September 2006 Primary Election
By Andy Franken

The Hamilton Consulting Group

Sept. 21, 2006

© 2006 The Hamilton Consulting Group

Introduction

State Assembly Races

State Senate Races

Governor and Attorney General Candidates Profiles

NOTE: We have attempted to fairly and accurately present background information on the candidates. The available information is not, however, always consistent and is sometimes non-existent. Anyone wishing to provide additional information, please contact us. (District number links are to District maps, off site. Use your browser's back button to return to this Update.)

Lieutenant Governor

GOP Primary:

• Jean Hundertmark – 115,032 (55.69%)

• Nick Voegeli – 91,537 (44.31%)

Republican State Representative Jean Hundertmark (R-Clintonville) earned the right to share the GOP ticket with gubernatorial candidate Mark Green. Hundertmark is in her fourth term as a Republican State Representative. She has served as Assistant Majority Leader in the Wisconsin Assembly (2003-04), and her current legislative committee assignments include Financial Institutions (Chair), Medicaid Reform, Veterans, Labor, Education and Health. Click here for more on her campaign.

Attorney General

Dem Primary:

• Kathleen Falk – 190,702 (52.75%)

• Peg Lautenschlager – 170,849 (47.25)

Dane County Executive and former Department of Justice Public Intervenor Kathleen Falk defeated incumbent Democrat Peg Lautenschlager in a hard fought and at times nasty primary.

Falk is a graduate of University of Wisconsin Law School, 1976. She attended UW-Waukesha and graduated from Stanford University in 1973. She is married to former State Rep. Peter Bock of Milwaukee. Falk was first elected County Executive of the state’s second largest county in 1997. Now serving her third, four-year term, she is the first county executive to be elected to three full terms, the first to run unopposed, and the first woman elected to the post. Click here for more on her campaign.

GOP Primary:

• J.B. Van Hollen – 144,188 (59.62%)

• Paul Bucher – 97,663 (40.38%)

Former U.S. Attorney J.B. Van Hollen soundly defeated Waukesha County District Attorney Paul Bucher. Van Hollen outspent his opponent by a wide margin and garnered the support of the very popular former Governor and U.S. Department of Social Services Secretary Tommy Thompson. J.B.'s father served in the legislature and then as Governor Tommy Thompson's first Northern Representative. He began his career as an Assistant State Public Defender in Spooner, Wisconsin. In 1991 Van Hollen became a federal prosecutor as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin.

In 1993 Governor Tommy Thompson appointed Van Hollen to the position of District Attorney in Ashland County. Later, Governor Thompson appointed him to serve as Bayfield County District Attorney. Van Hollen was later elected to the position.

J.B. Van Hollen graduated from St. Olaf College in 1988 with an undergraduate degree in Political Science and Economics. He earned his law degree two years later from the University of Wisconsin Law School. Click here for more on J.B.

Secretary of State

Dem Primary:

• Doug La Follette – 232,929 (71.15%)

• Scot Ross – 94,441 (28.85%)

The La Follette name still means something in Wisconsin, if only to ward off primary challenges.  Doug La Follette handily defeated Scot Ross to gain the right to face off against Republican Sandy Sullivan  in November. Still, the Secretary of State position remains one of the most often mentioned for elimination by government reformers.

United States Senate

Dem Primary:

Herb Kohl – 304,592 (85.57%)

Ben Masel – 51,374 (14.43%)

Incumbent Herb Kohl unsurprisingly trounced perennial pro-hemp candidate Ben Masel. Kohl faces Republican Robert Gerald Lorge in November. Washington pundits have this seat comfortably in the Democratic column.

U.S. House of Representatives

1st Congressional District

Dem Primary:

• Jeff Thomas - 13,923 (58.3%)

• Mike Hebert – 6,324 (22.02%)

• Ruth Santa Cruz Bradley – 5,435 (18.93%)

• Steven Herr – 5,302 (18.47%)

• Don Hall – 4,374 (15.23%)

Incumbent Republican Paul Ryan  will face perennial Democratic candidate and retired surgeon Jeffrey Chapman Thomas. Ryan defeated Thomas 65% to 33% in the 2004 election.

