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Sept. 10, 2004
Recently, a relative of mine from
Arizona asked how many voters in Wisconsin are registered as
Democrats and how many are registered as Republicans. Answer:
NONE. On Tuesday, September 14, Wisconsin will hold a statewide
primary for the purpose of selecting which Republican or which
Democrat will represent his or her party in November’s general
election. Primaries are held for the U.S. Senate, statewide, and
the U.S. House of Representatives, State Senate and State
Assembly, by district, where more than one person has declared his
or her candidacy within either party. Since Wisconsin does not
require persons to register in advance as either Democrat or
Republican, we have what is called an “open primary” where voters
can privately decide in which primary to participate.
For those of us that have spent most of our voting lives in Wisconsin, this
is all that we have known, and publicly registering our party preference is
foreign to us. Wisconsin is, however, only one of nine states that has an
open primary. The significance, statistically, is hard to judge. Where both
parties have competitive primaries in key races, most Republicans and
Democrats “stay home” and vote in the primary in which their respective
allegiances lie. Party leaders typically urge members to vote in their party
of preference even where no significant primaries exist, in order to show
numerical voting strength.
Some would argue that the open primary does, however, open the door for
“mischief” by allowing persons with allegiances to one party to “cross over”
and affect the outcome of a primary in the other party. Motives for “cross
over” may be political—to produce a weaker opponent in the general election,
or philosophical—to choose an opposite party candidate whose views more
closely resemble that of the voter’s in case the other party’s candidate
wins.
Whatever your view of the “open primary,” our democratic system of
government depends upon the participation of the electorate and, as you will
learn below, many primary elections determine the final outcome for November
because the other party has not fielded a candidate or one party dominates
the election preference in a given district. We urge all of you to examine
the candidates and their positions and to exercise your constitutional right
to vote—in the Primary as well as the General Election.
For a summary of all primaries we encourage
you to visit
HCG’s Primary Update.
Policy Developments
Revenue Collections Increase over
Previous Years
General fund tax collections have increased 5.3 percent and are
0.6 percent higher than the current estimate of $10,670 million.
Accounting for the increase were individual tax collections which
were $57.1 million more than estimated, and utility tax
collections at $8.8 million more. More details are available at
the
Revenue Collections Report.
Governor Doyle
issued a statement saying he's pleased his "Grow Wisconsin" plan is
working. Wisconsin Department of Revenue Secretary Michael L. Morgan also
applauded the plan, saying that thanks to Governor Doyle's Grow Wisconsin
plan, Wisconsin is now being seen as a great place to do business and create
jobs.
Assembly Speaker John Gard said the new revenue figures are "just one more
sign that President Bush's tax cuts on the federal level have combined with
the Job Creation Act's regulatory reforms on the state level to trigger
robust economic growth in Wisconsin."
Sen. Meyer Appointed to PSC
State Senator Mark Meyer
has been appointed commissioner for the Wisconsin Public Service
Commission by Gov. Doyle. Doyle noted Meyer’s experience as well as his good
judgment and balanced decision-making as important credentials for dealing
with issues that will come before the commission. In an
interview with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Meyer said he sees the
role of the commission as one geared toward economic development.
Meyer, who announced earlier this year that he would not seek re-election to
the State Senate, will complete the rest of the term vacated by Avi Bie,
followed by a full six-year term. Bie stepped down from the commission in
July. Senate confirmation is required but is expected to go smoothly as
Meyer is respected by colleagues on both sides of the aisle.
Boies Joins PSC as Executive Assistant
Cathy Boies
has been named executive assistant to newly appointed Public Service
Commission member Mark Meyer. Boies most recently served as program
manager for Customers First. Her
responsibilities included dealing with energy and telecom issues, managing
communications and legislative matters, and supervising public relations for
the organization. “I look forward to the opportunity to assist Commissioner
Meyer and others at the PSC in developing balanced policies for energy and
telecom questions facing the state,” said Boies.
Kreuser Appoints Rep. Mark Pocan to Joint Finance
Assembly Democratic Leader
Jim Kreuser announced the appointment of Rep. Mark Pocan of Madison to
the Joint Committee on Finance. Rep. Pocan will be joining Rep. Pedro Colon
of Milwaukee, who was also recently appointed, as Assembly Democrat
representatives on the 16 person committee.
