It is election season once again. The primaries are a chance for party members to chose who will represent them in the general election. In Wisconsin, there is no party registration, so anybody can vote in any primary, regardless of party affiliation. Because the primaries are the major stepping stone to a general election faceoff, they can be heated, especially in a midterm year with a low expected turnout. Primaries can often be confusing for a voter, and often voters who go to vote for one candidate in particular (governor, for example) simply rush through the rest of the list picking the names they simply recognize. Not only is this uninformed voting, but can have a huge impact in the general election. Recognition is not electability, and this is how important seats are won or lost by a party.It is important for voters to conduct research prior to heading to the polls. On occasion, people take a shortcut and simply ask their more informed friends. Word of mouth is huge, more important in getting out the vote for a candidate than one probably realizes. I took a look into several metro Milwaukee races, researched primary candidates, and have organized a list with bits of information and my own personal primary picks. Because I will personally be voting in the Republican primary races, I am focusing on those races.
Governor: Scott Walker
Lieutenant Governor: Rebecca Kleefisch
Attorney General: Brad Schimel
There is only one Republican on the primary ballot for Republicans, and that is Waukesha District Attorney Brad Schimel. While Mr. Schimel may breeze through the primary, he will have a tough Democratic competitor. I would not be surprised if his Democrat opponent after the primaries will be Susan Happ, Jefferson County District Attorney. She however faces tough competition from Jon Richards, the frontrunner attorney, and Ismael Ozanne, Dane County District Attorney. While Happ is not the 'frontrunner,' she is a liberal in a red county, she is a woman, and the only one I have personally seen commercials for here in Waukesha County. She obviously is pushing her campaign statewide, while others may only be focusing on GOTV efforts more locally. This may be a huge upset in the Democrat primary. Her commercials portray her making statements assumingly against Brad Schimel and Scott Walker, as if she is already the Democrat pick (much like Mary Burke is doing). This gives the perception of her being the front-runner, thus garnering the progressive vote who, as low information as they already are, may go with name recognition. Very smart campaign tactic, but I think if she were to tone down the partisanship, she might actually have a chance in her primary, appealing to the moderate Democrats. Either way, Brad Schimel is likely to be elected, assuming he doesn't let up on his GOVT efforts in the suburban Milwaukee areas. But if Democrats choose Susan Happ, the race will be much more of an uncomfortable margin of victory for Brad Schimel. However, Brad Schimel must focus on the law. Act 10 is the law. Voter ID is the law. And he should focus his efforts on making sure voters know he will follow the letter of the law, not politicize the law as his potential Democrat opponents already have.
My Pick: Brad Schimel
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| Brad Schimel |
Of all the lesser known candidates of the lesser publicized races, this was probably the easiest choice I could make. Garey Bies is a Republican state representative from Sister Bay. He is a Navy veteran, and had a huge role in shaping criminal justice legislation during his time at the capitol. Julian Bradley is a self-described 'reformed Democrat.' Conversations with his liberal mother led him to conduct research until he had an epiphany; he was a black Republican. Bradley is a rising star within the party, and conduct grassroots efforts to break stereotypes about the GOP. At the convention, the Wisconsin GOP overwhelmingly supported him, with 65% of the convention delegates voting to endorse his campaign for Wisconsin Secretary of State. While Bies is an honorable man who accomplished a lot, Bradley represents the future of the party. A simple google search brings up much more information on Bradley than Bies, leading me to believe Bies may not have a large social media/online presence. Online presence in politics today is a huge factor, especially for the youth vote. The recent struggle the GOP has seen has been with forward movement; how do we take the party forward, the country forward. I think Julian Bradley, as a young black Republican and grassroots activist, may just be the key the Republican Party has been searching for.
