Quick Facts
Biography
William Lorge (August 31, 1960) is an American politician, farmer, and businessman.
Early life
Born in Bear Creek, Wisconsin, Lorge graduated from Clintonville High School and then received his bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He also attended the Austro-American College in Vienna, Austria. His father was Gerald Lorge who also served in the Wisconsin Legislature. Lorge married Molly McGinty on April 11, 1996 in Bear Creek.
Career
Lorge has been a real estate broker and a farmer. He served as a Congressional aide and a Wisconsin state senate legislative assistant for his father. In 1984 he ran for the 14th District State Senate seat vacated by his father, losing in the primary to Joseph Leean. He served in the Wisconsin State Assembly as a Republican from 1989 until 1999. A 1996 survey of legislators conducted by Madison Magazine rated Lorge poorly in several categories. In 1998 Lorge lost to Jean Hundertmark in the primary. That same year, Lorge submitted the highest expense report of any member of the Wisconsin State Assembly.
In 2002, Lorge entered the Republican primaries for the Wisconsin gubernatorial race. He garnered 8% of the vote, coming in second to incumbent Scott McCallum's 86%.
Personal life
Lorge worked as an Elvis Presley impersonator. He owns Badgerland MLS, a real estate company.