Trailblazing Jewish Democrat #10: Herb Kohl

Jason Attermann — May 13, 2011 – 2:01 pm | Jewish American Heritage Month 2011 Comments (0) Add a comment

Today, Senator Kohl announced his plans to retire after four consecutive terms as a Senator from Wisconsin. His career spans the fields of politics, business and sports.

Herbert Kohl was born on February 7, 1935 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Kohl received his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1956 and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Harvard Business School in 1958.

Upon graduation, he served in the Army Reserves until 1964. He founded Kohl Investments to manage a portfolio of investments in the stock market and real estate. In 1970, he was named President of Kohl’s, his family’s department and grocery stores. Kohl remained an executive with the company through its sale in 1979. He remains the President of Kohl Investment.

From 1975 to 1977, he served as Chairman of the Wisconsin Democratic Party. Upon the announcement of Democratic Senator William Proxmire’s retirement, Kohl decided to run for the seat in 1988. His campaign adopted the slogan, “Nobody’s Senator but yours.” In a close race, Kohl defeated Republican Susan Engeleiter in the general election to become the first Jewish Senator from Wisconsin. Kohl won re-election in 1994, 2000, and 2006.

Kohl sits on the Senate Appropriations Committee, Judiciary Committee and Banking Committee, and chairs the Special Committee on Aging. He serves as Chairman for the Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee and the Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights Subcommittee. During his tenure, he worked to expand child nutrition programs in public schools and fund juvenile after-school programs. Kohl sponsored the Child Safety Lock Act which requires the sale of safety locks with handguns. He also supported bills to reduce the costs of prescription drugs and improve the quality of nursing homes.

Known as passionate sports fan, Kohl purchased the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks in 1985 to keep the team based in Milwaukee. He also donated $25 million to the University of Wisconsin for the building of a new sports arena. In 2007, he was elected into the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame.

In 1990, Kohl established the Herb Kohl Educational Foundation Achievement Award Program. The Foundation provides grants to schools, teachers, and graduating high school students in Wisconsin.

The NJDC’s reaction to Senator Kohl’s retirement can be read here.

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