The latest John Doe probe against gambling wrapped up in March 1964. This investigation, with dozens of arrests, helped attorney Dominic Frinzi gain headlines, as he was the attorney for many of the men accused. Frinzi decided to use this new found fame.
April 9, 1964: Dominic Frinzi, 42, announced his candidacy for governor on the Democratic ticket. His announcement came with blasting the current governor, John Reynolds. “Since his election, our present governor has apparently become unconcerned with the will of the majority of the people. He has become obsessed with pet programs completely out of touch with the wishes of the majority of the citizens of the state of Wisconsin, as clearly indicated in the crushing defeat of his ill-fated Project 66. It was for this project that our present governor called a special session of the legislature when he was obviously out of step with the will of the people. While i consider myself a loyal Democrat, I have not become entangled in the party machinery presently in control of the executive branch of this state. For this reason I feel I can speak out freely, openly and honestly. I feel that the many loyal and dedicated rank and file Democrats whom i find agree with my sentiments need a spokesman in the forthcoming Democratic primary for the office of governor of the state of Wisconsin… For the above reasons I announce my candidacy.”
That same week he was seen meeting with Alabama Governor Wallace at the Schroeder Hotel. He explained, “I was at the Scroeder on another matter and I met two of Wallace’s brothers, one of them is a circuit judge and the other a lawyer, and they invited me to see the governor.” He said they talked about civil rights, but would not say if he agreed with Wallace on the issue and said he was not a Wallace supporter.
April 16, 1964: Richard Thompson spoke to an informant. When asked about Dominic Frinzi, the informant said Frinzi must be running with his “tongue in cheek” because he had no chance of winning. The informant said it was likely just to get free advertising for his law practice.
April 17, 1964: SA John Gassaway met with an informant. Many things were discussed. It was said that Dominic Frinzi was serious in his bid for governor, and it was expected the Balistrieri gang would open a headquarters for him and do all they could.
April 22, 1964: An informant told SA Holtzman as far as he knows, Dominic Frinzi did not represent any unions despite being friends with Joseph Caminiti. He believed Frinzi was encouraged to enter politics by Governor Wallace of Alabama, who had been in Milwaukee. Contrary to news coverage, the informant said Wallace and Frinzi met “frequently” when Wallace was in town.
April 29, 1964: Dominic Frinzi said he was going to “stump the state” running for governor. “This is not a personal matter with Reynolds and myself. I don’t feel I am running against an individual. I am going to run on a positive, aggressive basis. The issues will unfold as my campaign develops.” He said he would “divorce” himself from his law practice during the campaign and turn it over to two associates. The paper noted he had never held elective office before, but was president of Unico National for a while, as well as a variety of other accomplishments.
May 3, 1964: SA John Gassaway spoke with his informant. Dominic Frinzi was said to be serious in his run for governor, but did not actually expect to win. It was believed the real goal was to raise his public profile and use that to secure a spot as criminal court judge. The Outfit was not planning to throw a lot of money at Frinzi, but he would have the money he needs.
The Milwaukee Sentinel speculated on May 26, 1964 that Dominic Frinzi was not serious about his gubernatorial run against John Reynolds and was only trying to stir up trouble. They said “observers” believed he was upset for not getting the county judge seat that was instead awarded to Elliot N. Walstead (an expert on real estate law). Others said it was revenge for Reynolds launching the anti-gambling John Doe probe, where Frnzi was the attoeney for many of the targets. Judge Harvey Neelen was said to have a Frinzi bumper sticker on his car and called the attorney “capable and honest.” Frinzi denied these rumors and said he was running because he expected to win, and was opening campaign offices in Kenosha, Racine, Waukesha, Madison and Menasha. Harvey Kitzman, regional director of the UAW, said Frinzi had “no support among labor.” Attorney Roman H Papka, president of the Frinzi for Governor committee, said Frinzi was targeting the independent vote. He said, “Frinzi’s a neophyte in politics but maybe that’s what we need.”
May 31, 1964: Frinzi spoke at a Parent Teacher Association meeting in Forest Junction. He proposed a state department to prevent juvenile delinquency, modeled after the Peace Corps. “Our youths want responsibility and we fail to give it to them.” The department would “concern itself with the prevention of problem youths, and not involve itself with the punishment, rehabilitation or education of youths. This department would harness the tremendous energies of youth into constructive activity.”
June 1, 1964: A youth committee supporting Frinzi for governor was established. Thomas G Nardelli of Milwaukee was president. Patrick Day of Two Rivers was vice president. Steve Sperry of Milwaukee secretary, and H. Leslie Baumgardner of Milwaukee treasurer.
June 17, 1964: Frinzi formally filed for governor in Madison. 5,000 signatures were required. He said he had that many, and in fact had as many as 120,000 signatures. After filing, he told the press, “I am happy to be in this race with such a high spirited citizen as Gov. Reynolds, who has capitalized on the enviable record established by our former governor, Senator Gaylord Nelson. It is my belief that our state government can and should run on fewer dollars and more sense.”
