Former Democratic legislator David G. Berger was born in Milwaukee on October 27, 1946. After attending John Marshall High School, he graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1969. In the following year he earned a master's degree in political science from Marquette University. Even as a student Berger began to put political theory into practice, and he served on numerous state and local Democratic organizations and civic groups.
One month before completing his master's degree, Berger won election to the Assembly from the Eighteenth District. He was reelected in 1972, and in 1974 he moved up to the State Senate as a representative from the Fifth District. Well known as a hard working legislator, Berger served on more committees both as senator and as assemblyman than was the norm. These assignments are detailed in biennial editions of the Wisconsin Blue Book.
In 1977 Berger was elected co-chairman of the Joint Committee for the Review of Administrative Rules, a post which he continued to hold for the remainder of his tenure in the Legislature. Under his strong leadership the Wisconsin concept of legislative oversight was refined and expanded, and Berger became nationally known for his work in this area. Because of the broad authority exercised by this committee to examine executive agency rules and procedures, Berger became widely known in Wisconsin as a powerful and controversial public figure.
Berger's personal reputation became even more controversial in 1981 as the result of several brushes with the law. Eventually his record of liberal legislative accomplishment was overshadowed by the more flamboyant aspects of his personality, and in July, 1982, Berger announced that he would not seek a third term. Since leaving the Legislature David Berger has served as director of the Democratic Caucus.
