NAME: Tate Howard
DISTRICT: Fourth
STATE: Wisconsin
REGION: Great Lakes
PARTY: Democrat
EDUCATION:
B.A. Marquette University (1959)
CAREER:
High School Teacher 1960-1970 (washington HS, Milwaukee)
Wisconsin State House of Representatives 1970-1990
US House of Representatives 1990-
BIOGRAPHY:
Howard was born February 28th, 1938 in New London, WI to Randall and Alva Howard. In 1959 he received a B.A. in English from the University of Wisconsin, but was forced to quit his graduate studies when his father passed away the same year. Needing employment, Howard applied for and was accepted as an English teacher at Washington High School in Milwaukee where he would stay for the next ten years. As one of the most popular teachers, he was urged to run for the state house in 1968, but barely lost in the general election. Howard utilized his newfound contacts and ran again in 1970, this time claiming victory. Howard would go on to serve for the next 20 years, gaining a reputation as a liberal.
When eight-term incumbent and fellow Democrat Fraser Williams stepped down to run for Governor, Howard became the Democratic candidate to succeed him in what had become the most reliably Democratic US House district in Wisconsin, the Fourth. He won easily in November 1990.
A Lutheran, Tate is married to Katherine Howard and has two children, Tate Jr and Mary. His son ran for and won election to Howard's state house seat, ensuring the Howard family will continue to represent the people of Wisconsin well into the future. Howard refers to himself as a "liberal decentrist", preferring progressive politics, but local control instead of federal control.