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US Senator, Wisconsin

Contact Information

Russ Feingold
1600 Aspen Commons 
Middleton, Wisconsin 53562
(608) 828-1200
russ_feingold@feingold.senate.gov
http://feingold.senate.gov


Home Town: Middleton, WI
Committees: Judiciary Committee, Foreign Relations Committee, Budget Committee, Special Committee on Aging

Bio

Wisconsin traditions have always been central to Russ Feingold's life. In 1917, his family settled in Janesville, Wisconsin, where Feingold was born to parents Leon and Sylvia on March 2, 1953. Growing up in Janesville, Feingold's political views were shaped by discussions at the family dinner table and his father's early involvement in the Progressive Movement. In Janesville's public schools, at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and later practicing law in Madison and serving in the Wisconsin State Senate, Feingold has built his life in Wisconsin.

In his first try for an elective position at age 29, Feingold defeated a longtime incumbent to take the seat in the Wisconsin State Senate for the 27th District. Feingold was re-elected in 1986, and in 1990 faced no opponent for reelection to a four-year term.

When Feingold first ran for the U.S. Senate in 1992, he won a tough three-way primary with 70 percent of the vote, and went on to defeat two-term incumbent Robert Kasten. In 1998, after keeping his historic pledge to limit his campaign spending, and disallowing party soft money from being spent on his behalf, Feingold defeated Congressman Mark Neumann to win a second term.

Feingold stays in touch with Wisconsin's communities, visiting each of Wisconsin's 72 counties every year to hold his Listening Sessions. Feingold's top priorities in the U.S. Senate include working for health care coverage for every American, keeping jobs in Wisconsin, fighting for fiscal responsibility, and combating terrorism – including strong support for first responders – while still protecting our civil liberties.

Working with Republican Senator John McCain of Arizona, Feingold has led the fight to clean up our federal campaign finance system. McCain and Feingold's bill to ban unlimited soft money contributions to the political parties was signed into law in 2002.

Feingold also works to carry forward the legacy of great Wisconsin leaders like Bob La Follette and Gaylord Nelson by advocating for Wisconsin's families – safeguarding the environment, supporting Wisconsin's farmers, ensuring fair treatment for veterans, and striving for the best in public education.

Feingold has two daughters, Jessica and Ellen, and his wife, Mary Feingold, has two sons, Sam and Ted Speerschneider. The Feingolds live in Middleton, Wisconsin.