Dave Schulz (politician)
Encyclopedia
David F. Schulz was a U.S.
politician and County Executive of Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
from 1988 to 1992.
Schulz was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
, where his father was a tax enforcement supervisor and his mother a secretary at the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee. He graduated from Riverside High School, and received his bachelor's degree in civil engineering from Purdue University
. He later received his master's degree in public management from Northwestern University
in Evanston, Illinois
.
Throughout the 1970s, Schulz held a variety of positions in both Chicago
and Milwaukee city government. In 1977, he joined the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission. However, just 2 years later, he was named an Assistant Budget Director for the City of Chicago, and later, in May 1983, Schulz became the Budget Director for Chicago's newly-elected mayor, Harold Washington
. Less than one year later, in February 1984, he accepted the same position in the government of Milwaukee County Executive William O'Donnell
, bringing him back to his hometown.
Schulz's arrival on the political scene came in December 1985 when O'Donnell named Schulz his new parks director. In that capacity, Schulz oversaw the budget of the county park system and implemented a widespread promotional campaign. That campaign was notable for a series of promotional stunts that involved Schulz, at nearly 470 lbs., sliding down water slides in a wet t-shirt.
Amidst criticism that Schulz was politicizing the parks director position, he made a political endorsement of then-State Senator John Norquist
for mayor of Milwaukee in 1988. O'Donnell immediately fired him for making the endorsement without approval, and Schulz shortly thereafter announced he would run against his former boss O'Donnell for County Executive in 1988. Schulz defeated O'Donnell in the election by a 2-1 margin.
Schulz only served one term as County Executive, deciding that, with a notorious hot temper, he wasn't prepared to be a politician and accordingly wouldn't seek re-election in 1992. His tenure had been marked by clashes with the County Board of Supervisors, as well as the County Sheriff, Richard Artison, and members of the state legislature from the Milwaukee area. While he triumphed over initiating the efforts that eventually led to the construction of Miller Park nearly 10 years later, upgrading Mitchell International Airport, and expanding the parks system, his time in office was also remembered for high property tax increases and a scandal within the Milwaukee County Zoo
system.
Schulz was succeeded by Tom Ament
, his frequent nemesis on the County Board of Supervisors. He later moved back to northern Illinois, where he experienced health problems due to his weight. He died on October 7, 2007 at the age of 58. He was survived by his wife, Jo Ann and son, Bobby. His portrait can be seen hanging outside the County Executive's office in the Milwaukee County Courthouse.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician and County Executive of Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
from 1988 to 1992.
Schulz was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee is the largest city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, the 28th most populous city in the United States and 39th most populous region in the United States. It is the county seat of Milwaukee County and is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. According to 2010 census data, the...
, where his father was a tax enforcement supervisor and his mother a secretary at the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee. He graduated from Riverside High School, and received his bachelor's degree in civil engineering from Purdue University
Purdue University
Purdue University, located in West Lafayette, Indiana, U.S., is the flagship university of the six-campus Purdue University system. Purdue was founded on May 6, 1869, as a land-grant university when the Indiana General Assembly, taking advantage of the Morrill Act, accepted a donation of land and...
. He later received his master's degree in public management from Northwestern University
Northwestern University
Northwestern University is a private research university in Evanston and Chicago, Illinois, USA. Northwestern has eleven undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools offering 124 undergraduate degrees and 145 graduate and professional degrees....
in Evanston, Illinois
Evanston, Illinois
Evanston is a suburban municipality in Cook County, Illinois 12 miles north of downtown Chicago, bordering Chicago to the south, Skokie to the west, and Wilmette to the north, with an estimated population of 74,360 as of 2003. It is one of the North Shore communities that adjoin Lake Michigan...
.
Throughout the 1970s, Schulz held a variety of positions in both Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
and Milwaukee city government. In 1977, he joined the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission. However, just 2 years later, he was named an Assistant Budget Director for the City of Chicago, and later, in May 1983, Schulz became the Budget Director for Chicago's newly-elected mayor, Harold Washington
Harold Washington
Harold Lee Washington was an American lawyer and politician who became the first African-American Mayor of Chicago, serving from 1983 until his death in 1987.- Early years and military service :...
. Less than one year later, in February 1984, he accepted the same position in the government of Milwaukee County Executive William O'Donnell
William O'Donnell (Wisconsin politician)
William F. O'Donnell was an American politician from Wisconsin.O'Donnell served on the Milwaukee County, Wisconsin Board of Supervisors. From 1976-1988, O'Donnell served as County Executive of Milwaukee County.- Notes :...
, bringing him back to his hometown.
Schulz's arrival on the political scene came in December 1985 when O'Donnell named Schulz his new parks director. In that capacity, Schulz oversaw the budget of the county park system and implemented a widespread promotional campaign. That campaign was notable for a series of promotional stunts that involved Schulz, at nearly 470 lbs., sliding down water slides in a wet t-shirt.
Amidst criticism that Schulz was politicizing the parks director position, he made a political endorsement of then-State Senator John Norquist
John Norquist
John Olof Norquist is an American politician and 37th mayor of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He served as mayor from 1988 until he left office in 2004 to lead the Congress for the New Urbanism.-Personal background:...
for mayor of Milwaukee in 1988. O'Donnell immediately fired him for making the endorsement without approval, and Schulz shortly thereafter announced he would run against his former boss O'Donnell for County Executive in 1988. Schulz defeated O'Donnell in the election by a 2-1 margin.
Schulz only served one term as County Executive, deciding that, with a notorious hot temper, he wasn't prepared to be a politician and accordingly wouldn't seek re-election in 1992. His tenure had been marked by clashes with the County Board of Supervisors, as well as the County Sheriff, Richard Artison, and members of the state legislature from the Milwaukee area. While he triumphed over initiating the efforts that eventually led to the construction of Miller Park nearly 10 years later, upgrading Mitchell International Airport, and expanding the parks system, his time in office was also remembered for high property tax increases and a scandal within the Milwaukee County Zoo
Milwaukee County Zoo
The Milwaukee County Zoo is a zoo in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, operated by the Milwaukee County Parks Commission. The zoo houses 1,800 animals and covers an area of . It is noted for the first birth of polar bears and siamangs in captivity...
system.
Schulz was succeeded by Tom Ament
Tom Ament
Francis Thomas Ament , a United States politician, was the County Executive of Milwaukee County, Wisconsin from 1992 to 2002....
, his frequent nemesis on the County Board of Supervisors. He later moved back to northern Illinois, where he experienced health problems due to his weight. He died on October 7, 2007 at the age of 58. He was survived by his wife, Jo Ann and son, Bobby. His portrait can be seen hanging outside the County Executive's office in the Milwaukee County Courthouse.