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David R. Hopkins

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
David R. Hopkins
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly
from the 67th district
In office
January 1, 1979 – January 3, 1983
Preceded bySteven C. Brist
Succeeded byPeggy Rosenzweig
Personal details
Born(1938-05-24)May 24, 1938
Belmont, Massachusetts, U.S.
DiedDecember 16, 2017(2017-12-16) (aged 79)
St. Augustine, Florida
Political partyRepublican
Spouse
Gloria Ann Burris
(m. 1962⁠–⁠2017)
Children3
Alma materUniversity of Massachusetts (B.S.)

David R. Hopkins (May 24, 1938 – December 16, 2017) was an American engineer, businessman, and Republican politician. He served two years in the Wisconsin State Assembly, representing Chippewa County.

Biography

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Born in Belmont, Massachusetts, Hopkins graduated from Belmont High School and went on to the University of Massachusetts, where he earned his bachelor's degree in chemical engineering.[1] His work as an engineer brought him to Wisconsin, where he was employed first at Johnson Plastics Machinery, and then co-founded Extrusion Dies, Inc.[2]

He became involved with the Republican Party of Wisconsin and was an officer in The Conservative Caucus.[1] In 1978, he ran what was considered to be a longshot campaign for Wisconsin State Assembly, challenging incumbent Democrat Steven C. Brist.[3] He won a narrow 317 vote victory in the general election, taking 51% of the vote.[4] He went on to win reelection in 1980, but was defeated in a rematch with Brist in 1982, after the implementation of a court-ordered redistricting plan.[5][6]

Shortly after the 1982 election, he relocated to Florida with his family and founded Complex, Inc., in St. Augustine, Florida. He remained there for the rest of his life.[7]

Personal life and family

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Hopkins married Gloria Ann Burris in 1962. They had three children together.[1][7]

David R. Hopkins died in St. Augustine in December 2017.[7]

Electoral history

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Wisconsin Assembly, 67th district (1978, 1980)

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Wisconsin Assembly, 67th District Election, 1978[4]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
General Election, November 7, 1978
Republican David R. Hopkins 6,335 51.28% +21.29%
Democratic Steven C. Brist (incumbent) 6,018 48.72%
Plurality 317 2.57% -37.44%
Total votes 12,353 100.0% -29.91%
Republican gain from Democratic Swing 42.57%
Wisconsin Assembly, 67th District Election, 1980[8]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
General Election, November 4, 1980
Republican David R. Hopkins (incumbent) 11,716 59.44% +8.16%
Democratic Howard L. Olson 7,995 40.56%
Plurality 3,721 18.88% +16.31%
Total votes 19,711 100.0% +59.56%
Republican hold

Wisconsin Assembly, 55th district (1982)

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Wisconsin Assembly, 55th District Election, 1982[6]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
General Election, November 2, 1982
Democratic Steven C. Brist 7,365 51.96%
Republican David R. Hopkins 6,809 48.04%
Plurality 556 3.92%
Total votes 14,174 100.0% -6.51%
Democratic gain from Republican

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Hopkins, David R. 1938". Wisconsin Historical Society. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
  2. ^ "Eagle Point man to make run for Assembly". Chippewa Herald-Telegram. June 1, 1978. p. 1. Retrieved March 4, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ "Hopkins beats Brist in 67th district". Eau Claire Leader-Telegram. November 8, 1978. p. 2. Retrieved March 4, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ a b Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau (1979). "Elections" (PDF). In Theobald, H. Rupert; Robbins, Patricia V. (eds.). The state of Wisconsin 1979-1980 Blue Book (Report). State of Wisconsin. pp. 907, 925. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
  5. ^ Wisconsin State AFL-CIO v. Elections Board, 543 F. Supp. 630 (E.D. Wis. June 9, 1982).
  6. ^ a b Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau (1983). "Elections" (PDF). In Theobald, H. Rupert; Robbins, Patricia V. (eds.). The state of Wisconsin 1983-1984 Blue Book (Report). State of Wisconsin. pp. 890, 911. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
  7. ^ a b c "David R. Hopkins". The St. Augustine Record. December 22, 2017. Retrieved March 4, 2021 – via Legacy.com.
  8. ^ Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau (1981). "Elections" (PDF). In Theobald, H. Rupert; Robbins, Patricia V. (eds.). The state of Wisconsin 1981-1982 Blue Book (Report). State of Wisconsin. pp. 895, 916. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
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Wisconsin State Assembly
Preceded by Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the 67th district
January 1, 1979 – January 3, 1983
Succeeded by