3^rd Congressional District

Dem Primary:

• Ron Kind – 39,273 (83.62%)

• Chip De Nure – 7,693 (16.38%)

Incumbent Ron Kind will face Republican Paul Nelson.

7^th Congressional District

GOP Primary:

• Nick Reid – 12,701 (58.81%)

• Jeff  Tyberg – 8,894 (41.19%)

Newcomer Nick Reid graduated from Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science and Pre-Law with a minor in Mathematics.

Nick was employed by the Heritage Foundation, where he served as a State Relations Project Coordinator coordinating Heritage's outreach efforts to State Legislators and Governors. He also served as Deputy Director of U.S. Senate Relations, where he became Heritage's liaison to members and staff of the U.S. Senate. Most recently, Nick worked for the past two years as the Press Secretary to Representative Jim Ryun from Kansas.

Reid will challenge Dave Obey , the Ranking Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee.

8th Congressional District

Dem Primary:

• Steven Kagen – 25,157 (47.55%)

• Jamie Wall – 15,178 (28.69%)

• Nancy Nusbaum – 12,570 (23.76%)

Dr. Steve Kagen outfought his primary opponent for the right to face off against speaker John Gard in the November general election. Kagen, a political newcomer, defeated Nancy Nusbaum, former Brown County executive and congressional candidate who was endorsed by  Emilys List, a national PAC promoting the election of women, and Jamie Wall. Kagen financed most of his campaign from personal funds.

GOP Primary:

• John Gard – 38,931 (68.23%)

• Terri McCormick – 18,131 (31.77%)

Speaker John Gard handily defeated state representative Terry McCormick in the 8^th CD primary.  The win propels Gard into front runner status in this heavily Republican district, which will provide the only excitement in federal races in Wisconsin this fall. The seat was vacated by Congressman Mark Green.

The district has been represented by Republicans for all but one term over the last thirty years. Since the 2002 redistricting, in which Wisconsin lost a congressional district, the 8^th has become more Republican.  A post-primary endorsement by Democratic Assmblyman Bob Ziegelbauer of Manitowoc was a quick strike by the Gard campaign and boosts his chances for succeeding Green.

 Democratic Senate Primaries

Senate District 7

• Jeff Plale – 8,986 (73.69%)

• Donovan riley – 3,208 (26.31%)

Incumbent Jeff Plale soundly defeated the embattled Donovan Riley who faces voting fraud charges resulting from his voting practices in a previous election.

Senate District 25

• Bob Jauch – 11,084 (76.75%)

• Gary Kauther – 3,357 (23.25%)

Incumbent Senator Bob Jauch is seeking his 6^th term and will face a spirited campaign by the GOP candidate Shirley Reideman

Senate District 31

• Kathleen Vinehout – 9,075 (64.18%)

• Chris Danou – 5,066 (35.82%)

Kathleen Vinehout’s strong primary showing should provide some momentum as she challenges first term incumbent and former Fire Chief Senator Ron Brown.

Republican Senate Primary

Senate District 23

• Dave Zien – 5,923 (72.90%)

• Karen Anderson – 2,202 (27.10%)

Taking nothing for granted, Dave Zien reinforced his reputation as a hard worker and tireless campaigner. Zien faces former TV anchorman Pat Kreitlow in the general election.

Democratic Assembly Primaries

Assembly District 16

• Leon Young – 1,733 (79.60%)

• Andy Parker – 444 (20.40)

 Incumbent Leon Young easily won his primary and will be returning to the legislature for the 2007 session.

