Russ Feingold

Russ Feingold – Life, Career, and Principles

Russ Feingold (born March 2, 1953) is an American politician and lawyer, best known for his 18 years as U.S. Senator from Wisconsin, staunch defense of civil liberties, and key role in campaign finance reform. Explore his biography, achievements, values, and lessons from his public life.

Introduction

Russell Dana “Russ” Feingold is a prominent American politician, lawyer, and public intellectual. Born on March 2, 1953, he served as a U.S. Senator from Wisconsin from 1993 to 2011. Known for his independent streak, principled stands, and advocacy for civil liberties, he remains influential in debates about campaign finance, privacy, and democratic reform.

Early Life and Family

Feingold was born in Janesville, Wisconsin, to a Jewish family. Leon Feingold (an attorney) and Sylvia Binstock Feingold.

In his youth, Feingold was active in Jewish youth organizations, such as B’nai B’rith Youth Organization and Aleph Zadik Aleph. These early experiences nurtured a sense of community, identity, and civic purpose.

Education & Early Career

Feingold graduated from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 1975 with a B.A. in political science (with honors). Magdalen College, Oxford, earning a degree in jurisprudence in 1977. Harvard Law School, receiving his J.D. in 1979.

After law school, Feingold worked as an attorney with private law firms (such as Foley & Lardner, La Follette & Sinykin) between 1979 and 1985.

Political Career

Wisconsin State Senate (1983–1993)

Feingold entered electoral politics by winning a seat in the Wisconsin State Senate, representing the 27th District, in 1982.

U.S. Senate (1993–2011)

In 1992, Feingold ran for the U.S. Senate and defeated incumbent Republican Bob Kasten.

During his Senate career, Feingold was often seen as an independent-minded progressive. Some of his notable stances include:

• Campaign Finance Reform: Alongside Senator John McCain, Feingold co-sponsored the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 (commonly known as the McCain–Feingold Act).

• Civil Liberties & Surveillance: He was the only senator to vote against the Patriot Act in 2001. JUSTICE Act to impose safeguards on surveillance powers.

• Foreign Policy & War Positions: Feingold opposed the 2002 resolution authorizing war in Iraq.

• Economics & Regulation: He sometimes broke with Democratic leadership; for instance, he voted against the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform when he believed it did not go far enough.

In recognition of his courage in challenging entrenched interests, Feingold (with McCain) received the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award in 1999.

Despite his record, in 2010 he was defeated by Republican Ron Johnson.

Roles After the Senate

After leaving the Senate, Feingold remained active intellectually and in public service:

• He founded Progressives United, a political action committee and nonprofit to advance reform and progressive policies.

• He has taught as a visiting lecturer and professor at law schools (e.g. Marquette, Yale) and engaged in legal scholarship.

• From 2013 to 2015, Feingold served as the U.S. Special Envoy for the African Great Lakes region and the Democratic Republic of the Congo under Secretary of State John Kerry.

• In 2020, he became president of the American Constitution Society, a prominent progressive legal organization.

Legacy & Influence

Russ Feingold’s legacy is multifaceted:

• He is often remembered as one of the most civil liberties–minded senators of his era, willing to dissent from his party and take principled stances.

• The McCain–Feingold Act, though partially weakened by Supreme Court decisions, remains a landmark in the debate over money in politics.

• His resistance to expanding surveillance and his advocacy for checks on executive powers have inspired later generations concerned about privacy and constitutional rights.

• As a “maverick,” Feingold demonstrated that long-term public service can be grounded in consistency, transparency, and moral courage.

However, critics argue that some of his idealism had political costs—that being inflexible on certain issues may have affected electoral viability.

Personality & Principles

Feingold is often described as thoughtful, principled, and willing to challenge popular tides rather than go with them. His legal background combined with his legislative work gives him both analytical depth and commitment to institutional integrity.

He believed in accountability, limits on power, transparency, and democratic reform—values that pervaded his legislative choices and public comments.

Selected Quotes

Here are a few representative quotes attributed to Russ Feingold:

• “The power to tax is the power to destroy.”

• “Government should do for people what they cannot do for themselves, not what they can already do.”

• “Only a well-informed public will enable democracy to flourish.”

These capture his views on government limits, individual responsibility, and the role of civic knowledge.

Lessons from Russ Feingold

1. Stand for principle even when unpopular
   Feingold’s votes against the Patriot Act and his push for reform cost him political capital, but marked him as consistent.

2. Reform must outlast politics
   His PAC, writings, and teaching show that impact continues beyond holding office.

3. Cross-partisan work matters
   His collaboration with McCain on campaign finance reform shows change often requires bridging divides.

4. Democracy is fragile
   His career underscores how vigilance is needed to protect civic freedoms against concentration of power.

5. Legacy is earned over time
   Even after electoral defeat, Feingold remained influential—and his consistency strengthened his credentials as a public intellectual.

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