My Pick: Julian Bradley
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| M. Julian Bradley |
State Treasurer: Matt Adamczyk, Randall Melchert
Matt Adamczyk is a man with private sector experience who has worked in government under some of Leah Vukmir and Tyler August. Melchert is an attorney, former radio station owner, and has huge media connections. Melchert is running to work with other states' treasurers in getting hundreds of millions of Wisconsin dollars back from the federal government, to make how taxpayer money is spent more transparent, and to promote Governor Scott Walker's 'Wisconsin is open for business' campaign. Adamczyk, however, is running so he can work with the legislature to...drum roll please...eliminate the State Treasurer position. Ok. I'm not kidding. He's running so he can fire himself. Adamczyk believes the position is antiquated and the state can save taxpayer money by eliminating the position. While this may or may not be true (and I do believe many of the state's conservatives believe it is unnecessary), and while the fight to end wasteful spending is admirable, he proposes no good ideas to modernize the position. Melchert, on the other hand, seems to want to streamline the job, support Gov. Walker's efforts to grow businesses, and bring the state treasurer position into the 21st century. So ask yourselves, do you want to vote for someone who will be paid by the taxpayer dollars he calls wasteful to do nothing but eliminate the position, or someone who brings ideas to the table to modernize the department?
My Pick: Randall Melchert
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| Randy Melchert |
US Congress District 1: Paul Ryan, Jeremy Ryan
Ok. Seriously? Jeremy Ryan is a progressive socialist, borderline communist, who according to a 2011 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article, was arrested 9 times and fined 15 times for a total of about $3605, which he had not paid a cent of at the date of the article's printing. He is only running to confuse GOP voters, hoping Paul Ryan supporters will mistakenly vote for the wrong Ryan. Newsflash: Jeremy Ryan is a joke. If you are reading this and even have to question who will be my political pick for this one, you should probably just vote in the Democrat primary.
My Pick: Paul Ryan
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| Paul Ryan |
US Congress District 4: David King, Dan Sebring
This is an interesting Republican primary because the district mostly encompasses the city of Milwaukee. Additionally, depending on who wins the primary, if a tough enough fight is put up, one of these men could actually unseat Gwen Moore. David King is not only a staunch black conservative, but serves his call to God as a pastor. King, growing up in Milwaukee, served as a neighborhood security aid. He is also a businessman, as he managed multiple restaurants. King also is the founder of the Milwaukee God Squad which seeks to help improve the community with the interests of volunteers. Dan Sebring is a Navy veteran, worked at the Pentagon under the Reagan administration, and is the current Milwaukee County Republican Party Chairman. These two men both bring something unique to the table. King is a community activist, and as a man serving God, could do wonders for the community as a Congressman. He has the right ideas of how to stem violence in the city, and his ideas closely match those of Milwaukee Sheriff David Clarke. Sebring has a multitude of experience in both the private and public sector, and may really know how to get something done in Congress for Milwaukee constituents.
On his site, Sebring states, "I have a better chance of unseating Gwen Moore than I ever had in the past….and I have a better chance of unseating Gwen Moore than anyone else has today." Yet he has run against Gwen Moore in the primaries before, receiving 25% of the vote in 2012, and 29% of the vote in 2010 (a year where Republicans saw a landslide of victories or improvements in polling numbers in blue districts). Not to mention, Gwen Moore faces a tough primary against Gary George, a felon recently released from prison, yet wildly popular within the district. Moore may not even win the primary, thus this district needs someone who can beat any Democrat opponent in November. While I think Sebring may be a more qualified candidate, as the Milwaukee County GOP Chairman, he has failed time and time again to flip the city itself, even when he is on the ballot himself. One must wonder about his electability. I think the main problem may stem from the GOP's recent inability to put up candidates that closely match the demographics of constituents, and no where is this problem more prevalent than in the inner city. I would suggest Dan Sebring gracefully bow out, allow David King the nomination, and work tirelessly to convert minority voters in the city. Not only would this benefit the minority standing within the GOP, but start to build a Republican voter base within a heavily blue district.
The reason Republicans lose inner city areas is simple. We don't campaign as heavily there. While the suburban areas are fantastic for the GOP, to have a black GOP candidate running to represent a demographic Republicans fail to even engage would be a huge success. Lyndon B. Johnson once said after the progressive liberal Great Society speech that he would "have those n*****s voting Democratic for the next 200 years." So far, as bigoted and ignorant as LBJ was, he has succeeded. Republicans simply need to recruit better candidates who can open up the GOP to the minority community in the inner city. While Dan Sebring is an outstanding and highly qualified individual, my pick would be David King. King can better relate to the minority community, engage inner city voters, and still fit the more conservative beliefs of the outlying areas of the 4th Congressional District. I think that with David King as the candidate, and Dan Sebring campaigning tirelessly behind him with the full force of the Milwaukee County Republican Party, the GOP may actually have a chance to flip this urban district.