June 18, 1964: Frinzi had a campaign rally at the Eagles Club that brought 600 supporters. At 8:35pm, a donkey walked out of stage with a sign around its neck saying “I Want a Leader.” Then a six-piece band played “On Wisconsin” as Frinzi walked out. He gave a speech that consisted of 15 pages. He spoke against the selective sales tax, which Reynolds pledged to repeal but then kept in place. Frinzi called this tax “a relic of the past” and “a step backwards” and preferred a graduated income tax. He said he would bring heavy industry to Wisconsin. He would create legislation that would allow savings and loan institutions to invest their capital in state industries. He said the state needed a strong civil rights law. The room was hot, but the 600 people there enjoyed pitchers of beer, popcorn, potato chips and pretzels that were supplied to every table. He vowed to visit all 72 counties on his campaign, something that had (allegedly) never been attempted before. Reporters observed the following public officials in the crowd: alderman Robert Jendusa, court commissioner James Sammarco, assistant DA Richard Surges, Assemblymen Angelo Greco and Vincent Mathews, and former judge Frank Gregorski. Attorney Laurence Gram, chairman of the West Allis Democrats, was also there.
June 22, 1964: The Milwaukee Journal shared a photo of Judge Harvey Neelen’s Chevrolet convertible bumper and his Frinzi for Governor bumper sticker. They said this was unethical for two reasons: the judge position was non-partisan (and the sticker was pro-Democrat), and it could show bias for times Frinzi appeared in Neelen’s courtroom.
July 26, 1964: Frank J Campenni, English instructor at UW-Milwaukee, was hired on as Frinzi’s speech writer for the duration of the campaign. He was paid $2,500 for less than two months. Campenni had previously worked for Mayor Maier and Senator Proxmire.
August 9, 1964: Frinzi spoke to 500 peopel at a $25-per-plate dinner in the Shroeder Hotel Crystal Ballroom after being introduced by Father Salvatore Tagliavia. He said Reynolds was “high promise, low performance.” He said he was the candidate for the people. “I don’t want Wisconsin to just vote against a governor, I want Wisconsin to vote for a governor. Let’s have a Democratic party, not a party of kingmakers and bosses.” Frinzi ripped Reynolds for the “slick political stunt” of reclassifying Wisconsin’s state colleges as universities. This meant that Wisconsin now had more “universities” than New York, California, Michigan or Illinois and would cause the university budget to go from 100 million to over 1 billion. Frinzi said a college is for teaching undergraduates, while a university does more, including research. “If this decision is allowed to stand, we will exchange a fine university and 10 good state colleges for a dozen fifth rate, half baked, so-called universities.” He again pushed for his youth department, saying, “We can afford a department of agriculture to protect our crops and our cows – but not one for our people. We can afford a department to protect our natural resources, but not our human resources. I believe we can afford a department of youth.”
August 16, 1964: Frinzi added a new plank to his governor platform. He wanted to lower traffic deaths. Speaking to Steelworkers Local 85 at Polish Falcon Hall, he blamed the labor movement’s Committee on Political Education (COPE) for highway deaths. His reasoning? Labor had opposed the state hiring more traffic cops because they fired the officers would be used as strike breakers. Frinzi said the days of cops busting unions was over. “Our police are not cossacks and will never be used that way.” The newspapers reported that Reynolds did back down a bit from highway patrol expansion because of pressure, but was pushing for “highway construction acceleration” because freeways were much safer than highways.
August 17, 1964: Frinzi spoke to the Milwaukee American Legion and again focused on highway safety. He said Wisconsin traffic deaths would reach 1,000 in 1964 for the first time. In addition to more highway cops, he said manufacturers should install padded dashboards and collapsible steering shafts. The driving age should be raised to 18. And speed limits on expressways ought to be raised to reduce accidents, including setting a minimum speed limit.
August 23, 1964: Frinzi spoke in Kenosha. He again pushed for bigger highway patrols and raising driving age to 18. He said insurance companies “know” that “half the accidents happen to people under 25,” and this move would help rates for all. He also spoke about his youth programs. “We should consider everything from a state youth symphony to a domestic youth corps; fro man extension of youth conservation camps to crash programs to curb school dropouts – and much more besides. We spend a great deal of money and effort in looking for youthful offenders and trying them in youth court. Why can’t we spend the same amount of energy and… show them that creativity and learning and contributing give more enjoyable and satisfaction than inflicting pain or damage or loss to others?”
August 31, 1964: An informant told SA Gassaway he was told by Dominic Frinzi that 90% of Frinzi’s financial backing in his governor campaign came from the New York Mafia through Bill Bonanno. If elected, Milwaukee Mafia members would get access to patronage jobs. (I don’t know who this informant is, but this sounds like hogwash.)
