Donald W. Hasenohrl

Wisconsin State Assembly

What is Donald W. Hasenohrl known for?

Donald William "Donnie" Hasenohrl, a Marshfield, Wisconsin native, is a distinguished alumnus of Marshfield High School and a notable figure in American politics. Born on November 25, 1935, Hasenohrl's journey to the political stage was prefaced with work as a farmer during his youth, a firefighter, and a steelworker at the Felker Brothers Manufacturing Company. His commitment to labor saw him join the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers as a delegate to the Marshfield Central Labor Council.

Hasenohrl's political career began with the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, where he established the Marshfield Young Democrats and served as a field staffer for William Proxmire's successful United States Senate campaigns in 1957 and 1958. Despite falling short in his first attempt for elected office in 1962, Hasenohrl undeterred, continued his political journey, and in December 1962, he was elected chairman of the Wood County Democratic Party for 1963. His dedicated work with local labor organizations and contributions to local affairs saw him appointed to the Marshfield City Plan Commission.

His perseverance finally paid off in 1974 when he made another bid for public office, this time for the Wisconsin State Assembly's 70th district seat. Hasenohrl's triumph in the Democratic primary led to a close general election, which he won by a mere 42 votes. Following this victory, Hasenohrl went on to serve in the Wisconsin State Assembly for an astounding 26 years, from 1975 to 2001, representing his hometown and surrounding areas. His tenure was punctuated by three consecutive district shifts: 70th district from 1975 to 1983, 60th district from 1983 to 1985, and back to the 70th district from 1985 to 2001.

Hasenohrl's dedicated service to his community and his significant contributions to Wisconsin's Democratic party underscore the enduring impact of his political career, which continues to inspire successive generations of Marshfield High School graduates.

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