Edgar Herschler
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Edgar Herschler (1918 - 1990), popularly known as "Gov Ed", was the governor of the U.S. state of Wyoming from 1975 to 1987. A Democrat in a strongly Republican state, Herschler built a personal appeal to voters based on charisma, a small-town background, and shrewd political maneuvering.
Herschler served as city attorney for Kemmerer in southwestern Wyoming and as a state legislator before running for governor in 1974. After winning the Democratic primary election, Herschler defeated the Republican Dick Jones in the general election amid a Democratic landslide nationally which also installed Democratic control of the Wyoming state Senate.
Herschler is best known for his continual call for "growth on our terms" during the 1970s energy boom which nearly doubled the state's 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.
Hershcler was the only Wyoming governor to serve three terms, a feat that will not be replicated unless the state's 1992 term limits statute is overturned for statewide elected officials. He narrowly won reelection in 1978 over John Ostlund of Gilette. He defeated Casper oilman Warren Morton in a landslide in 1982.
Republicans maintained control of both houses of the legislature during Herschler's administration. 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 1975-1977.
| Preceded by Stanley K. Hathaway (R) |
Governor of Wyoming 1975–1987 |
Succeeded by Michael John "Mike" Sullivan (D) |
| Governors of Wyoming |
 |
|---|---|
| Warren • Barber • Osborne • W. Richards • D. Richards • Chatterton • Brooks • J. Carey • Kendrick • Houx • R. Carey • W. Ross • Lucas • N. Ross • Emerson • Clark • Miller • Smith • Hunt • Crane • Barrett • Rogers • Simpson • Hickey • Gage • Hansen • Hathaway • Herschler • Sullivan • Geringer • Freudenthal |
