wispolitics.com 2010 election preview. about wispolitics.com 10 years old/come celebrate with us on...
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WisPolitics.com2010 Election Preview
About WisPolitics.com• 10 years old/come celebrate with us on Nov.
17 and hear Politico co-founder Jim VandeHei• Non-partisan online news service• Public web site at www.wispolitics.com• E-mail subscriber service – FREE 2-WEEK TRIAL• Sister sites: WisOpinion.com,
WisBusiness.com and MKEpolitics.com• Monthly newsmaker luncheons in Madison
Format• Overview of top elections and political
environment• In a word …it’s ``ugly’’ for incumbents, and the
party in power• Finish with Questions from you
Top federal races• U.S. Senate …Incumbent Dem Russ
Feingold vs. GOP nominee Ron Johnson, Oshkosh millionaire businessman. Feingold’s toughest race s. 1998 v. Neumann.
• 8th CD – Dem Steve Kagen of Appleton going for third two-year term vs. Reid Ribble, Kaukauna roofer.
• 7th CD – Dave Obey retiring after 40 years …Stevens Point state Sen. Julie Lassa (D) v. fmr. Ashland Co. DA Sean Duffy.
Top State Races• GOVERNOR• Scott Walker v. Tom Barrett• Takes over for Dem Jim Doyle after 8 years• Faces a budget deficit of close to $3 billion
Other Statewide Races• Attorney General: GOP incumbent J.B. Van
Hollen vs. former DNR secretary Scott Hassett.
• Lt. gov... Retiring Rep. Tom Nelson, D-Kaukauna, V. former TV newswoman Rebecca Kleefisch.
Race for the Legislature• Legislature now controlled by Dems• First all Dem statehouse since 1980s• Most insiders betting that will change • Senate now 18-15 Dems; about half the seats are up. • GOP hoping to take four freshmen Dem incumbents – Sens. Kathleen
Vinehout (v. Ed Thompson) in western Wis., Jim Sullivan (v. Rep. Leah Vukmir) in West Allis, Pat Kreitlow (v. former Rep. Terry Moulton) in Eau Claire area and John Lehman (v. Van Wanggaard) in the Racine area.
• Dems hope to take GOP seat held by retiring Sen. Alan Lasee in Green Bay-Door Co. and knock off Sen. Dale Schultz of Richland Center.
• Assembly now 51-46-2. All 99 up, but only a handful are really in play. Jeff Wood, the Legislature’s sole independent until conservative Dem Bob Ziegelbauer bolted his party, isn’t running for re-election and his Chippewa Valley seat, the 67th, will be one of the deciding races.
• Other top races for seats held by retiring legislators …Republicans Brett Davis and Don Friske plus Democrats Tom Nelson and Mary Hubler.
The Political Environment• Ugly …recession, high jobless rate, first mid-term
election for the current president, Tea Party movement, turmoil in markets.
• Incumbents beware• Most incumbents in D.C. and Wisconsin are Dems, so
they have most to lose after two UP cycles.• Obey surprise• Redistricting• Presidential election 2012. Obama a big winner in
Wisconsin in 2008, but a lot has changed.
