Anthony Scully Earl was an American lawyer and Democratic politician best known for serving as 41st governor of Wisconsin from 1983 until 1987. He later became a leading advocate of campaign of election finance reforms, gay rights and a champion of environmental causes. Earl graduated from Michigan State University in 1958 and earned a J.D. from the University of Chicago, he also served in the Navy as a legal officer for two years. In 1965 he moved to Wisconsin where he became district attorney... moreAnthony Scully Earl was an American lawyer and Democratic politician best known for serving as 41st governor of Wisconsin from 1983 until 1987. He later became a leading advocate of campaign of election finance reforms, gay rights and a champion of environmental causes. Earl graduated from Michigan State University in 1958 and earned a J.D. from the University of Chicago, he also served in the Navy as a legal officer for two years. In 1965 he moved to Wisconsin where he became district attorney of Marathon County, Wisconsin for one year and city attorney of Wausau, Wisconsin from 1966 to 1969. Subsequently he was elected the Wisconsin State Assembly to replace David Obey. In 1982 Earl ran for governor and won in a landslide victory against the Republican candidate, Terry Jodok Kohler. Earl was ousted after serving one term due to his unpopular policies like making the 5% sales tax permanent and also added a 10% surtax on state income tax. After his term ended he was was elected to the Common Cause National Governing Board and served until 1996. He promoted campaigns on finance reform, ethics and lobby reform, open meetings laws, voting rights, non-partisan redistricting amongst other issues. Earl was awarded the Outreach Award for his acknowledgment of the needs of the gay and lesbian community during his term in office.
