Jeremiah McLain Rusk, a member of the Republican Party, began his career as a planter, innkeeper, and banker before the American Civil War. He served in the Union Army, rising to the rank of brevet colonel, and later commanded the 25th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment. Post-war, Rusk transitioned into politics, serving in the United States House of Representatives and as Governor of Wisconsin, where he managed labor disputes. He was appointed Secretary of Agriculture, focusing on agricultural policies and development.

Jeremiah McLain Rusk's political career reveals a complex interplay between military discipline and governance, marked by an unexpected convergence with opposing factions on labor issues. His tenure as Secretary of Agriculture highlights a commitment to agricultural development, while his use of the National Guard during labor strikes shows a calculated approach to maintaining public order. Rusk's ideological stance on labor regulations is particularly intriguing, as evidenced by his harsh response to the May Day Labor Strikes of 1886, which resulted in significant casualties. This juxtaposition of progressive agricultural policies with a hardline stance on labor rights suggests a highly localized and calculated approach to governance.