Martin J. Schreiber
Encyclopedia
Martin James "Marty" Schreiber (born April 8, 1939) is an American politician, publisher, and lobbyist. A Democrat
, Schreiber served in the Wisconsin State Senate
from 1963 to 1971 before becoming lieutenant governor of Wisconsin
and (following the resignation of Governor Patrick Joseph Lucey
) Governor of Wisconsin. Schreiber, served as the state's 39th governor from 1977 to 1979.
Schreiber lost a bid for election as governor in 1978 and lost his bid for the Democratic nomination in the 1982 primary
. Schreiber formed a successful lobbying
firm in 1988.
. His father Martin E. Schreiber
was a Republican member of the Wisconsin State Assembly
(1941-1944), and later a member of the Milwaukee Common Council (1944 to 1976). The younger Schreiber attended the youth government and leadership program Badger Boys State
in 1956 as a representative chosen from his high school. He attended the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee (1956–60) where he was a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon
fraternity; and law school at Marquette University
.
, Schreiber served in the Wisconsin State Senate
from 1963 to 1971. During his political career, Schreiber focused on education, children’s issues, consumer protection, and the rights of workers and the elderly. He established a special nursing home residents’ ombudsman program, among the first of its kind in the nation.
In 1970, he was elected lieutenant governor
on the Lucey-Schreiber ticket. In July 1977, following the resignation of Lucey to become the United States ambassador to Mexico
, Schreiber succeeded him as Governor for the remainder of their four-year term. In 1978, Schreiber had the political misfortune of running for office during a period of double-digit interest rates, high inflation, and increasing unemployment. Inflation also caused local governments to raise property taxes and forced state residents into higher income-tax brackets. He campaigned on his own limited track record in the shadow of former Governor Lucey's fairly lengthy one. Lucey had been a popular but sometimes controversial governor with a liberal approach to administering state government.
Schreiber faced a divisive primary
challenge by developer
David Carley. In the general election
, political newcomer Lee S. Dreyfus
, a populist Republican and skilled orator, waged an unconventional campaign and successfully attacked the Lucey-Schreiber record on taxes and big government. Schreiber lost 54% to 44%.
Schreiber ran for the governor's office again in 1982, campaigning against Anthony S. Earl, former head of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
. He did not get past the Democratic primary election. He ran again for office in 1988,seeking the mayoralty of Milwaukee, but was defeated by John Norquist
.
In 1988, after leaving state government, Schreiber formed his own public affairs consulting firm, becoming a successful lobbyist. In this position, he has built strong relationships with Wisconsin's U.S. senators and congressmen, state legislators, governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general and key Milwaukee-area elected officials. He has successfully grown the firm to become one of the top bi-partisan lobbying and public relations firms in the state.
Schreiber also serves on the Milwaukee Public Library
Board of Trustees. His wife, Elaine, is a former Milwaukee public-school teacher.
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
, Schreiber served in the Wisconsin State Senate
Wisconsin State Senate
The Wisconsin Senate, the powers of which are modeled after those of the U.S. Senate, is the upper house of the Wisconsin State Legislature, smaller than the Wisconsin State Assembly...
from 1963 to 1971 before becoming lieutenant governor of Wisconsin
Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin
The Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin is the first person in the order of succession of Wisconsin's executive branch, thus serving as governor in the event of the death, resignation, removal, impeachment, absence from the state, or incapacity due to illness of the Governor of Wisconsin...
and (following the resignation of Governor Patrick Joseph Lucey
Patrick Joseph Lucey
Patrick Joseph Lucey is a member of the United States Democratic Party who served as the 38th Governor of the US state of Wisconsin from 1971 to 1977. In 1977, he was appointed ambassador to Mexico by President Jimmy Carter, a post he held until 1979...
) Governor of Wisconsin. Schreiber, served as the state's 39th governor from 1977 to 1979.
Schreiber lost a bid for election as governor in 1978 and lost his bid for the Democratic nomination in the 1982 primary
Primary election
A primary election is an election in which party members or voters select candidates for a subsequent election. Primary elections are one means by which a political party nominates candidates for the next general election....
. Schreiber formed a successful lobbying
Lobbying
Lobbying is the act of attempting to influence decisions made by officials in the government, most often legislators or members of regulatory agencies. Lobbying is done by various people or groups, from private-sector individuals or corporations, fellow legislators or government officials, or...
firm in 1988.
Early life and education
Schreiber was born in Milwaukee, WisconsinMilwaukee, 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...
. His father Martin E. Schreiber
Martin E. Schreiber
Martin E. Schreiber was a carpenter, real estate agent and Republican politician from Milwaukee who served one term as a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly and 32 years as an alderman of the City of Milwaukee . He was the father of Martin J...
was a Republican member of the Wisconsin State Assembly
Wisconsin State Assembly
The Wisconsin State Assembly is the lower house of the Wisconsin Legislature. Together with the smaller Wisconsin Senate, the two constitute the legislative branch of the U.S. state of Wisconsin....
