Thomas Ryum Amlie (April 17, 1897 – August 22, 1973) was an American politician who served as a two-time U.S. representative from Wisconsin's 1st congressional district.
[1] Following his graduation he then went on to attend and then to the University of North Dakota from 1916-1918, after which he spent a short period of time in the United States Army.
[2] Following his return, he then attended the University of Minnesota for a year, but became disinterested in pursuing a career in teaching sociology and economics and began organizing for the Nonpartisan League.
[2] In October 1931, Amlie was elected as a Republican to represent Wisconsin's 1st congressional district in the 72nd United States Congress, replacing Henry A. Cooper who had died in office, and served until March 1933.
Amlie was one of the most radical Republicans to have prominence within the party, and he "firmly believed that capitalism itself was dying and that Roosevelt could at most postpone the inevitable.
[8]: 150 Despite supporting these efforts, Amlie and his radical allies were blocked by Phil and William T. Evjue, the editor of the Madison-based Capital Times.
[8]: 153–155 By the end of July, 1934, Amlie had declined to seek a gubernatorial bid both for financial reasons,but also because he felt La Follette would be the best candidate to lead the Progressive ticket.
"[8]: 205 In 1938, Amlie joined Democrats Jerry Voorhis and Robert Allen in sponsoring the Industrial Expansion Bill, which would have created a planned economy in the United States.
Serving with Amlie on the committee were Homer Martin of the UAW,[10] Democrat Jerry Voorhis; the sociologist and pacifist Emily Greene Balch, the New York attorney and feminist Dorothy Kenyon and the poet Sara Bard Field.
The primary would prove to be a bitter contest, as it reopened old divides in the Progressive Party between allies of La Follette and younger radicals.
[8]: 219 During the primary, Ekern had garnered the private support of Philip and Robert La Follette Jr., while Amlie had gained the endorsement of Milwakee Mayor Daniel Hoan.
[13] Roosevelt eventually appointed Amlie as special assistant United States attorney in the Federal Land Commission office in Milwaukee.
[2] He died on August 22, 1973, his remains were cremated and interred at the Sunset Memory Gardens, In the Forest Hill Cemetery in Madison, Wisconsin.