The David E. Clarenbach Papers document Clarenbach's professional career as a member of the Wisconsin Assembly and date from 1974 through 1992 (bulk 1980s). The collection consists of incoming and outgoing correspondence, speeches, notes, newsletters, press releases, copies of bills, political research data, memoranda, and clippings. The collection is divided into two series: LEGISLATIVE FILES and CONGRESSIONAL CAMPAIGN FILES.
The LEGISLATIVE FILES series consists of alphabetical subject files on the issues with which Clarenbach was most active including AIDS legislation, abortion, gay rights, women's issues, patients' rights, and the divesture of state funds in South Africa. Most of the documentation consists of press releases and announcements prepared by Clarenbach's office, bill drafts prepared by the Legislative Reference Bureau, and communications sent to Clarenbach or prepared on his behalf in support of or opposition to proposed legislation. There is also a tape recording of Representative Clarenbach speaking in the Wisconsin Assembly during the final disposition of Assembly Bill 235, the Sexual Consent Bill on May 7, 1981.
The CONGRESSIONAL CAMPAIGN FILES series documents a research study conducted on behalf of the Clarenbach campaign during his 1992 bid to represent Wisconsin's 2nd District in the United States Congress. The files consist of political research data compiled by an outside research group and include polling statistics, data analysis, key findings, and strategic recommendations extracted from a survey conducted of Wisconsin voters. The files also contain research reports on Clarenbach and his opponent Scott Klug giving vote history, questionable actions taken, beliefs, expenses, and PAC money taken, and focus group scripts giving brief summaries of positions in commercial format.