September 1, 1964: Frinzi issued a statement complaining that the Democratic Party was treating him unfairly, promoting Governor Reynolds for re-election before the primary ever happened. He cited numerous examples of where Reynolds was given prominence in literature and news stories. He said, “Until the primary, which I intend to win, it would be premature to say whether I will cross that bridge or burn it. It is fair to say. However, that because of the dastardly conduct of the party leaders, I am seriously contemplating a number of possible alternatives, not all of them to my personal liking.” One idea floated around was running as an independent. Local Democratic chairman William Riggins told the press, “Frinzi has received very fair treatment. All of his complaints are fancied. I would hope Dominic Frinzi is a better Democrat than to threaten to run as an independent candidate, apparently in anticipation that he’s going to lose. I would hope he would accept the result of the September 8 primary.”
September 3, 1964: Democratic State Chairman Louis Hanson said an “unholy alliance” was supporting the Frinzi campaign. Hanson believed that the Republican Party was pushing for Frinzi in order to weaken Reynolds. The goal, Hanson believed, was to destroy anti-gambling laws. Around the same time, Republican chairman Vincent Mercurio received a written reprimand for telling people Frinzi “was conducting a vigorous campaign and that he appeared to be making headway.” (The Mercurio incident received a very large article in the press. Although I think it’s only a coincidence, I can’t help but point out the only Republican to openly praise Frinzi was a known member of the Milwaukee Mafia, and influential uncle of August Maniaci.)
Frinzi responded to accusations he was pro-gambling, which was based on him representing a large number of recent John Doe defendants. “Was I behind the mysterious forces that caused Reynolds’ special prosecutor to take a dive on the major case they brought to court?” This was a reference to Attorney General George Thompson ordering 13 charges against corrupt vice cop Harry Kuszewski (covered in a different episode) be dropped. “Was I behind the mysterious forces on the state supreme court that decided 7 to 0 in the two cases brought before them in which they repudiated the means used in this diabolical investigation?” Frinzi said he was not opposed to John Doe proceedings when they are conducted properly.
September 6, 1964: Frinzi told the press he expected a large backing from labor unions in the state. He specifically said he had the backing of Tony Russo, president of UAW Local 75 in Kenosha. With 16,000 members, it was said to be the largest union in the state – it covered the American Motors plant. Frinzi said he had not “personally talked to Frank Ranney,” but believed Ranney was supporting him – he was secretary-treasurer of Teamsters Joint Council 39, which included 33,000 members. (Ranney was strongly affiliated with Frank Balistrieri, so it would not be surprising if he supported Frinzi – but that does not mean he had any influence on how teamsters voted.)
September 8: Frinzi received 102,000 votes in the Democratic primary, approximately 30% of all votes. He was defeated by incumbent John Reynolds.
September 10, 1964: An informant told SA Knickrehm that he heard that Dominic Frinzi was backed by the New York Mafia, and that he would run as an independent if they continued this support. (This does not appear to be the same informant who spoke with Gassaway, meaning this rumor got around.)
September 14, 1964: Frinzi spoke to a group of the Wisconsin Distilled Spirits Executive Club at Chico’s. After, he opened the floor to questions and he addressed the “unholy alliance” claim. “I worked 43 years to build up my name and my reputation and I am not going to let them destroy it. I challenge them to prove that I made a deal with Republican candidate Warren Knowles that I would give him my support in exchange for his support in getting legalized gambling in Wisconsin. They have tried to create the impression that I am going to bring organized crime and legalized gambling into Wisconsin. Before they even made the charge, I had gone on record opposing legalized gambling.” (There is some irony that he made these comments at a restaurant owned by a known Mafia member, Frank LaGalbo.)
September 16, 1964: Frinzi told the press he had not decided if he was running as an independent, though unauthorized people had already been circulating nomination papers for him. On September 21, he formally announced he would not be running. However, Frinzi said he would not endorse Reynolds until the governor approached him – the two had not spoken since the primary, and Frinzi considered it an insult that the governor never reached out to Frinzi’s supporters.
On October 12, 1964, John Gassaway’s informant said Dominic Frinzi was “depressed” after losing the governor primary. Not so much for losing (which was expected), but because Governor Reynolds had not reached out at all following the primary.
October 28, 1964: A group of Frinzi supporters, lead by attorney Wayne Rowlee, met at Glorioso’s at 1010 East Brady. At this meeting they passed a resolution urging Frinzi voters to switch sides and vote for Warren Knowles, highlighting the candidate’s “distinguished record” that “better qualified him for the governorship.” Attorneys Nicholas Catania and Frank Calarco were at this meeting, but attorney John Carr (Frinzi’s campaign director) was not. When asked by the media, Frinzi said he found out about this meeting after the fact, and had no interest in dissuading or persuading them. Frinzi said he was not supporting Reynolds but would not openly endorse Knowles.