Not only is the primary for Wisconsin's Assembly District 97 exciting, it's the assembly district I have the pleasure of voting in. Bill Kramer is not seeking reelection for the seat after allegations of sexual harassment surfaced. While it is important to maintain that he is innocent until proven guilty, he made the smart decision to let someone else take the reigns, as liberals would be foaming at the mouth at a chance of a general election against Kramer. With that said, the primary field in this particular district is quite large, so I will try and keep it short and to the point. One more thing. This is a reflection of my own personal opinions and are not official endorsements of any candidate. Anything seemingly negative is not meant to sway you to or from another candidate. They're all Republicans and for that, I will support any of them in the general election. However this district is cut throat conservative; win the primary, win the election. Quite literally a winner-take-all primary.
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| Scott Allen |
Scott Allen is a pious veteran native to the area, former Waukesha alderman, and long time Scott Walker supporter (since 1997). He encompasses family values that fit well with Waukesha County residents. He would represent the district well, but since his time as alderman, the city itself has changed (continued to improved really), name recognition would not be on his side. However, with his private industry experience as well as former Waukesha government experience, Allen could be an ideal candidate for the district. If he doesn't win this primary, I would hope he runs against gross croc-wearing slob and former mayor Larry Nelson for a county board position. Scott Allen is definitely the type of candidate you would want representing you.
Joe Banske
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| Joe Banske |
Joe Banske is a business owner of a franchise of a Freddie Mac/ Fannie Mae residential mortgage lender (red flag #1), former Town of Waukesha supervisor (lost to Jim Radke earlier this year, red flag #2), and known rabble-rouser (red flag #3). Banske associates himself with the disgraced federal loan sharks who caused the economic depression. He lost his town supervisor race because he wasn't properly representing constituents. And every position he is elected to, there is drama. His most notable drama is most certainly chasing a Walgreens/Aldi project out of building near the Fox Run Shopping Center at the intersection of St. Paul and Sunset. In fact, the area had been cleared for the Walgreens/Aldi project, bringing yet more economic prosperity and job growth to the Sunset Drive area; that is until Banske, as town supervisor at the time, essentially chased them out with demanding restrictions and squabbles with the town's Chairman Joe Marek. More recently, he disobeyed a city restriction on candidates promoting themselves in parades. While other candidates gladly walked along the 4th of July parade route handing out literature and chatting with voters, Banske operatives rode bikes in the actual parade proudly showing campaign signs. I mean, seriously. If you chase away an economic powerhouse and job creator, show complete disregard for election rules, and have recently lost an election because of your complete disregard for constituents, why bother running for another office? All I can say about Banske as a potential candidate is no thank you.
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| Kathleen Cummings |
Kathleen Cummings is a Waukesha leader well-known in the area. To be honest, she has probably done more for the city of Waukesha than any of the other candidates. Not only is she a former General Electric employee, but she serves the Girl Scouts, St. Mary's church, served on the Waukesha County Board, and has been elected to her district's alderman position 3 times! Very impressive resume, and a strong, proven candidate. Yet with such a history and show for electability comes a record. James Widgerson perfectly described her as quirky, to say the least. She has a history of squabbles with former Waukesha Mayor Jeff Scrima. Despite this, she is a strong conservative candidate, but hasn't mustered up a whole lot of support, even within the city of Waukesha. She must have realized her slipping status in this race, because I've recently been barraged with mailers (2-3 per day) and annoying robo-calls at all hours. While advertising is important, it is important to target voters as well as to engage them, not overload them with the same fluff information every other candidate puts out. Had she ran her campaign centered around voters (door-to-door, GOTV), she may have had a strong lead to the finish. But I think her campaign is too far gone at this point.
