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Meet the next US Senator from Wisconsin
Bill Lorge
Otherwise known as:
William "Elvis" Lorge
Find out Why?
Check out tons of GREAT Photos of Bill Lorge throughout his life:
Yes, Elvis in the US Senate, finally
This is a two part web page:
Part 1
Elvis Presley almost ran for Elective Office
Part 2
The Bill Lorge story
Elvis almost ran for Public Office
Elvis was at the height of his fame when the Kennedy clan was in the White House, and a few times he talked about seeing if his popularity could win him the Presidency, but those thoughts did not last long as Elvis really was not politically involved enough to take the next step. The Kennedy assassination bothered Elvis a great deal and most likely kept him out of Politics. He once teased US Senator Howard Baker that he would run against him for the US Senate in his home State of Tennessee. He always told Sheriffs that if they don't give him their badge, he'd run against them. Elvis has the largest Sheriff badge collection in the world. He only joked about it though, until finally he decided to go to the White House and visit President Nixon in the 1970's. The famous picture of Nixon and Elvis is the most requested photo visitors buy when in Washington, DC. Graceland is the second most visited home in America second only to the White House. Also, the famous Elvis Stamp, and this brings us to our second story, is still the most successful event ever in the Federal Government's History. Elvis even improves the bureaucratic mess in Washington, DC! It appears that Elvis got as close as anyone, without ever running, to being President or a US Senator, or even Sheriff. Since the real Elvis did not take on Tennessee's Senator Baker and sit in the US Senate, maybe the new Elvis will. The next story is about Bill Lorge, a lifelong Elvis fan and impersonator who helped get the Elvis Stamp as a State Legislator from Wisconsin, and who is running for the US Senate in Wisconsin right now.
The Bill Lorge Story
Elvis in the US Senate in 2000
Bill Lorge comes to us with 40 years of Elvis Presley's positive influence in his life.
Bill Lorge has sang Elvis songs on a stage with girls screaming since he was a very little boy. The last time he did it was July 21, 2000 in Superior, Wisconsin - the screaming girl was a mature woman from Minong, Wisconsin and a few times in other places including about 6 months ago at a family wedding Bill again performed "American Trilogy". We are trying to get the pictures of the wedding, but we do have video from Superior, you may see it on your TV soon! Even though the screaming girls, when Lorge was a lot younger, consisted mostly of his cousins, Aunts and nieces encouraging him on, he did not think it would last this long, nor that he would be this good at it! Lorge kind of knows what it is like to be Elvis, if only for a short time and on a smaller stage. Then once off that stage, Bill Lorge, now age 40, had quite an amazing life for himself when he wasn't Elvis. It is so much of a story we can't go into all of it right now, so this story will only partly focus on that part of the Elvis part of Bill's life, and will not get into all the other aspects of Bill's life which are partly covered in other connecting web pages here at Lorge2000.
It may have all started back when Bill was a very young boy. His mother and his Aunt Aggie had Elvis records that Bill, as young as 1 year old, would sing to and impersonate Elvis on the Radio and TV . "He started doing Elvis as soon as he could talk, sing and stand. It's in his blood. He was good enough at it that we always applauded and encouraged him," said Bill's mother. By the time Bill was in grade school, it was a common occurance on the playground and at family functions for Bill to build a stage out of tables and put on an Elvis Presley show where Bill's young cousins or classmates would jump for the scarves and scream at Bill, Elvis, to add to the effect. Eventually Bill was destined to make money as an Elvis Impersonator and in the mid 1980's he got his wish. He made as much as $500 a night as an Elvis impersonator. Bill thought he'd finally given it all up for good when he entered his next challenge full speed in 1988. Bill was one of the youngest people elected to the Wisconsin State Legislature at age 28 in 1988. Elvis was put on the back shelf, for awhile!
