Edgar J. Herschler

October 27, 1918 (age 71)

Kemmerer, Lincoln County, United States of America

Herschler built a personal appeal to voters based on charisma, a small-town background, and shrewd political maneuvering to such an extent that he was the only three-term governor in Wyoming history. Herschler served in the United States Marine Corps during World World War World War II He received his law degree from the University of Wyoming at Laramie in 1949. He served in the Wyoming House of Representatives from 1959—1969. He was city attorney for Kemmerer as well as the prosecutor of his native Lincoln County in the Democratic southwestern corner of Wyoming. Herschler polled 71,741 (559 percent) to Jones" 56,645 (441 percent). Jones had the backing of outgoing Governor Stanley K. Hathaway. Herschler is best known for his call for "growth on our terms" during the 1970s energy boom which nearly doubled the Wyoming population in a decade. Coal mining began in earnest in the Powder River Basin during Herschler"s first term, and severance tax revenue from this development provided funding for construction of modern highways, schools and other public infrastructure. Herschler"s three-term feat will not be replicated unless the state"s 1992 term limits statute for statewide elected officials are overturned. Herschler received 69,972 (509 percent) to Ostlund"s 67,595 (491 percent). In 1982, Herschler handily defeated a third Republican, Casper independent oilman Warren A. Morton (1924–2002), a former Speaker of the Wyoming House of Representatives, in another largely Democratic year nationally. The vote was 63-37 percent. Herschler chaired the Western Governors Conference during part of his tenure. Republicans maintained control of both houses of the legislature during Herschler"s administration except for the two-year period from 1975 to 1977, when the Wyoming State Senate was tied. The House Speaker at the start of Herschler"s tenure was the conservative businessman and farmer-rancher Harold Hellbaum of Chugwater near Wheatland in Platte County, who served from 1975 to 1977. After he left the governorship, Herschler practiced law in Cheyenne.

Edgar J. Herschler

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governor lawyer politician

Background

Herschler, Edgar J. was born on October 27, 1918 in Kemmerer, Wyoming, United States. Son of Edgar F. and Charlotte (Jenkins) Herschler.

Education

University of Colorado. University of Wyoming (Juris Doctor, 1949). Town Attorney, 1950-1975.

Lincoln County Prosecuting Attorney, 1951-1959.

Member, Wyoming State House of Representatives, 1961-1970. Governor of Wyoming, 1975-1987.

Career

Herschler built a personal appeal to voters based on charisma, a small-town background, and shrewd political maneuvering to such an extent that he was the only three-term governor in Wyoming history. Herschler served in the United States Marine Corps during World World War World War II He received his law degree from the University of Wyoming at Laramie in 1949. He served in the Wyoming House of Representatives from 1959—1969.

He was city attorney for Kemmerer as well as the prosecutor of his native Lincoln County in the Democratic southwestern corner of Wyoming.

Herschler polled 71,741 (559 percent) to Jones" 56,645 (441 percent). Jones had the backing of outgoing Governor Stanley K. Hathaway.

Herschler is best known for his call for "growth on our terms" during the 1970s energy boom which nearly doubled the Wyoming population in a decade. Coal mining began in earnest in the Powder River Basin during Herschler"s first term, and severance tax revenue from this development provided funding for construction of modern highways, schools and other public infrastructure.

Herschler"s three-term feat will not be replicated unless the state"s 1992 term limits statute for statewide elected officials are overturned.

Herschler received 69,972 (509 percent) to Ostlund"s 67,595 (491 percent). In 1982, Herschler handily defeated a third Republican, Casper independent oilman Warren A. Morton (1924–2002), a former Speaker of the Wyoming House of Representatives, in another largely Democratic year nationally. The vote was 63-37 percent.

Herschler chaired the Western Governors Conference during part of his tenure.

Republicans maintained control of both houses of the legislature during Herschler"s administration except for the two-year period from 1975 to 1977, when the Wyoming State Senate was tied. The House Speaker at the start of Herschler"s tenure was the conservative businessman and farmer-rancher Harold Hellbaum of Chugwater near Wheatland in Platte County, who served from 1975 to 1977.

After he left the governorship, Herschler practiced law in Cheyenne.

Achievements

EDGAR HERSCHLER has been listed as a reputable lawyer by Martindale-Hubbell.

Membership

Served with United States Marine Corps Reserve. Member American Bar Association, Wyoming State Bar Association (president 1968-1969), American Judicature Society, American Legion.

Connections

Married Kathleen Sue Colter, 1944. Children: Kathleen Sue (Mistress Jerry Hunt), James C.

Father:: Edgar F. Herschler
Mother:: Charlotte (Jenkins) Herschler
Spouse:: Kathleen Sue Colter
child:: Kathleen Sue Herschler (Mistress Jerry Hunt)
child:: James C. Herschler

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