(1941-1944), and later a member of the Milwaukee Common Council (1944 to 1976). The younger Schreiber attended the youth government and leadership program Badger Boys State
Badger Boys State
Badger Boys State is a week-long youth program held each June to teach Wisconsin high-school students leadership and the workings of government. Forty-nine states have a similar yet distinctive program for boys and a separate program for girls...
in 1956 as a representative chosen from his high school. He attended the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee (1956–60) where he was a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon
Tau Kappa Epsilon
Tau Kappa Epsilon is a college fraternity founded on January 10, 1899 at Illinois Wesleyan University with chapters in the United States, and Canada, and affiliation with a German fraternity system known as the Corps of the Weinheimer Senioren Convent...
fraternity; and law school at Marquette University
Marquette University
Marquette University is a private, coeducational, Jesuit, Roman Catholic university located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Founded by the Society of Jesus in 1881, the school is one of 28 member institutions of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities...
.
Political career
A DemocratDemocratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
, Schreiber served in the Wisconsin State Senate
Wisconsin State Senate
The Wisconsin Senate, the powers of which are modeled after those of the U.S. Senate, is the upper house of the Wisconsin State Legislature, smaller than the Wisconsin State Assembly...
from 1963 to 1971. During his political career, Schreiber focused on education, children’s issues, consumer protection, and the rights of workers and the elderly. He established a special nursing home residents’ ombudsman program, among the first of its kind in the nation.
In 1970, he was elected lieutenant governor
Lieutenant governor
A lieutenant governor or lieutenant-governor is a high officer of state, whose precise role and rank vary by jurisdiction, but is often the deputy or lieutenant to or ranking under a governor — a "second-in-command"...
on the Lucey-Schreiber ticket. In July 1977, following the resignation of Lucey to become the United States ambassador to Mexico
United States Ambassador to Mexico
The United States has maintained diplomatic relations with Mexico since 1823, when Andrew Jackson was appointed Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to that country. Jackson declined the appointment, however, and Joel R. Poinsett became the first U.S. envoy to Mexico in 1825. The rank...
, Schreiber succeeded him as Governor for the remainder of their four-year term. In 1978, Schreiber had the political misfortune of running for office during a period of double-digit interest rates, high inflation, and increasing unemployment. Inflation also caused local governments to raise property taxes and forced state residents into higher income-tax brackets. He campaigned on his own limited track record in the shadow of former Governor Lucey's fairly lengthy one. Lucey had been a popular but sometimes controversial governor with a liberal approach to administering state government.
Schreiber faced a divisive primary
Primary election
A primary election is an election in which party members or voters select candidates for a subsequent election. Primary elections are one means by which a political party nominates candidates for the next general election....
challenge by developer
Real estate development
Real estate development, or Property Development, is a multifaceted business, encompassing activities that range from the renovation and re-lease of existing buildings to the purchase of raw land and the sale of improved land or parcels to others...
David Carley. In the general election
General election
In a parliamentary political system, a general election is an election in which all or most members of a given political body are chosen. The term is usually used to refer to elections held for a nation's primary legislative body, as distinguished from by-elections and local elections.The term...
, political newcomer Lee S. Dreyfus
Lee S. Dreyfus
Lee Sherman Dreyfus was an American politician and member of the Republican Party who served as the 40th Governor of Wisconsin from January 4, 1979 to January 3, 1983....
, a populist Republican and skilled orator, waged an unconventional campaign and successfully attacked the Lucey-Schreiber record on taxes and big government. Schreiber lost 54% to 44%.
Schreiber ran for the governor's office again in 1982, campaigning against Anthony S. Earl, former head of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is an agency of the state of Wisconsin. Its purpose is to preserve, protect, manage and maintain the natural resources of the state. The WDNR has the authority to set policy for itself and to recommend regulations for approval by the State Legislature...
. He did not get past the Democratic primary election. He ran again for office in 1988,seeking the mayoralty of Milwaukee, but was defeated by 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:...
.
In 1988, after leaving state government, Schreiber formed his own public affairs consulting firm, becoming a successful lobbyist. In this position, he has built strong relationships with Wisconsin's U.S. senators and congressmen, state legislators, governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general and key Milwaukee-area elected officials. He has successfully grown the firm to become one of the top bi-partisan lobbying and public relations firms in the state.
Schreiber also serves on the Milwaukee Public Library
Milwaukee Public Library
Milwaukee Public Library is the public library system in Milwaukee, Wisconsin consisting of a central library and 12 branches, all part of the Milwaukee County Federated Library System...
Board of Trustees. His wife, Elaine, is a former Milwaukee public-school teacher.
External links
- Governor Martin Schreiber, Wisconsin State Historical Society
- Martin Schreiber & Associates, Inc. Public Affairs Consulting