Assembly District 23

• Stanley Teplin – 2,047 (55.41%)

• Bill Elliott – 1,241 (33.60%)

• Toni Ihler – 406 (10.99%)

Dentist Stanley Teplin is seeking to fill the open seat created by the retirement of Republican Curt Gielow. Teplin graduated from Marquette Dental School and served in the U.S. Air Force. He also has served as an alderman for the City of Mequon.

Assembly District 25

• Bob Ziegelbauer – 3,684 (61.50%)

• Anne Marie Woznicki – 2,306 (38.50%)

Incumbent Bob Zieglebauer was recently elected as Manitowoc County Executive and is seeking to provide dual representation. His recent endorsement of Republican John Gard has caused local Democratic Party leaders to pull support.

Assembly District 29

• Kerry Kittel – 1,643 (60.78%)

Craig Mohn – 1,060 (39.22%)

Kerry Kittel hopes to succeed outgoing Republican Andy Lamb in this swing district based in Menomonie.  Kittel is a graduate of UW-Eau Claire and received his MA in History from UW-River Falls. Kittel served as a WEAC board member and has been a classroom teacher for 27 years.

Assembly District 37

• Andy Jorgensen – 1,397 (52.52%)

• Walt Christensen – 1,263 (47.48%)

Jorgensen is seeking election to the 37^th district vacated by the retirement of Republican David Ward. Jorgensen is a UAW member working for General Motors in Janesville.

Assembly District 43

• Kim Hixson – 1,486 (63.40%)

• John Stellmacher – 858 (36.60%)

Kim Hixson is seeking to unseat two-term incumbent Debi Towns (R-Janesville). Hixson is the past president of the Whitewater common council. Hixson is an associate professor at UW-Whitewater.

Assembly District 47

• Meagan Yost – 2,057 (50.10%)

• Dan Jardine – 2,049 (49.90%)

A recount will determine if Yost will be the candidate to attempt to unseat popular incumbent Eugene Hahn. Yost challenged Hahn two years ago and lost 50% - 46%.

Assembly District 73

• Frank Boyle – 2,402 (65.54%)

• Bruce Meyers – 1,263 (34.46%)

Incumbent Frank Boyle is seeking his 11th term in the State Assembly.

Assembly District 80

• Janis Ringhand – 2,874 (73.96%)

• Walter Fellows – 1,012 (26.04%)

Janis Ringhand is a small businesswoman, working for the family business Ringhand Meats and Beverages. She is challenging Republican Brett Davis, a first term incumbent.

Assembly District 81

• Dave Travis – 3,587 (58.23%)

• Henry Sanders – 2,573 (41.77%)

Incumbent Dave Travis comfortably defeated Sanders in a hard fought primary in Dane County.  Travis is unopposed in general election.

Assembly District 87

• Dewey Floberg – 2,652 (50.11%)

• Judy Reas – 2,684 (49.89%)

Reas has petitioned for a recount. The winner will challenge incumbent Mary Williams in November.

Assembly District 88

• Jim Soletski – 2,270 (60.99%)

• Dan Aude – 1,452 (39.01%)

Soletski is a retired utility worker and is seeking to unseat incumbent Judy Krawczyk.

Assembly District 89

• Randy Koehn – 2,143 (61.19%)

• Bruce Berman – 1,359 (38.81%)

Koehn is seeking to replace outgoing incumbent and congressional candidate Speaker John Gard.

Assembly District 90

• Gary Froseth – 2,288 (53.40%)

• Carl Arnoldi – 1,997 (46.60%)

The Reverend Gary Froseth is a pastor at Bethel Lutheran Church in Green Bay.  He will challenge incumbent and former restaurant owner Karl Van Roy.

Assembly District 91

• Barbara Gronemus – 5,497 (81.03%)

• Mark Totty – 1,287 (18.97%)

Incumbent Barb Gronemus was first elected in 1982.