Bill put 100% of his effort into serving the people in his Legislative District and ended up serving there for ten years getting some of the biggest votes in the State, even holding the state record for write-in votes (No, not "Elvis" Presley write-ins, but actual "Bill Lorge as a State Legislator" write-in votes. In 1998 over 6,000 people wrote Bill Lorge's name in on their ballots to keep him in his old assembly seat). Ironically, his Elvis history would be one of the main reasons Bill left the Legislature, after ten years of never missing a vote (100% perfect record), always voting his District, personally serving thousands of people, and starting a young family - more on all this later.
Anyway, Bill was doing great, took on his Legislative responsibilities very well, even won awards as "Legislator of the Year", while trying to keep the Elvis part of his life tucked away. However, It wasn't until May 7, 1991 when the William "Elvis" Lorge story really started in a very public manner. This was when Rep. Bill Lorge (R-Bear Creek) wrote a letter to the US Postmaster at the request of a Constituent asking that Elvis Presley be put on a US Postage stamp.
Rep. Bill Lorge knew what he was about to start, maybe, wasn't sure, but thought any State Legislator asking for an Elvis stamp would get at least a few articles in the paper. But Rep. Bill Lorge did not know this then, but prior to 1991, before Lorge's letter was made public, because of the way Lorge styled his hair, the State Capitol Press Corps affectionately nicknamed the new freshman State Rep. Lorge as "Young Elvis" kinda behind his back, not even knowing the Elvis connection Bill had already attained prior to being a Legislator. It was a well kept secret, only the press called him that secretly, no one else knew, not even Lorge, even articles about Bill Lorge never mentioned Elvis, until after the May 7, 1991letter where Rep. Lorge asked the US Postmaster General to have an Elvis Stamp.
Lorge recalls the night of May 7th, 1991 when he was riding in a state vehicle on the way to a Committee Hearing with two other State Legislators riding along. Bill was going through his work and upon finding the copy of the letter he sent that day to the US Postmaster General, Lorge mentioned to his Legislative Colleagues that he wrote this letter to the Postmaster about finally getting an Elvis stamp. One of the Legislators said he thought it was a good idea, while the other Legislator said no way. Lorge told them based on their split vote that he predicts this may end up being a controversial letter, it may even start something big, maybe a National movement. Lorge never mentioned to them his former Elvis life, nor did any of them know Lorge was secretly called "Young Elvis" by the media. Little did they all know that the next day it would be all over the papers and when Bill Lorge woke up that next morning it was on all the morning TV news shows. The birth of an unbelievably new and awesome National movement had begun and Rep. Bill Lorge found himself hand picked by the media to lead it, and lead it he did. The media reported: "An Elvis Presley look-a-like in the Wisconsin State Legislature is urging an Elvis Presley postage stamp" ... "Young Elvis" wants Elvis stamp "... "Like Elvis, Lorge makes sparks fly" - (This one was about Bill's blow dryer exploding and sending him to the emergency room for electrocution treatment, right in the middle of the entire Elvis stamp frenzy which itself added fuel to the now growing publicity flame.) ... etc., ... etc., ... the rest is history.
