kohl supported
In 2005, Kohl secured a victory for one of his main causes: requiring handguns to be sold with
Foreign policy
Kohl voted against many
Kohl voted against authorizing the
Personal life and death
Kohl was the wealthiest resident of Milwaukee, the richest Jewish American from Wisconsin, and one of the wealthiest U.S. senators.[41] In 2016, Forbes estimated Kohl's net worth to be $630 million.[42]
Kohl was elected to the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007.[43] On July 22, 2021, Kohl was the key figure of the lead car in the Milwaukee Bucks NBA Championship parade. On the event, he said: "This is one of the big days of my life."[44] Kohl attended the Bucks' 2021–22 season opener at Fiserv Forum and was presented with a Bucks championship ring for his efforts in keeping the Bucks in Milwaukee.[45]
Kohl died on December 27, 2023, at age 88, at home in Milwaukee, following a brief illness.
Philanthropy
Kohl donated $25 million to the University of Wisconsin–Madison for construction of its new sports arena, which was named the Kohl Center. In 1990, Kohl established the Herb Kohl Educational Foundation Achievement Award Program, which provides annual grants totaling $400,000 to 200 graduating seniors, 100 teachers, and 100 schools throughout Wisconsin.[49] In 2016, he gave $1.5 million to the Robert M. La Follette School of Public Affairs to create the Herb Kohl Public Service Research Competition, promoting public policy research.[50]
Electoral history
U.S. Senate (1988–2006)
Year | Election | Date | Elected | Defeated | Total | Plurality | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1988 | Primary[51] | Sep. 13 | Herb Kohl | Democratic | 249,226 | 46.78% | Tony Earl | Dem. | 203,479 | 38.19% | 533,004 | 45,747 |
Ed Garvey | Dem. | 55,225 | 10.37% | |||||||||
Doug La Follette | Dem. | 19,819 | 3.72% | |||||||||
Edmund Hou-Seye | Dem. | 5,040 | 0.95% | |||||||||
General[51] | Nov. 8 | Herb Kohl | Democratic | 1,128,625 | 52.08% | Susan Engeleiter | Rep. | 1,030,440 | 47.55% | 2,167,257 | 98,185 | |
George W. Zaehringer | Ind.
|
3,965 | 0.18% | |||||||||
Patricia Grogan | Ind.
|
3,029 | 0.14% | |||||||||
Arlyn F. Wollenburg | Ind.
|
1,198 | 0.06% | |||||||||
1994 | Primary[52] | Sep. 13 | Herb Kohl (inc) | Democratic | 135,982 | 89.72% | Edmund Hou-Seye | Dem. | 15,579 | 10.28% | 151,561 | 120,403 |
General[52] | Nov. 8 | Herb Kohl (inc) | Democratic | 912,662 | 58.31% | Robert T. Welch | Rep. | 636,989 | 40.70% | 1,565,090 | 275,673 | |
James Dean | Lib. | 15,439 | 0.99% | |||||||||
2000 | Primary[53] | Sep. 12 | Herb Kohl (inc) | Democratic | 184,920 | 89.78% | Jim Sigl | Dem. | 20,858 | 10.13% | 205,981 | 164,062 |
General[54] | Nov. 7 | Herb Kohl (inc) | Democratic | 1,563,238 | 61.54% | John Gillespie | Rep. | 940,744 | 37.04% | 2,540,083 | 622,494 | |
Tim Peterson | Lib. | 21,348 | 0.84% | |||||||||
Eugene A. Hem | Ind.
|
9,555 | 0.38% | |||||||||
Robert R. Raymond | Con. | 4,296 | 0.17% | |||||||||
2006 | Primary[55] | Sep. 12 | Herb Kohl (inc) | Democratic | 308,178 | 85.66% | Ben Masel | Dem. | 51,245 | 14.24% | 359,758 | 256,933 |
General[56] | Nov. 7 | Herb Kohl (inc) | Democratic | 1,439,214 | 67.31% | Robert G. Lorge | Rep. | 630,299 | 29.48% | 2,138,297 | 808,915 | |
Rae Vogeler | Grn. | 42,434 | 1.98% | |||||||||
Ben J. Glatzel | Ind.
|
25,096 | 1.17% |
See also
References
- ^ a b c McFadden, Robert D. (December 28, 2023). "Herbert Kohl, Former Wisconsin Senator and Milwaukee Bucks Owner, Dies at 88". The New York Times.
- ISBN 9780810877382. Retrieved August 8, 2014.
- Senate.gov. Archived from the original(PDF) on December 21, 2012. Retrieved August 11, 2019.
- ^ Rosenbaum, David E. (November 19, 1999). "Quiet, Peaceable Man Just Wants to Hogtie Senate". The New York Times.
- US News. Retrieved August 8, 2014.
- University of Wisconsin-Madison. Retrieved January 18, 2019.
- ^ McNeil Hamilton, Martha (April 8, 2001). "Kohl's stores keep it simple to grab busy shoppers". Cape Cod Times. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- ^ Rettig, Jessica (June 28, 2010). "10 Things You Didn't Know About Herb Kohl". U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
- ^ Jsonline.com. Archived from the originalon April 17, 2014. Retrieved August 8, 2014.
- ^ "ESPN.com: NBA – No Sale to MJ: Kohl to keep Bucks". ESPN.com.
