Marlin Schneider

Marlin D. Schneider (born November 16, 1942) is a retired American educator and Democratic politician. He served 40 years in the Wisconsin State Assembly (1971–2011), representing Wisconsin Rapids and neighboring parts of central Wisconsin. He is also known by his nickname: "Snarlin' Marlin."

Early life and education Born in La Crosse, Wisconsin, he graduated from La Crosse Central High School in 1960. He earned his bachelor's degree in 1965 at the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse, then known as "Wisconsin State University–La Crosse." He ultimately received his master's degree in teaching from the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point in 1976, and earned another master's degree from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 1979. He also received a police academy certificate from the Madison Area Technical College in 1982. Schneider challenged incumbent Republican Harvey F. Gee. The protests against the Vietnam War on the University of Wisconsin campus were a major issue in the election. Schneider rebuked Gee for referring to the student protesters as "idiots," saying, "It may be popular to slander college students, but this kind of rhetoric doesn't help to heal the wounds of our society." He also went on the offensive against state Republicans, saying that, despite controlling all branches of government and the University Board of Regents, they had failed to deal with the campus issues in a way that restored peace, saying, "It seems ironic that while they talk about law and order, they have achieved so little of it." Schneider narrowly defeated Gee in the November general election, taking 50.7% of the vote.

He went on to win reelection 19 times. He was defeated in the Republican wave election of 2010 by Scott Krug, ending a 40-year run in the Wisconsin State Assembly.