News: Clark Co. - Harnisch won't seek third term (1982)

Contact: Kathleen E. Englebretson
Email: kathy@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Harnisch, Elmhorst

---Source: Marshfield News-Herald (30 January 1982)

BLACK RIVER FALLS - Sen. Thomas Harnisch, D-Neillsville, who has been the target of a recall campaign, said Friday night he will not run for a third term in the state Senate.

A leader of the recall effort meanwhile, said a meeting will be held today to determine whether the Committee to Recall Sen. Harnisch will continue its second recall petition effort.

Harnisch made his announcement during a party, sponsored by The Friends of Tom Harnisch, in honor of his fifth wedding anniversary. The party had originally been scheduled as a fundraiser.

The decision not seek a third term was made during the 1978 re-election campaign, according to Harnisch. He said it was a joint decision with his wife, Pam.

"I will not seek another term in the state Senate." he said.

"While many of my personal friends have asked me to reconsider my position and other have requested I run for Lieutenant governor or Congress, Pam and I agree that our family must come first," he added.

"Pam, Erin and Heather need a full-time Father and husband," Harnisch said. "They need somebody to carry wood, feed the sheep and read story books. It's time daddy comes home."

Harnisch thanked his followers for their support, predicted Democrats will win the governorship in 1982 and criticized the recall group.

"Many of the people here tonight vividly witnessed first-hand the actions of a fringe group. They saw first-hand the greatest political smear campaign in Wisconsin Legislative history.

"They witnessed the ugly attack on my family and myself by this right wing fringe group. They witnessed the cruel hoax fostered upon our fellow citizens." he said.

The senator said plans could involve teaching and a return to his law practice, and that decision would be made by April 1.

Harnisch said he would continue to contest the recall effort. leaving open the possibility of legal action.

He also spoke to reporters about the coverage given during the recall campaigns.

"You have been fair, but you have not ferreted out the truth," he said.

No support was given for a successor by Harmisch, who said that person could become the target of his opponents if his support was announced.

William Elmhorst, Neillsville, co-chairmnan of the Committee to Recall Sen. Harnisch, said his committee will determine today whether to continue the second recall petition campaign.

The first campaign, started in August, fell short when the State Elections Board did not validate 11,862 of the nearly 13,000 signatures submitted by the committee for Harnisch's recall.

Most of them want to go on with the recall," Elmhorst said.

Although Harnisch has said the recall is a personal issue, Elmhorst said the recall committee may continue because its real target - soil and water conservation legislation -- is still alive.

"We set out to kill the land control bills," Elmhorst said. "We haven't done that yet, even though Sen. Harnisch has indicated that he won't seek another term. They're still going ahead with the land control bills.

Elmhorst said he "would like to stop the recall today."

But that may not be possible, he added, "not while those bills are still alive."

Elmhorst contended earlier this month that the recall supporters would go ahead with its campaign, whether or not Harnisch ran for re-election. Harnisch should not be able to complete his term in office, Elmhorst added.

Harnisch's term ends in December.