Senate from Wisconsin, losing to Republican incumbent Bob Kasten by a small margin after a very bitter election. In an unsuccessful bid for Wisconsin governor in 1998 against three-term incumbent Tommy Thompson, Garvey sought to highlight campaign finance reform and limited contributions to his campaign to a fixed amount per donor. Thompson won by a wide margin. Death Garvey died of complications from Parkinson's Disease at a nursing home in Verona, Wisconsin. Electoral history 1986 U.S. Senate election Democratic primary Ed Garvey (D) Matt Flynn (D) General election Bob Kasten (R) (inc.), 50.9% (754,573 votes) Ed Garvey (D), 47.4% (702,963 votes) 1988 Democratic primary for U.S. Senate Herb Kohl Tony Earl Ed Garvey Doug La Follette 1998 gubernatorial election Tommy Thompson (R) (inc.), 60% Ed Garvey (D), 39% References Sources Archived FightingBob, Garvey's blog. External links Fightin' Bob Fest 1940 births 2017 deaths Executive Directors of the National Football League Players Association Minnesota lawyers People from Burlington, Wisconsin Sports labor leaders United States Army soldiers Military personnel from Wisconsin University of Wisconsin Law School alumni Wisconsin lawyers Wisconsin Democrats Trade unionists from Wisconsin 20th-century American lawyers