Several months later Lorge was called by the "CBS This Morning" Producer congratulating Rep. Lorge on getting the Elvis stamp, which later became the most popular stamp in US Postal history. Of course Bill became a National spokesman for the Elvis stamp and was even filmed by many TV crews voting for the Young Elvis Stamp over the old stamp - remember that election? Remember the Young Elvis won big! As you might expect, this increased local notoriety for Bill was met by his constituents in two very harsh and different ways. Bill's supporters first loved it and encouraged it and enjoyed it for many years and many elections until later on in the end when it really got to be a problem, many of Bill's supporters became concerned and many advised Bill to drop the Elvis thing or face political defeat. Bill would not change. He toned it down a bit, but continued to sign autographs with the Elvis name in it, if requested, continued to comb his hair like Elvis, and even though Bill was not seen anywhere performing Elvis songs, he did have lots of fun with the Elvis thing while finishing his State Legislative career. But the big mistake most people will tell you was when Bill Lorge began a Campaign to run for Governor of Wisconsin in 1998. Lorge, taking a Reporter's friendly Arm Chair advice, announced he may put the name of William "Elvis" Lorge on the ballot for Governor, because all the media stories on Lorge called him Elvis anyway, so why not use it to his advantage? Lorge contacted State Election Board Officials who told him he could have William "Elvis" Lorge on the ballot as long as he could prove it was his nickname. That was easy, since tons of newspaper articles confirmed Lorge's Elvis nickname, so the Elections Board announced that it was legitimate. This scared the heck out of the incumbent Governor who is on a mission to set the state record for serving the most years as Governor, and Bill Lorge just jumped in his way. Unfortunately Lorge was convinced by people who badly wanted him out of the race that this Elvis on the ballot thing was the final straw, and Lorge no longer has the respect to run the race. Based on these new editorials, and the fact that Bill and his wife were expecting their second child and responsible thinking said to stay in the Legislature. Unfortunately, Bill pulled out of the race for Governor, only to regret it for the rest of his life. Who knows - 1998 was the same year Jesse Ventura was elected, maybe Elvis Lorge could have won the Governor's Office. One voter wrote in a Madison Newspaper's Letter to the Editor that it would be unique to elect Lorge as Governor, then they could rename the Governor's Mansion to be called "GraceLand"! It was fun, and this US Senate race's references to Elvis should all be done in a fun, positive manner. The moral to this story is: Always do what YOU know is right, never listen to those who are negative. And if your goal is to help people, by all means - DO IT!
This is why Bill Lorge is now in this race to win. There is no looking back. Bill does not intend to put the nickname on the ballot, nor will he use Elvis in his US Senate Campaign other than to set the story straight in this one official Lorge 2000 web page right here, the one you are reading right now - yeah this one. Other than that, Bill has dropped the Elvis thing, and will only sing Elvis songs to his Kids, unless you beg him. However, rumor has it that just this year Bill Lorge was seen singing Elvis songs at a Green Bay sports bar, and it is confirmed that Lorge sang an Elvis song at his brother-in-Laws wedding. So who knows, if asked nicely, Bill will break down and sing one heck of an awesome Elvis song. Request American Trilogy, that's his best one, or "MY WAY" the wedding favorite. Bill has sang My Way at over ten weddings now, and sadly has had to turn down about 5 wedding requests a year for him to show up and sing.
So there you have it. The complete, well, partially kinda complete, Bill Lorge "Elvis Story". There's a lot more. The man is about to be elected to the US Senate. It is only right that the people know the truth about Bill Lorge and this Elvis thing. Articles even written just recently about Bill Lorge mention his Elvis past. It is inescapable for Bill. I guess if you like Elvis, this will all be OK, but most of Bill's political opponents have used distorted Elvis facts for anti-Bill Lorge negative advertising after the May 7, 1991 letter went out.
The first Elvis attacks on Bill occurred right away in the 1992 Elections, and every election since then they used "the Elvis thing" to try to defeat Bill Lorge. In 1998 the nastiest campaign, spending the most money, was launched against Bill with the most powerful political forces out to teach Lorge a lesson. The ads were terrible, even suppression phone calls were used to keep Bill's supporters from voting for him. Some Lorge supporters received as many as 10 phone calls harassing them paid for by Lorge's Opposition. Some of the attacks are disturbing, and all of it is false, so we won't dignify any more of this bad history with responses here. We only bring it up to show that Bill has tough skin, has survived the toughest campaigns and will win in 2000. You need to be battle tested and tough to be an effective US Senator.
Bill says he has no regrets, he has many close friends who also admire Elvis and this bond is very deep. "I am honored to be connected in any small way to the King of Rock and Roll, my favorite Entertainer, Elvis Presley. Take all the bad images people have of Elvis, I stay away from that, most of it is not true or distorted, and every person has weaknesses. But take the good in Elvis. That is the Elvis I model. His Charity, his deep caring for all people, his talents, his love of making people happy, his Religious convictions, his love for his mother and his family. That is the Elvis I will always remember and tell others about," said Lorge.
