EVOLUTION OF WISCONSIN DEMOCRATIC PARTY
Scope and Content Note: Wisconsin Democrats historically conservatives; e.g., a Democratic-Republican coalition helped defeat Progressive Republicans in 1938; most Democrats “hated” FDR and the New Deal; many young Democrats of the 1930's later became Republicans. Democrats of a “liberal philosophy” gained statewide attention in 1948 when Carl Thompson, a “very capable young man,” unsuccessfully ran for Governor and Gaylord Nelson, a former Republican, defeated Progressive Republican state Senator Fred Risser, Sr. Not until after 1954 did Polk County Democrats gain “respectability” as increasing numbers of successful farmers joined the party. Dueholm first elected to Wisconsin Assembly in 1956; Polk County Democrats even better established after William Proxmire won the 1957 special U.S. Senate election.