Republican Assembly Primaries

Assembly District 6

• Gary Tauchen – 3,442 (50.48%)

• Scott McMahon – 1,595 (23.39%)

• Dale Vannes – 1,070 (15.69%)

• JP Drengler – 712 (10.44%)

Tauchen is seeking to succeed retiring incumbent Republican John Ainsworth. Following in Ainsworth’s footsteps, Tauchen is a Shawano County Dairy farmer.

Assembly District 23

• Jim Ott – 3,169 (67.10%)

• John Wirth – 1,554 (32.90%)

Ott hopes to retain this district in the GOP column after the retirement of incumbent Curt Gielow.  Ott received his J.D. from Marquette University and currently serves as the meteorologist for Today’s TMJ 4 and WTMJ radio.

Assembly District 24

• Sue Jeskewitz – 1,091 (61.02%)

• John Weber – 697 (38.98%)

Incumbent Sue Jeskewitz handily defeated a primary challenger. She is unopposed in the general election.

Assembly District 29

• John Murtha – 1,463 (61.32%)

• Rob Stafsholt – 687 (28.79%)

• Issac Weix – 236 (9.89%)

Murtha is seeking to replace retiring incumbent Republican Andy Lamb. Murtha is a small businessman in St. Croix County.

Assembly District 37

• Greg Gasper – 1,611 (50.74%)

• Dennis Lund – 1,204 (37.92%)

• Joseph Hermanny – 360 (11.34%)

Former Senate staffer Greg Gasper is seeking to succeed retiring Republican David Ward.

Assembly District 49

• Gabe Loeffelholz – 3,368 (60.33%)

• Dennis Lundell – 2,215 (39.67%) 

Assembly District 50

• Sheryl Albers – 2,728 (77.15%)

• Craig Buswell – 808 (22.85%) 

Assembly District 53

• Carol Owens – 2,097 (53.54%)

• Richard Spanbauer – 1,820 (46.46%)

Assembly District 54

• Julie Pung Leschke – 2,182 (83.25%)

• Larry Didlo – 439 (16.75%)

Julie Pung Leschke faces Democrat Gordon Hintz in this race to replace retiring GOP Rep. Gregg Underheim in the Oshkosh-based seat. Hintz opposed Underheim in 2004 losing by a 47% to 40% margin with two third-party candidates splitting the remainder.

Assembly District 56

• Roger Roth – 3,327 (60.47%)

• Jeanne Krueger – 1,098 (19.96%)

• Bob Wallis – 1,077 (19.57%)

Roth seeks to replace Terri McCormick who vacated the seat for her unsuccessful bid for the GOP nomination in the 8^th CD.

Assembly District 74

• Shirl LaBarre – 941 (50.62%)

• Dave Suminski – 918 (49.38%)

Shirl LaBarre is challenging Democratic incumbent Gary Sherman.

Assembly District 83

• Scott Gunderson – 3,335 (81.12%)

• David Richmond – 776 (18.88%)

Assembly District 89

• John Nygren – 2,777 (50.33%)

• Gary Drzewiecki – 2,741 (49.67%)

Nygren’s narrow victory was a surprise to some observers due to Drzewiecki’s past success in primaries in this Northeast Wisconsin district. Nygren seeks to replace outgoing Speaker John Gard. Drzewiecki has decided against a recount.

Assembly District 97

• Bill Kramer – 2,250 (55.49%)

• Chris Lufter – 1,805 (44.51%)

Bill Kramer seeks to succeed outgoing Republican Ann Nischke in this Waukesha-based seat.  Nischke recently lost a bid for Mayor of Waukesha.

Assembly District 98

• Rich Zipperer – 4,136 (54.67%)

• Mike Maxwell – 1,268 (16.76%)

• Bob Collision – 877 (11.59%)

• Thomas Schellinger – 753 (9.95%)

• Frank Goodwin – 532 (7.03%)

Zipperer is a lock on the 98^th this November. His impressive showing, nearly 55% in a five-person field, is credit to his strength in the district. Zipperer is a former staff person for Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner, which clearly helped him in this primary.

State Assembly Races

State Senate Races