July 21, 2006
CANDIDATES SET FOR FALL ELECTIONS
The filing deadline for candidates interested in being on the November ballot was last week, setting the stage for the September 12 partisan primary and the November 7 general election. Based on the initial filings, the following observations are of general interest:
- There are 12 open seats (where the incumbent is not seeking re-election). Of the 11 open Assembly seats, 10 are currently held by Republicans. The open Senate seat is currently held by a Republican.
- Twelve incumbents face primary challenges; three in the Senate (two Democrats and one Republican) and nine in the Assembly (five Democrats and 4 Republicans).
- Of the 104 incumbents up for re-election this year, 37 face either no opposition or opposition from minor party candidates only.
- A preliminary analysis by WisPolitics.com suggests that ten of the 116 in the legislature can be considered toss up races - that is they could go either democrat or republican. Currently, Republicans control the Senate 19-14 and the Assembly 59-39 with one vacant seat that was held by the GOP. According to the WisPolitics analysis, 5 of the 17 Senate races this fall are toss-up with one leaning republican. The other races are solid in one party. Of the 99 Assembly races, 5 are toss up, 5 lean democrat and 14 lean republican with the rest solid.
- In Dane County, Senator Jon Erpenbach and Representatives Gary Hebl, Terese Berceau, Spencer Black, Mark Pocan and Sondy-Pope Roberts are unopposed. (Senators Fred Risser and Mark Miller are not up for re-election this year.) Representative Dave Travis (D, Waunakee) has a primary opponent, Henry Sanders. Representatives Eugene Hahn (R, Cambria), Joe Parisi (D, Madison), and Brett Davis (R, Oregon) face opposition in the general election. Representative David Ward's seat (Assembly District 37) is one of the open seats.
A full listing of all legislative candidates is available at http://thewheelerreport.com/lxn06/index.htm.
In addition to the legislative races, Democrat Governor Jim Doyle is up for re-election and is being challenged by Republican Congressman Mark Green, Wisconsin Greens candidate Nelson Eisman and Constitution candidate Jhered R. Hamby. The offices of Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State and State Treasurer are also up. The candidates for all offices are available on the link above.
There will also be several referenda on the November ballot, including an advisory referendum on reinstating the death penalty (Senate Joint Resolution 5) and a binding referendum to amend the constitution to state that only a marriage between one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in Wisconsin (Senate Joint Resolution 53).
LEGISLATORS SIGN RESOLUTION DEMANDING DR. BARRETT'S FIRING
The Legislature did not vote last week on a proposed resolution condemning UW-Madison lecturer's positions on the 9/11 terrorist attacks and demanding the UW release him from employment. Instead, 61 legislators, including republican leadership, signed the resolution indicating their endorsement of its statements. The signed resolution is available at http://thewheelerreport.com/releases/July06/July20/0720nassrez.pdf, and Representative Steve Nass's (R, Whitewater) release announcing the signatures is available at http://thewheelerreport.com/releases/July06/July20/0720nassbarrettres.pdf.
Provost Pat Farrell's statement regarding his decision to allow Dr. Barrett to teach is available at http://www.news.wisc.edu/12701.html. A statement from Professor Donald Downs entitled "Perspective: The Barrett case and academic freedom at Wisconsin" is available at http://www.news.wisc.edu/12709.html.
For more information on state related issues contact,
Kristi Thorson or Don Nelson
Assistant Directors, State Relations
608/262-8967