Jessica King (D-Oshkosh), currently on the Oshkosh Common Council, has already thrown in her hat and has area Democrats lined up behind her. Peg Lautenschlager is supporting Jessica King, and that carries a lot of weight around here. King will already have a time and money advantage against a Republican opponent as well.
What about the Republicans? Sheriff Mike Brooks (left) is the name thrown around most frequently. Whether Brooks had considered running for Carol Owens open Assembly seat or not is unknown, but the State Senate seat of Roessler is a much bigger catch for Brooks.Roessler's Senate District consists of the 52nd, 53rd, and 54th Assembly Districts.
The 52nd is held by Republican John Townsend of Fond du Lac. Would he be thinking about stepping up to the State Senate now that the Republicans are a minority in the State Assembly? Townsend is up there in age, and may be considering retiring himself. Fond du Lac however could turn out any number of Republicans that might vie for the seat.The 53rd AD is open with Carol Owens retirement, and Republican candidates for her seat have been entering and exiting the race too fast to keep track of. A Democrat even entered and exited that race. The 53rd is a tough nut - LuAnn Bird in 2004 made a play at Owens as a Democrat and got close but not nearly close enough to consider the race "winnable". It seems likely that the Democrats won't run in the 53rd, and instead (wisely) put their resources on the State Senate race with King.
One thing we should look forward to - based on the Hintz - Pung-Leschke race in the 54th in 06 this Senate seat is going to have a LOT of outside money thrown at it. Republicans lost the Assembly in 06, and are only three seats from loosing the State Senate. Roessler's retirement makes this race a key race for both the Democrats and Republicans.
Who do you think might run? Who do you think will win?
19 comments:
"Townsend is up there in age, and may be considering retiring himself."
There's an understatement. Have you seen this guy debate? I have. If people think John McCain is confused, they ain't seen nothing yet.
I'm not sure Townsend could survive a run at this level. And I mean physically.
Between this and the 53rd, maybe Oshkosh blogging will raise from the "dead." I can see Ron's story already. There will be a picture of zombies.
I sure do like Zombies!
I can almost picture the Carol Owens Zombie now...
I'd like to see Tony Palmeri challenge King in a Dem primary.
I don't know if we want to establish common council as a gateway office more than it already is.
Name one member of the Oshkosh Common Council who ever advance to the state legislature.
I hear ya on Townsend. I have fallen asleep during his debates, if you want to call it that. The guy I am hoping to see run someday and send Townsend into retirement is a solid conservative lawyer that works in Fond du Lac, Sam Kaufman. I have used him on business matters and have had opportunies to discuss State issues with him, this guy is top notch. He would definately be a fresh strong conservative voice in Madison, if they could get him to run for the 18th District we would have a great asset.
Is there anyone out there, regardless of office held or not held, regaqrdless of political party, that has the stones that would serve the 18th well in Madison? I have a couple of ideas, but want to hear others.
My husband and I were just talking last night about Carol retiring, and how glad we were that she was. We also discussed how we thought it would be nice if our attorney Sam Kaufman would represent the Fond du Lac and Oshkosh areas in Madison. He was so helpful to us when we had legal issues with our neighbor. I recall discussing with him while we were waiting for a meeting the issues of Doyle raising taxes and fees to cover the budgment and I recall how solid he was against it. Wonderful man and a pleasure to work with.
Sam Kaufman has just entered the building
Sam Kaufman has just entered the building.
"Name one member of the Oshkosh Common Council who ever advance to the state legislature."
My point was more that there are at least a couple (I won't name them) people on the council who seem to have aspirations for higher offices. I'm concerned that they are more interested in that than the city.
The Common Council is a grave yard for political aspirants. At any given meeting you're alienating half of the people whose vote you will be seeking for that higher office. Anyone who runs for council with an eye on a higher office is a political fool.
"Anyone who runs for council with an eye on a higher office is a political fool."
Maybe so. All the more reason...
I hope that people who post on this site know that the 'Oshkosh Politics' blog site offers it's subscribers to more of the gotcha-type political commentary, as well as a plethora of flippancy and innuendo. I think there is a difference on what these folks here are trying to provide???
*********************FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*************************
Lakin for State Senate
Tim Lakin
(920)929-8580
Fax (920)924-0707
TJL75@aol.com
Fond du Lac Business owner and City Councilman to run for 18th State Senate seat.
Fond du Lac, WI 03-19-08
Tim Lakin has announced his candidacy for the 18th District Senate seat in Fond du Lac and Winnebago Counties as a Republican candidate. Mr. Lakin is a life long resident of Fond du Lac and currently sits on the Fond du Lac City Council. Tim is the President of T.J.L. Inc. which has owned and operated The Main Pub and Lakin’s Lawn Service for the past 12 Years. He has made the decision to run for the 18th District seat after much thought and discussions with Family, Friends and Business associates. “I have truly enjoyed the past 3 years serving the citizens of Fond du Lac on City Council and look forward to using the tools that I have learned to help the citizens of the 18th District along with the Citizens of Wisconsin”.
Tim Lakin has served on the City Council in Fond du Lac for the Past 3 years, He is currently the President of the Fond du Lac County Tavern League, He is a board member of the Fond du Lac Athletic Booster Club, Has served on the Fond du Lac Redevelopment Authority and currently a member of the Advisory Parking and Traffic committee, serves as a member of the Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership and is a Board member of the Fond du Lac Convention and Visitors Bureau.
For additional information or interviews please contact Tim Lakin at (920)929-8580
# # #
"The 52nd is held by Republican John Townsend of Fond du Lac. Would he be thinking about stepping up to the State Senate now that the Republicans are a minority in the State Assembly?"
Last time I checked the Republican's were in the majority in the State ASSEMBLY and a MINORITY in the State Senate...
My mistake!
Although maybe what I should have said was "now that the Republicans will soon be a minority in the state assembly..."
Which is a question in and of itself - can the Republicans hold their diminishing MAJORITY in the state assembly?
Ronald Kane Hardy said...
can the Republicans hold their diminishing MAJORITY in the state assembly?
I hope not and I doubt they will be in the majority after the Nov. election. I think that is why Roessler retired... it is no fun being in the minority when you have been in the majority for so long!
"I think that is why Roessler retired... it is no fun being in the minority when you have been in the majority for so long!"
This is simply not true. Carol has been a public servant for 26 years in both the assembly and senate. She has fought for her values and has concluded that this is her time to retire.
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