James Harsdorf | |
|---|---|
| 8th Secretary of theWisconsin 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 theWisconsin Senate from the10th district | |
| In office January 5, 1981 – January 2, 1989 | |
| Preceded by | Michele Radosevich |
| Succeeded by | Richard Shoemaker |
| Member of theWisconsin State Assembly from the30th 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 75) Stillwater, Minnesota, U.S. |
| 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 andRepublican politician from thePierce County, Wisconsin. He was the 8th secretary of theWisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, serving in the administration of GovernorScott McCallum, and previously served eight years in theWisconsin Senate and three years in theState 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.
Born inStillwater, Minnesota, Harsdorf graduated from theUniversity of Minnesota with a degree in animal science.[1][2] He was elected to theWisconsin State Assembly in a 1977 special election, defeating future Wisconsin Secretary of Agriculture Rod Nilsestuen, and served until 1981. He won election to theWisconsin State Senate in 1980, defeating first-term incumbentDemocrat Michelle Radosevich. He served from 1981 to 1989.
In1996, he ran for theUnited States House of Representatives in the open seat forWisconsin's 3rd congressional district. He was defeated by DemocratRon 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.
| Wisconsin State Assembly | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Member of theWisconsin State Assemblyfrom the30th district November 7, 1977 – January 5, 1981 | Succeeded by |
| Wisconsin Senate | ||
| Preceded by | Member of theWisconsin Senatefrom the10th district January 5, 1981 – January 2, 1989 | Succeeded by |
| Government offices | ||
| Preceded by | Secretary of theWisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection February 15, 2001 – January 6, 2003 | Succeeded by Rod Nilsestuen |
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