Career
He was governor of the state of Santa Catarina from 1979 to 1982, and senator for Santa Catarina from 1983 to 1991 and from 1999 to 2007. He was also President of the Democrats party (DEM, formerly known as "Liberal Front Party"). Bornhausen received a law degree at the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro in 1960.
After college, he went to work at the Bank of Industry and Commerce (Inco), where his father was the majority shareholder.
He was president of ARENA from 1972 to 1975, president of Banco do Estado de Santa Catarina until 1978, and then was appointed to the Santa Catarina Legislative Assembly where he served until 1982. At the end of his legislative term.
Bornhausen was elected senator for the Social Democratic Party, the successor to ARENA.