Kohl, Herbert H., 1935-

Herbert H. Kohl (born February 7, 1935) is an American businessman and politician. A member of the Democratic Party, he served as a U.S. Senator from Wisconsin from 1989 until 2013. Alongside the help of his brother and father, Kohl created the Kohl's department stores chain.

Born and raised in Milwaukee, he graduated from Washington High School there before earning a B.S. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School. Between 1958 and 1964, Kohl was a member of the United States Army Reserve. After finishing graduate school, Kohl worked as an investor in real estate and the stock market, eventually spinning off his own company, Kohl Investments, to manage these assets. He and his brother became heir to a family-owned chain that included 50 grocery stores and several department stores, pharmacies and liquor stores. In 1970, Kohl was named president of Kohl's and served until the corporation was sold to BATUS Inc. Kohl purchased the Milwaukee Bucks from Jim Fitzgerald in 1985 for $18 million to ensure the team remained in Milwaukee, retaining ownership through 2014.

Having served as Chairman of the Wisconsin Democratic Party between 1975 and 1977, Kohl won election to the U.S. Senate from Wisconsin in 1988 with his trademark catchphrase "Nobody's Senator But Yours". Described as a populist-leaning liberal, Kohl is strongly pro-choice and opposes the death penalty. He is highly in favor of affirmative action and supports setting aside funds for women and minorities. He generally had a pro-environmental record and has been an outspoken proponent of American energy independence. He was re-elected in 1994, 2000, and 2006. On May 13, 2011, Kohl announced he would not run for re-election in 2012.

Kohl is the wealthiest resident of Milwaukee, the richest Jewish American from Wisconsin, and was one of the wealthiest U.S. Senators during his time there.