My Pick: David King
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| David King |
Assembly District 97: Scott Allen, Joe Banske, Kathleen Cummings, Aaron Perry, Brandon Rosner, Vince Trovato
Due to the large field, it's interesting dynamics, and, well, because it's my district so I find it most interesting, I have written out a completely separate opinion post on each candidate. For the full explanation of my opinions, please see that post.
My Pick: Aaron Perry -OR- Vince Trovato
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| Trovato (left), Perry (right) |
Waukesha County Sheriff: Tom Alioto, Eric Severson
Tom Alioto is a self-described businessman, who has owned various businesses throughout the years in addition to serving the police force of the Town of Lisbon. He was a sergeant as well as an interim police chief while there. He plugs transparency, accountability, and a tough stance on drug crime. Eric Severson is a long-time Waukesha resident, enforcer of the law, and has specialized training with various departments. He has spent many years with the Waukesha County Sheriff's department and is familiar with the faces and culture. He, like Alioto, also wants transparency, accountability, and takes a hard stance on drug crime. However, unlike Alioto, he actually demonstrates the leadership and genuine concern for Waukesha County law enforcement. Severson has actually received the Republican Party's endorsement. Tom Alioto, however, claims he is a whistle-blower for Town of Lisbon wrongdoing, when in fact, he filed a complaint on a colleague's pay. After his claim was dismissed, he appealed, allowing him to restate his frivolous claim. Not only did this cost taxpayers over $100,000, but Alioto also felt it necessary to sue for $5 million in lost wages for a 'hostile work environment,' contributing to the dissolution of the small police force in favor of contracting with the Waukesha County Sheriff's Department for law enforcement. If Alioto can't handle a hostile work environment, why is he in the law enforcement industry. This is a no brainer. If you want someone who has demonstrated ability, someone who already has respect amongst the men and women who protect and serve, and someone who uses good judgment to enforce the law with transparency and accountability, chose Severson. If you want a cry-baby cop who essentially sues the taxpayers he is supposed to protect and serve, choose 'I'll Sue You' Alioto.
My Pick: Eric Severson
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| Eric Severson |
State Senate District 21: Jonathan Steitz, Van Wanggaard
This is an interesting race as well. Van Wanggaard is a former state senator of the same district wants his old job back. There's just one problem. He was recalled. And lost. To the Democrat. The Racine/Kenosha area is a blue-trending district, but with a proper and engaging conservative, can easily sway it red. While Van Wanggaard was a swing vote much of the time for Republicans, having a lone swing vote meant an uneasy opposition for Governor Walker's agenda. Time and time again he went up against Republicans, seemingly as often as he was with them. I don't use this term very much, nor do I like it in any way shape or form, but if there ever was a RINO, Van Wanggaard is it. He's iffy, at best. Unreliability in this volatile political environment is simply something that is unwelcomed among a victorious but vulnerable GOP held state senate. The 21st district is a newly drawn one, going from less than half conservative to almost 60% conservative. Moderate, wishy-washy candidates no longer represent these constituents best. Jonathan Steitz is a family man and has private industry experience in finance and law. He fully understands the need for a united GOP state senate to ensure passage of crucial bills from the governor's desk. This is an easy one. Jonathan Steitz.
My Pick: Jonathan Steitz
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| Jonathan Steitz & Supporters |
Overview: Political Primary Picks:
- Governor - Scott Walker
- Lieutenant Governor - Rebecca Kleefisch
- Attorney General - Brad Schimel
- Secretary of State - Julian Bradley
- State Treasurer - Randall Melchert
- Congressional District 1 - Paul Ryan
- Congressional District 4 - David King
- Congressional District 5 - James Sensenbrenner
- Assembly District 97 - Aaron Perry -OR- Vince Trovato
- Waukesha County Sheriff - Eric Severson
- State Senate District 21 - Jonathan Steitz
Check your voting registration, poll location, and more at My Vote Wisconsin!
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