- ^ Gardner, Charles F. (December 16, 2013). "Bucks owner Herb Kohl plans to broaden team ownership". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
- ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
- ^ "THE 1988 ELECTIONS: Midwest; WISCONSIN". The New York Times. November 9, 1988.
- ^ "Seven New Faces". Time. June 24, 2001. Archived from the original on September 30, 2007. Retrieved August 11, 2019.
- ^ Archives, L. A. Times (November 9, 1994). "ELECTIONS '94 / The Midwest : ILLINOIS". Los Angeles Times.
- ^ "Kohl bucks Gillespie; retains seat". Journal Times. November 8, 2000.
- ^ "Voters return Kohl to Senate for fourth term". Green Bay Press-Gazette. November 8, 2006. p. 7 – via newspapers.com.
- Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. Archived from the originalon January 14, 2012. Retrieved August 11, 2019.
- ^ "Herb Kohl" (PDF). GovInfo. 2014. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
- ^ a b c d "Herbert Kohl on the Issues". Ontheissues.org. Retrieved August 29, 2010.
- ^ "U.S. Senate: Legislation & Records Home > Votes > Roll Call Vote". Senate.gov. Retrieved May 11, 2012.
- ^ "U.S. Senate: Legislation & Records Home > Votes > Roll Call Vote". Senate.gov. Retrieved August 29, 2010.
- ^ "US Senate candidates differ on crime". Stevens Point Journal. October 24, 1994. p. 19 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "Senate rejects same-sex marriage". Wisconsin State Journal. September 11, 1996. p. 1 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "Wisconsin senators plant to vote against gay-marriage amendment". Marshfield News-Herald. July 7, 2004. p. 5 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ Platteville, William J. Broske (June 18, 2008). "STILL LEGAL TO DESECRATE FLAG". Wisconsin State Journal.
- ^ "Senate Backs Handgun Safety Locks – CBS News". www.cbsnews.com. March 2, 2004.
- ^ Kohl, Sen. Herbert (July 27, 2005). "Kohl Amendment: Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act". GovTrack. Archived from the original on January 14, 2012. Retrieved August 11, 2019.
- ^ "Senate roll call vote (H.R. 3450)". Senate.gov. November 20, 1993. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
- ^ Rosenbaum, David E. (November 21, 1993). "Without earlier drama, trade accord is passed". The New York Times. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
- ^ "Senate roll call vote (H.R. 3045)". Senate.gov. July 28, 2005. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
- ^ Beitlich, Sue (July 14, 2005). "Opinion: Support family farms by opposing CAFTA". Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
- ^ Grunwald, Michael (September 20, 1999). "Milk price fight again spilling into Congress". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
- ^ Rosenbaum, David E. (October 3, 1999). "Battle in Congress over milk prices pits east against Midwest". The New York Times. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
- ^ "Senate roll call vote (H.R. 4444)". Senate.gov. September 19, 2000. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
- ^ "OnPolitics (washingtonpost.com)". www.washingtonpost.com. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
- Gannett Co. Inc.May 20, 2005. Retrieved August 11, 2019.
- ^ "Herb Kohl". Forbes. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
- ^ "Wisconsin Athletic Hall Of Fame Will Honor Herb Kohl". KFIZ News-Talk 1450 AM. February 28, 2016.
- ^ "Former Sen. Herb Kohl: '1 of the big days of my life'". July 22, 2021.
- ^ "Bucks honor Herb Kohl with championship ring". October 24, 2021 – via www.wisn.com.
- ^ Glauber, Amy Rabideau Silvers, Craig Gilbert and Bill. "Herb Kohl, former U.S. senator and Milwaukee Bucks owner, dies at age 88". Journal Sentinel.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ McFadden, Robert D. (December 27, 2023). "Herbert Kohl, Former Wisconsin Senator and Milwaukee Bucks Owner, Dies at 88". The New York Times. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
- ^ staff, WBAY news (December 28, 2023). "Gov. Evers orders flags to half-staff in honor of former U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl". www.wbay.com.
- University of Wisconsin. December 23, 2014. Retrieved August 11, 2019.
- ^ "Nobody's Senator but Ours | on Wisconsin".
- ^ a b Barish, Lawrence S.; Theobald, H. Rupert, eds. (1989). "Elections in Wisconsin". State of Wisconsin 1989–1990 Blue Book (Report). Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. pp. 904, 918. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
- ^ a b Barish, Lawrence S., ed. (1995). "Elections in Wisconsin". State of Wisconsin 1995–1996 Blue Book (Report). Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. pp. 896, 915. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
- ^ Results of Fall Primary Election – 09/12/2000 (Report). Wisconsin State Elections Board. September 27, 2000. p. 2. Retrieved December 28, 2023 – via Wisconsin Historical Society.
- ^ Results of Fall General Election – 11/07/2000 (Report). Wisconsin State Elections Board. May 10, 2001. p. 2. Retrieved December 28, 2023 – via Wisconsin Historical Society.
- ^ Results of Fall Primary Election – 09/12/2006 (Report). Wisconsin State Elections Board. October 17, 2006. p. 6. Retrieved December 28, 2023 – via Wisconsin Historical Society.
- ^ Results of Fall General Election – 11/07/2006 (Report). Wisconsin State Elections Board. December 11, 2006. p. 3. Retrieved December 28, 2023 – via Wisconsin Historical Society.