James Harsdorf

James Harsdorf
8th Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
In office February 15, 2001 – January 6, 2003
Governor	Scott McCallum
Preceded by	Ben Brancel
Succeeded by	Rod Nilsestuen
Member of the Wisconsin Senate from the 10th district
In office January 5, 1981 – January 2, 1989
Preceded by	Michele Radosevich
Succeeded by	Richard Shoemaker
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the 30th district
In office November 7, 1977 – January 5, 1981
Preceded by	Michael P. Early
Succeeded by	Jule Berndt
Personal details
Born	(1950-11-07) November 7, 1950 (age 74) Stillwater, Minnesota, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Lanette
Children	4
Relatives	Sheila Harsdorf (sister)
Alma mater	University of Minnesota
Occupation	Farmer

James E. Harsdorf (born November 7, 1950) is an American dairy farmer and Republican politician from the Pierce County, Wisconsin. He was the 8th secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, serving in the administration of Governor Scott McCallum, and previously served eight years in the Wisconsin Senate and three years in the State Assembly, representing parts of northwestern Wisconsin. His sister, Sheila Harsdorf, also served in the state Legislature, representing both districts he had, and was later secretary of the same department.

Biography

Born in Stillwater, Minnesota, Harsdorf graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in animal science.[1][2] He was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in a 1977 special election, defeating future Wisconsin Secretary of Agriculture Rod Nilsestuen, and served until 1981. He won election to the Wisconsin State Senate in 1980, defeating first-term incumbent Democrat Michelle Radosevich. He served from 1981 to 1989.

In 1996, he ran for the United States House of Representatives in the open seat for Wisconsin's 3rd congressional district. He was defeated by Democrat Ron Kind, receiving 48% of the vote.[3]

Harsdorf's younger sister, Sheila, was elected to his former assembly seat in 1988, and served in that body until 1999. She subsequently ran for and won his old senate seat, serving from 2001 to 2017.

References

1. "Wisconsin". Time. June 24, 2001. Archived from the original on February 6, 2008. Retrieved August 12, 2021 – via Wayback Machine.
2. "The Religious Affiliation of Radio Broadcaster, Political Candidate - James Harsdorf". Adherents.com. Archived from the original on March 29, 2016. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
3. Barish, Lawrence S., ed. (1997). "Elections". State of Wisconsin 1997–1998 Blue Book (Report). Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. p. 881. Retrieved August 12, 2021.

Wisconsin State Assembly
Preceded by Michael P. Early	Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the 30th district November 7, 1977 – January 5, 1981	Succeeded by Jule Berndt
Wisconsin Senate
Preceded by Michele Radosevich	Member of the Wisconsin Senate from the 10th district January 5, 1981 – January 2, 1989	Succeeded by Richard Shoemaker
Government offices
Preceded by Ben Brancel	Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection February 15, 2001 – January 6, 2003	Succeeded by Rod Nilsestuen