Democratic legislator R. Michael Ferrall was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on October 3, 1936, but his family later moved to Wisconsin and he attended Gresham High School. After service in the U.S. Navy from 1954 through 1957, Ferrall returned to Wisconsin and graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point in 1962 with a degree in political science. He later did graduate work at the University of California at Berkeley (1967) and received an M.S. in political science from UW-Milwaukee in 1970. In addition to his academic course work in political science, Ferrall gained experience in electoral politics while still a student by serving as head of the Young Democrats at Stevens Point from 1959 through 1962 and as vice-chairman of the state Young Democratic organization in 1961.
Ferrall settled in Racine where he taught social science at William Horlick High School and later at Washington Park High School. During the 1960's he headed the Racine Political and Economic Reform Committee which did research on issues of public concern. He also was involved in a number of environmental groups. His first try for political office during this period - a campaign for Racine city council - was an unsuccessful one. In 1968 he headed the congressional campaign committee for Lynn Stalbaum. In 1969 Ferrall narrowly lost in a bid for chairman of the county organization.. Then in 1970 Assemblyman Earl Warren decided not to seek reelection, and Ferrall announced and won election to the traditionally-Democratic seat. He was reelected by wide margins in each succeeding election until his own retirement in 1980.
In the Assembly Ferrall served as chairman of the Education Committee for two terms (1973-1974 and 1975-1976) and head of Administrative Rules for one session (1975-1976). As chairman of the Education Committee, he introduced the practice of holding public hearings on relevant portions of the budget. Other committee assignments are listed in biennial editions of the Blue Book. Ferrall rose steadily within the party structure as a result of his hard work and his flair for floor debate, and in 1977 he was selected as assistant majority floor leader. The caucus reelected him to that post in 1979. As assistant majority leader, Ferrall held key positions on the Assembly Organization Committee, the Rules Committee, the Joint Committee on Legislative Organization, and the Legislative Council; he served as co-chairman of the Capitol Facilities Review Subcommittee.
Ferrall represented the Assembly on various committees including the Education Communications Board, the Governor's Task Force on Mass Transportation, the Special Committee on Municipal Collective Bargaining, the Special Committee on School Aid Formula, and the Alternative Energy Task Force of the Wisconsin Center for Public Policy. He was instrumental in organizing the Assembly Democratic Campaign Committee and served as its treasurer, 1974-1980.
Efforts with which Ferrall was particularly identified included his sponsorship of environmental legislation, an alternative energy bill, and product liability, but he was best known for his sponsorship of a privacy bill which earned him the antipathy of the Wisconsin press. Already a controversial figure, Ferrall became even more so when some of his financial and family matters were aired by the media. Although Ferrall was cleared of all charges, the lingering public impression no doubt had much to do with his decision not to seek reelection in 1980. Since leaving the Legislature, Ferrall has been legislative liaison for the Port of Los Angeles.
R. Michael Ferrall is divorced and has five children.