One last thing. When Bill talks about his first visit to Graceland about ten years ago, before the stamp, during the tour, in a nice way, Bill kept correcting the tour guide, maybe even too much, because he knew much more about Elvis than the paid tour guides did. It was a special treat visiting Elvis' home when Bill and his now wife Molly met Elvis' Aunt, said a prayer at Elvis' grave and were allowed to walk around the grounds. Now, on with the Campaign, let's finally put Elvis in the Senate.
Check out tons of GREAT Photos of Bill Lorge throughout his life:
More on William "ELVIS" Lorge
Bill Lorge was not only the graduating Class President at the UW Madison when he earned his Communication Arts degree in 1983, but Bill was also Senior Class President of his High School and even Class President of his grade school graduating Class in 1974 at St. Mary's Grade School in Bear Creek. (Lorge always received at least a 90% vote from his hometown in Bear Creek, that tells you something.) Bill Lorge also worked in Washington, DC as a Congressional Aide while he was in his mid twenties, and of course he spent ten years of his life as a State Legislator from 1988 - 1999. Rep. Lorge is known for personally handling intense and high level activities from a local grassroots level all the way up to National Issues. Bill has earned a public reputation as a Crusader with savvy, and he has expressed a sincere desire to help people with their Missions. Bill is publicly recognized and credited for the way he successfully worked with everyone to promote his issues locally as well as Nationally, and yet the worst thing his critics can say about him is that he was an Elvis Presley impersonator - Bill will always consider this a compliment.
With Bill's 20 plus years of hands on experience working for the People, we know that Wisconsin will be well represented by the hard working Bill Lorge in the US Senate, and with unique flare! One of Bill's most commendable qualities is his real life hands on experiences, where Bill always opened every letter himself, returned every phone call himself, and attended all his own Office Hours himself. Bill has recently enjoyed a very private two years away from Politics. Now Bill looks forward to once again returning to the Political scene with enough muscle to really stamp out the evil forces that corrupt our Governments. "Elvis is back" they are saying, and he is taking a front seat active role in putting the most important Cause on the front burner: To clean up Congress.
Once Rep. Bill Lorge was challenged by a Legislative Colleague during Session and Floor Debate that: Because Lorge is being compared to Elvis, who most people consider an appealing role model, that Lorge was milking it for all the political attention he could get because Elvis was good looking. While Bill tried to convince this other Legislator that he was more into Elvis before he entered Politics and tried to contain it once elected, his colleague was not budging and finally challenged Lorge to admit that if he was compared to say, Jerry Lewis, Lorge would be mad. Lorge immediately jumped up, went to the floor of the State Assembly, and during live debate took the microphone and very accurately imitated Jerry Lewis' very famous, "L A D Y" line, and he also sang a Jerry Lewis song Lorge learned as a Youth, "Never smile at a crocodile" as well. This all happened the day after Lorge saw Jerry Lewis perform in Madison two blocks from the Capitol, so Lorge justified it all my requesting that the State Assembly adjourn in honor of Jerry Lewis who recently was in Madison for his humanitarian work as well as his gifted talents that made so many people happy. Lorge is a master at staging events, and he got out of that one OK. However, since floor debates are taped, this started a news media frenzy that lasted only a day, so Lorge was not able to shake the Elvis image for a new Jerry Lewis one, but he did convince his colleague that there was much more to the Bill Lorge story than anyone would ever know, and the Elvis Stamp is only a small part of it. You see, even in 1987 in New York City, Bill Lorge won several National Talent Awards impersonating people from Ronald Reagan to Jean Stapleton, Robert Plant, Richard Burton, Richard Nixon, and yes Elvis. Lorge lists his former occupations as: Farmer, Entertainer, Real Estate Broker, Legislator, Congressional Aide, among others. He is proud of his God given talents, and will rely on the advice his father always gives him: "Your friends will always support you, and your enemies will always oppose you, so always do what you know is right, be yourself, and don't worry about what other people will think."