Wisconsin Politics
Wisconsin Primary Sept. 14
The Wisconsin Primary Elections will be held next Tuesday,
September 14. Historically, voter turnout is low for primary
elections. The statewide average since 1970 is 16.65 percent. The
highest turnout was 26.9 percent in 1982 where there was no
incumbent Governor and heated gubernatorial primaries in both
parties. The lowest was 10.3 percent in 1990 where the only
statewide contested primary the Democratic primary for Attorney
General. Candidates are hopeful that the party faithful will turn
out the vote as there are several key races that will be decided
on Tuesday - ending months of campaigning for many candidates. Key
races that will be decided include:
-
U.S. Senate - there are four Republicans vying to face incumbent Russ
Feingold.
-
4th
Congressional District - two State Senators and an attorney face off to
challenge the winner of the Republican Primary, either, Corey Hoze or
Gerald Boyle for this open congressional seat that was held for many years
by Jerry Kleczka.
-
4th
Senate District – vacated by Congressional candidate, Sen. Gwen Moore,
three Democrats are challenging for this open seat. Whoever wins the
primary wins the seat as there are no Republican challengers.
-
16th Senate District - vacated by former Senate Majority Leader Chuck
Chvala, two Democratic Assemblymen are competing to face Republican Eric
Peterson.
-
20th Senate District - Senate Majority Leader Mary Panzer faces an
unexpected challenge from fellow Republican Representative Glenn Grothman.
Other Congressional primaries include: 1st
(D), 2nd (R) and 5th (D).
Additional State Senate primaries—Democrat: 10th
and 32nd & Republican: 12th, 14th and 30th.
In the State Assembly, there are several open
seats with primaries (36th, 38th, 41st, 44th, 45th, 46th, 48th, 58th, 80th,
85th, 96th) as well as incumbents facing primary challengers (6th, 25th,
32nd, 40th, 47th, 49th, 50th, 53rd, 71st, 73rd, 79th, 99th).
See
The Hamilton Consulting Group’s Primary Update for more detailed
information on the primary elections.
Plale Recall Effort Fails
A committee which was organized to pursue a recall election of Senator
Plale for his failure to support an override of the governor’s “tax freeze”
was unable to obtain the minimum required signatures by last Tuesday’s
deadline.
Nader to Be On Wisconsin Ballot
Independent presidential candidate Ralph Nader turned in sufficient
signatures to be on the Wisconsin Presidential ballot in November.
Political News
Sept. 14 primary endorsements: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel,
Sept. 9,
2004.
Registrations up before primary election: Green Bay Press-Gazette,
Sept. 9, 2004.
Michels says experience gives him an edge in Senate race: Milwaukee
Journal Sentinel, Sept. 9, 2004.
Carpenter goes for blue-collar vote: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel,
Sept. 9, 2004.
Welch a veteran party tactician: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel,
Sept. 9, 2004.
Democrats seeking Huebsch's seat talk health care, education: La Crosse
Tribune, Sept. 9,
2004.
Democratic opponents exchange jabs before primary: Manitowoc Herald
Times, Sept. 9, 2004.
Unexpected
candidates highlight 45th District race: Janesville Gazette, Sept. 9,
2004.
Three Republicans compete for 14th Senate District seat: Appleton
Post-Crescent, Sept.
9, 2004.
Olsen gets edge on experience, independence (opinion): Appleton
Post-Crescent, Sept. 9, 2004.
Ainsworth
good for district, Wisconsin (opinion): Appleton Post-Crescent, Sept. 9,
2004.
New Voters Project registers 74,000 young people in state: Janesville
Gazette, Sept. 9,
2004.
Fight for GOP's heart and soul: Madison Capital Times, Sept. 7, 2004.
Economy, jobs are key in GOP Senate race: Green Bay Press-Gazette, Sept.
7, 2004.
Senate challengers have little differences:
Fond du Lac Reporter, Sept.
6, 2004.
Six-way race enlivens 47th Assembly District: Madison Capital Times,
Sept. 6, 2004
Battle-hardened Boyle tackles tough race in 4th District: Milwaukee
Journal Sentinel,
Sept. 6, 2004.
Tommy vs. Jim:
Milwaukee
Journal Sentinel, Sept. 6, 2004.
Will labor sway election?
Janesville
Gazette, Sept. 5, 2004.
Upcoming Fundraisers
For details, go to
Hamilton Consulting Fundraiser Calendar
Monday, Sept. 13
- Rep. Scott Gunderson (R-Waterford),
Waterford
- Sen. Bob Wirch (D-Kenosha), Kenosha
- Sen. Dave Hansen (D-Green Bay), Green Bay
- Terry Moulton (R) 68th AD candidate,
Chippewa Falls
Thursday, Sept. 16
Saturday, Sept. 18
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