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| Aaron Perry |
Aaron Perry is a recent transplant from Minnesota. He works with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, and has lived in Waukesha since 2009 where he and his wife have settled to raise their budding family. With his children recently being born, Perry decided he wanted to be involved with the community to ensure his kids grew up in the best possible environment. In 2013, he was elected to Waukesha Common Council to represent District 12. In a short amount of time, Perry has made it his mission to further better the city of Waukesha, and has become a very popular and well known city leader. Even while campaigning, it is obvious he does not neglect his position as alderman, taking time to respond to everyone who engages him. My perception of Perry is one of a true leader, a family-oriented man who genuinely wants to engage with the community. While he has been recently slammed for supporting background checks on guns by the NRA, as well as voting along with other council members to approve a pay raise, the issues arisen (probably by other candidates) aren't seeming to affect his growing campaign support. That may be because he has a hard stance on some important issues, yet willing to compromise (to an extent) to get work done. Additionally, Perry has detailed responses to issues, along with unique and innovative ideas on how to solve problems. He certainly doesn't give voters a simple yet vague one-liner. He has huge endorsements and whatever 'hit pieces' may arise only seem to add to his popularity. I believe Perry, despite his short time in Waukesha, is probably the most genuine, can-do candidates, and he should perform well during the primary. Should he win, I would have no doubt in his responsiveness to constituents and will to support bills for the greater good of the AD97.
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| Brandon Rosner |
Brandon Rosner, another Waukesha newcomer, is what I like to call the politician-in-a-box, or the 'Ken-doll candidate.' He is a young, good looking, religious man who works in the healthcare insurance and policy industry, married to a doctor with a lovely family, a sportsman, has worked under popular Republicans, is an avid sports guy (visited every MLB baseball stadium!), and knows how to run a campaign. He is a leader of this pack of candidates. The perfect guy to be elected, right? Well wait, where have we seen this charming, seductive perfection before? You got it, Barak Hussein Obama in 2008. While Rosner may have a slight front-runner status, it is important to understand that he may just be good and letting the public know whatever details he wants them to know. He has no concrete elected record. He is newer to the Waukesha area and may not understand the constituency completely. And a look at his issue stance seems to be the general run-of-the-mill vague answers one would expect to hear. I'm not saying he can't be trusted. Not at all. I'm simply stating that we, as a constituency, really know nothing about him except what he prints on literature and posts on his site. These candidates are more difficult to get to know on both a political and personal level. Thus, I'm urging caution, because we have seen these Ken-doll candidates before. There just isn't enough out there to cite.
Vince Trovato
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| Vince Trovato |
Vince Trovato, the dark horse candidate, is a third generation Waukesha native who has a love for public service. He served on the executive board for the Waukesha County Republican Party, worked in various counties coordinating John McCain's presidential campaign in Wisconsin, and has served as a policy adviser for Wisconsin Republican legislators. Trovato even has international affairs experience, as well as owns a company which focuses on increasing and improving relations between Wisconsin businesses and foreign entities across the globe. He is one of the few candidates that I believe is highly qualified and has the experience to succeed as an assemblyman. Unlike other candidates, Trovato also steers clear of controversies and political drama, and willing to sit down with the opposing side to tackle problems. His only downfall may be his later entrance to the race. With such a crowded field, Trovato may have gotten lost in the crowd, especially with the lack of print ads or literature. In the spirit of transparancy, I must admit I may be a bit biased, as I attended high school with his brother and have had the pleasure to meet the Trovato family. But that should only make my point of Vince being an ideal candidate for AD97 even more valid, as I can personally attest to his great work ethic, sense of responsibility, and humble upbringing. And I give major points to any candidate who has lived in their district for more than 5 years, because they know the area as well as the people. I have no doubt, even though Trovato is not a front runner per se, that this dark horse candidate has the greatest potential for success as the representative for the 97th assembly district.
MY PICK:
Because of the number and quality of candidates in the AD97 primary, I couldn't simply suggest only one candidate over all of the others, so I chose two. The two candidates I believe you should give the greatest consideration to at the polls....drum roll.....Aaron Perry -or- Vince Trovato.
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| Vince Trovato (left), Aaron Perry (right) |
Be sure to check your voting information and who's on your ballot at My Vote Wisconsin!
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