But those who are quick to criticize Bill Lorge for his Elvis style must remember that Lorge has always used his many talents for good causes. Even though being a State Legislator is a part time job, because the responsibilities he found so great and the need for his services were infinite, Bill worked at it full time, as he was 100% dedicated to that mission, as we know he will be 100% dedicated to our new mission for him to serve us in the US Senate. Bill says he will dedicate the rest of his life to helping people, and plans on making this job his most important life-long career move. With this young man turning 40 on August 31 this year, and all his talents dedicated to the US Senate seat. We believe Bill Lorge will be much like Wisconsin's very own "Fighting Bob" Lafollette was, but that is another story. Now we have Bill Lorge as the newest member of our team to fight for what is right, and he is fully committed to being an outstanding US Senator from Wisconsin.
Other Elvis Web Page Links:
Check out tons of GREAT Photos of Bill Lorge throughout his life:
Bill and his wife Molly have a three year old daughter Elizabeth and a one year old son John with a new baby due in November this year! Bill and Molly live in Bear Creek, Wisconsin and in Madison, Wisconsin and participate in many activities. Bill has always enjoyed his family's full support, and has a wife who has always been by his side supporting and working with him on his goals. Molly used to work for Bill as his Legislative Aide, it was only fate and a matter of time before they would get married, everyone knew it. Once the marriage was official, Bill announced, "Now I'm really married to my job!" Bill's wife stayed on and they were credited as being the only Husband and wife Legislative team in State History. This is the kind of person Bill is. Knowing that it is more important for a Husband and wife to be together if possible, Bill defied the political critics who said he would lose his next election if he left his wife on his staff. Saying, we are doing nothing wrong, Lorge left her on, and he won the next two elections by landslide victories. Molly will also be an added plus to the US Senate seat, this year especially, as she and Bill are both natives from Bear Creek, and both come from honorable wholesome small Town roots and with very similar real Wisconsin backgrounds.
More examples of some of Bill's unique work include:
The Elvis Stamp - Rep. Bill Lorge, affectionately nicknamed "Young Elvis" by the State Capitol Press Corps, worked with hundreds of local grassroots Elvis Fan Clubs, music clubs, Stamp Collectors along with local and National media sources to successfully get the US Post Office to issue what became the most popular postage stamp in US History. If Bill can do this for the entire Country, imagine what he can do for us in Wisconsin! Put Bill to the test, ask him to help you with any problem and he will be able to devise a plan, make it work, and succeed for you.
Exxon Mine Moratorium - Here Bill worked tirelessly for several years to pass a bill that originally had no chance of becoming law, but it did. The bill placed a moratorium on the Crandon Mine at the headwaters of the Wolf River. Bill Lorge was commended not only for his leadership role in working to heighten awareness of this issue, but Bill also had the added burden of being the only member of his party to support the moratorium at the State Capitol until the very end when even the Governor signed the bill into Law, thanks to Bill's efforts. This grassroots organizing involved every aspect of life from government to local clubs and even door to door awareness campaigns. Bill personally organized a large Media Forum for the Public on this issue which was instrumental in gaining wide-spread support for the moratorium.
Bill was also involved in many other crusades such as protecting the view of the Wisconsin State Capitol from high rises. This effort involved citizens and local governments all organized together in a media awareness campaign by Bill Lorge. The Wisconsin Law today protecting the Skyline of Wisconsin's Capitol City was written by Bill Lorge.
Bill also worked with the people while a State Legislator and brought increased awareness on other issues such as: Dolphin safe tuna; Conservation Congress meetings; Historic Preservation of the State Capitol; Red Flag Medical Assistance; Puppy Mills; Highway Safety; Reorganizing the State Capitol Press Room; Cutting Taxes; Reducing Government spending; Day Light Savings Time; Popcorn popping machines among many others including the Packers successful SuperBowl trip.
