Candidates set for November state elections

In addition to the race for president, Wisconsin voters will get to choose Congressional, legislative and county candidates in the Nov. 4 election.

U.S. Rep. Tom Petri (R–Fond du Lac) has two Democratic challengers for his Sixth Congressional District seat, Roger Kittleson of Lomira and Mark Wollum of Beaver Dam. The Eighth Congressional District race will be a repeat of the 2006 race between Rep. Steve Kagen (D–Appleton) and Republican John Gard of Suamico, a race won by Kagen two years ago.

Two Northeast Wisconsin Senate races are for open seats. The 12th Senate District race to succeed former Sen. Roger Breske (D–Eland), who now is the state railroad commissioner, features former Democratic Rep. James Holperin of Conover and Republican Tom Tiffany of Hazelhurst. The 18th Senate District race to succeed retiring Sen. Carol Roessler (R–Oshkosh), who is now the administrator of the state Department of Revenue Division of State and Local Finance, includes two Republicans — Winnebago County Sheriff Michael Brooks and Randy Hopper of Fond du Lac — plus Democrat Jessica King of Oshkosh and Libertarian Jake Wesenberg of Oshkosh.

In the 20th Senate District, incumbent Sen. Glenn Grothman (R–West Bend) has a Republican primary opponent, Jarrett Wiesolek of Cedarburg, plus independent Clyde Winter of Grafton. In the 24th Senate District, incumbent Sen. Julie Lassa (D–Stevens Point) will face Republican Tom Kimmet of Vesper. In the 30th Senate District, incumbent Sen. Dave Hansen (D–Green Bay) is opposed by Republican Chad Fradette of Green Bay.

Sens. Robert Cowles (R–Green Bay) and Luther Olsen (R–Ripon) are unopposed in the 2nd and 14th Senate districts, respectively.

Northeast Wisconsin Assembly contests are highlighted by two races to succeed retiring incumbents. In the 53rd Assembly District, one of five Republicans — Jacob Burns of Omro, Mike Christianson of Oshkosh, Mike Hatch of Fond du Lac, Richard Spanbauer of Oshkosh, and Cecil Streeter of Oshkosh — will face Democrat Jeff Mann of Oshkosh to succeed retiring Rep. Carol Owens (R–Oshkosh). In the 57th Assembly District, the race to succeed retiring Rep. Steve Wieckert (R–Appleton) includes two Republicans, Jo Egelhoff of Appleton and Peter Stueck of Appleton, and Democrat Penny Bernard Schaber of Appleton.

In the 1st Assembly District, incumbent Rep. Garey Bies (R–Sister Bay) has two Democratic challengers, Christopher Baeb of Luxemburg and Dick Skare of Fish Creek. Rep. Frank Lasee (R–Green Bay) has three Democratic challengers for his 2nd Assembly District seat, Lee Brocher of Two Rivers, Kevin Garthwaite of De Pere, and Ted Zigmunt of Francis Creek. Rep. Al Ott (R–Forest Junction) will face Democrat Justin Krueger of Combined Locks in the 3rd Assembly District.

Rep. Phil Montgomery (R–Green Bay) will face Democrat Sam Dunlop of De Pere in the 4th Assembly District. Rep. Tom Nelson (D–Kaukauna) will face Republican Jim Steineke in the 5th Assembly District. In the 6th Assembly District, Rep. Gary Tauschen (R–Bonduel) will face Democrat John Powers of Wittenberg.

In the 26th Assembly District, incumbent Rep. Terry Van Akkeren (D–Sheboygan) has two Republican challengers, Job Hou-Seye of Sheboygan and Alex Pieper of Kohler, plus independent Colin Nelson of Burlington. Rep. Steve Kestell (R–Elkhart Lake) will face Democrat Bob Cox of Sheboygan in the 27th Assembly District.

In the 36th Assembly District, Rep. Jeffrey Mursau (R–Crivitz) will face one of two Democrats, James Crawford of Crandon and Stan Gruszynski of Porterfield, a former state representative and congressional candidate. Incumbent Rep. Kevin Petersen (R–Waupaca) will face Democrat Kevin Kuehl of Waupaca in the 40th Assembly District. In the 41st Assembly District, Rep. Joan Ballweg (R–Markesan) will face Democrat Scott Milheiser of Fremont. Rep. J.A. “Doc” Hines (R–Oxford) will face Democrat Fred Clark of Baraboo in the 42nd Assembly District.

Rep. John Townsend (R–Fond du Lac) has a Republican challenger, Scott Matthew of Fond du Lac, and a Democratic challenger, Jerry Keifenheim of Fond du Lac, for his 52nd Assembly District seat. Rep. Gordon Hintz (D–Oshkosh) faces Republican Mark Reiff of Oshkosh in the 54th Assembly District. Rep. Dean Kaufert (R–Neenah) faces Democrat Mark Westphal of Neenah in the 55th Assembly District. In the 56th Assembly District, Rep. Roger Roth (R–Grand Chute) will face Democrat Susan Garcia Franz of Neenah.

In the 59th Assembly District, Rep. Daniel LeMahieu (R–Cascade) has a Republican opponent, Karl McCarty of Campbellsport. Rep. Louis Molepske (D–Stevens Point) faces Republican Daron Jensen of Stevens Point in the 71st Assembly District.

Rep. Jim Soletski (D–Green Bay) faces Republican Tony Theisen of Green Bay in the 88th Assembly District. Rep. John Nygren (R–Marinette) faces Democrat Randy Koehn of Marinette in the 89th Assembly District. Rep. Karl Van Roy (R–Green Bay) faces Democrat Lou Ann Weix of Green Bay in the 90th Assembly District.

Rep. Bob Ziegelbauer (D–Manitowoc), the Manitowoc County executive, is unopposed in the 25th Assembly District.

There will also be four contested district attorney elections this fall. Marinette County District Attorney Brent DeBord (R–Peshtigo) has one Republican opponent, Al Chaplin of Marinette, and one Democratic challenger, Allen Brey of Marinette. Fond du Lac County District Attorney Michael O’Rourke (D–Fond du Lac) is opposed by Republican Dan Kaminsky of Fond du Lac. Green Lake County District Attorney Winn Collins (R–Berlin) is opposed by Republican Scott Ceman of Oshkosh. Menominee–Shawano County District Attorney Gregory Parker (R–Clintonville) is opposed by Republican Mary Harper of Beaver Dam.

Primary elections in the Sixth Congressional District, the 18th and 20th Senate districts, and the 1st, 2nd, 26th, 36th, 52nd, 53rd, 57th and 59th Assembly districts, and in Green Lake, Marinette, Menominee and Shawano counties will be held Sept. 8. The Nov. 4 election also includes county partisan offices, including sheriff, district attorney, county clerk, county treasurer, clerk of circuit courts and register of deeds.

Maps courtesy Government Accountability Board.