Print Media
Bill has an amazing and extensive long history of experiences with all sorts of Media. Yes, Bill was so involved in so many things, there are thousands of newspaper articles on Bill Lorge. Bill once said in jest, "If I really want to get in the paper, I'll act like I don't want to get in, then I end up on the front page. When I don't want something printed, tough luck, they have printed everything about me, even rumors and untruths, but I am the biggest supporter of the free press - that is the heart of our democracy. It seems when I take on a very serious issue and work it big time, spending the time needed to find the best solution, and it is technical and boring, that never gets printed. So my hard work and most of my legislative and other successes are not documented as much as my goofing off or my private life. And I was just a State Legislator," said Lorge. Tom O'Connell, a New London City Alderman from Lorge's Legislative District says, "If the media attention on Bill keeps up while he is in the US Senate like it did when he was our Legislator, the media will propel Bill Lorge right into the White House some day. People like his Maverick spirit and his solid positions on the issues, not to mention his flamboyant Elvis style." If the media continues to find Bill Lorge intriguing, they will help him emerge as the front runner in this US Senate race. Libraries with newspaper clippings covering all the lifelong activities of Bill Lorge would have them stacked over ten feet high. Bill Lorge's poll numbers are very high. High poll numbers are the best thing going for a US Senate Candidate these days - it is worth it's weight in Gold. Lorge is the candidate to beat, with the highest name recognition of all the challengers.
TV
SURVIVOR - Bill was very disappointed to learn that because he is a Candidate for Public Office he is not allowed to apply to be on Survivor II in the Australian Outback. Therefore, we ask you to help Bill live out his Survivor fantasy by voting September 12th to Keep Bill on the Island for the next round, the November 7th General Election. Vote for Bill Lorge for US Senate on the Republican Ballot September 12th and he will advance to the next round, Surviving the vote off the Island.
MORE TV: Bill was also the Host and Producer of several television shows including one that was specifically created to promote the issue of the State Capitol Historic Preservation Crisis during the remodeling of the precious State Capitol. Bill succeeded in this mission as well, as he helped create the State Board that now oversees all the alterations done to Historic Buildings in Wisconsin. Bill is also a regular guest on many popular TV shows as well as News coverage. Lorge's name recognition is high without the Elvis name added. When you add the Elvis name, many people reply, "Oh yeah, the Elvis guy, that's Lorge? OK, yeah! I like the Maverick Bill Lorge guy anyway, but now that you told me he is also that cool Elvis Legislator, now I really like him. You bet, I'm voting for Lorge for US Senate."
Speeches
Radio
Bill is also a regular guest on many popular radio talk shows including Wisconsin Public Radio, Sly in the Morning, Charlie Sykes, KTLA in Los Angeles, the Ron Aaron Show in Austin Texas among many others. A Milwaukee Radio station called Bill regularly to impersonate Elvis live on the air as if Elvis were alive. Then at the end, they would always announce that was really Bill Lorge. This paragraph is a link to the March 5, 1998 WPR show where Bill Lorge is listed as the 4 PM Guest on the topic of keeping the Federal Government out of the blackmail business where Lorge led the fight to harness the overbearing Federal Government and prevent them from taking over power from the states. Bill Lorge always says, "The States created the Federal Government, not the other way around. The Federal Government must not mandate to the States. Local control is essential, as it is the best form of Representation. The Feds do not have all the answers, actually they cause most of the problems," Lorge said.
We welcome Bill Lorge to the race. We expect he will win. As our new Senator, we know he will take a hands on aggressive approach to getting our initiatives passed, and to helping all of us citizens, not just the rich and powerful and those who donate big dollars to candidates for political favors, but average citizens like you. Bill is known for giving all the power that came with his elected office back to the people, and he did it for everyone. He always used the power of his office to help average people who needed him, he never turned down one request.
If Bill wins, every Wisconsin Citizen will have their own US Senate seat, that is one good way to look at it. Bill Lorge, like Jesse Ventura, will throw the greedy out of his office, and spend that time working for the average Wisconsin citizens for the best future for the State of Wisconsin.
Contact Bill Lorge for Assistance:
Bill Lorge for US Senate
PO Box 8343
Madison, WI 53708-8343
(Contact Bill Lorge our next US Senator at 608-698-0300)
September 12th
Bill Lorge.......(X)
US Senate
Wisconsin
He doesn't look like Elvis?
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