"Co-Governors Vie for Republicans' Hearts and Minds
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“CO-GOVERNORS” VIE FOR REPUBLICANS’ HEARTS AND MINDS JEFF MAYERS ot since 1986 To some have Republican activists, N Republicans the governor’s pri- had this kind of choice mary in September when it comes to the ’06 to decide Doyle’s governor’s race. All general election those years of opponent, along Republican incum- with the primary to bents took a lot of fun decide an opponent away from Republican to Attorney General primary voters and Peg Lautenschlager, convention-going is a way to keep the activists. After troops activated by Tommy Thompson the Bush re-election beat three others effort fresh and (remember Jonathan engaged. Barry, George Watts, To other GOP- Albert Lee Wiley and ers, it’s a real, Joseph Ortiz, Jr.?), he nationally important went on to defeat first-term Democratic shot at taking back a governor’s office that has Governor Tony Earl and then secure a record been in Republican hands for most of the pre- four gubernatorial election wins. Scott vious quarter century. Republicans will be try- McCallum, his successor, faced only token ing to take back an office they have held for 22 opposition in his primary during his election of the previous 26 years. The last time a attempt in 2002, before falling to Democrat Jim Democratic governor was RE-elected was back Doyle in a race that included Tommy’s broth- in 1974, when Pat Lucey did it. Then came er, Ed, the Libertarian. Democrat Martin Schreiber (completing In 2006, activists, who will pick between Lucey’s second term), Republican Lee Green Bay-area Congressman Mark Green and Sherman Dreyfus (one term), Democrat Earl Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker, are (one term), Republican Thompson (four relishing the choice. A handful of activists terms), McCallum (completing Thompson’s even think somebody else—like 2004 U.S. last term), and now Doyle, in his first term that Senate candidate Tim Michels, a millionaire began in 2003. businessman—could jump into the race. But for now, insiders are focused on the Walker vs. Jeff Mayers is president of WisPolitics.com and Green contest. WisBusiness.com in Madison. Wisconsin Interest 21 To those in the Republican trenches, it’s a It should be noted that Lee Dreyfus, who tough but inviting choice. “Party members served from 1979-1983, was a native of want co-governors, one this week, the other Milwaukee, but was a resident of Stevens the next,’’ remarked Kim Babler, the chair of Point when elected governor. the Republican 2nd Congressional District cau- In addition to the historical hurdles, Green cus that, like a lot of other Republicans, hosted and Walker have modern political issues to a joint appearance by Green and Walker. contend with. “Rarely do you have evenly matched candi- dates. Refreshing.’’ Democrats have attempted to tie Green to the difficulties of embattled conservative But the winner will have to take out a dis- House leader Tom DeLay. Green also will have ciplined and well-known incumbent, who has to answer to a broader electorate on politically proven to be a formidable fundraiser. Doyle touchy votes, ranging from Social Security to got to the governor’s office after serving three tax cuts to Iraq. terms as the state’s attorney general, and has never lost a statewide election. In addition, Milwaukee Democrats are doing their best they’ll have to overcome historical trends and to monkey-wrench Walker’s bid, highlighting the negatives of their respective offices to county budget problems, his failed bonding move from regional politician to the office of solution, and a park system said to be in governor. decline. The county board is increasingly at odds with Walker, and local media appear to Twentieth century Wisconsin elections for be more critical of the county executive since governor have not been kind to sitting con- his 2004 re-election victory. While Walker is gressmen or politicians closely identified with trying to use his short tenure as county execu- Milwaukee. tive to show he’s ready to run state govern- According to the Legislative Reference ment, opponents are throwing mud at the Bureau, the last person elected governor who record he aims to promote. had previously served in Congress was Robert The candidates M. La Follette, Sr., who served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1885-1891, and The Colorado-born Walker, who turns 38 was governor from 1901-1906. Previous to La on November 2, was elected to the state Follette, Jeremiah Rusk and Cadwallader Assembly in a June 1993 special election before Washburn also were elected governor after vaulting onto the statewide scene by winning serving in Congress. an open race for Milwaukee County executive on April 30, 2002, in the midst of a pension Several governors served in Congress after scandal—becoming the first Republican elect- leaving the governor’s office. They include ed to that position. He filled out Tom Ament’s Robert M. La Follette, Sr. (Senate), John Blaine term and was re-elected to a full four-year (Senate), Vern Thomson (House), and Gaylord term in spring 2004. Nelson (Senate). The Boston-born Green, who turns 45 on The last person from Milwaukee who was June 1, is an attorney who was elected to the elected as governor was Julius Heil, a German- Assembly in 1992, serving through 1998. He born Republican who served from 1939-1943. won his ’98 congressional bid, unseating a one- This does not include Schreiber, who was act- term Democratic incumbent, and has been re- ing governor from 1977-1979. Several other elected since. persons from Milwaukee served as governor prior to Heil, including Fred Zimmerman, Both have similar philosophies. Because of Francis McGovern, George Peck, and Harrison the similar issue stances, activists are looking a Ludington. lot at the personalities of the two candidates 22 Spring 2005 and their campaigns. Green often comes off as a That goes to a central analysis of this race: softer sell; Walker comes off as more ambitious. both Walker and Green still are largely region- al candidates. With one coming from metro Walker declared early, in January, signaling Milwaukee and one from Green Bay, Walker the need to raise his statewide profile and the and Green would seem to have a handle on money necessary for a statewide run. Green was support in their respective eastern Wisconsin’s more traditional, waiting until the spring to for- population centers. But outstate they’re still mally declare a race he has been running in many getting known. ways for many years (just look at his Lincoln Day speaking circuit calendar and his campaign One GOP district chair told warchest of some $1.3 million). In the May 2003 WisPolitics.com before the state convention, WisPolitics.com straw poll at the state GOP con- I don’t feel either has a base established in vention, Green outpaced Walker and Assembly western Wisconsin,” “Obviously when I Speaker John Gard. Green had been the most talk to the Milwaukee County people they upfront about his gubernatorial ambitions at that are very much behind Walker and point point, but he laughed off the importance of this out that we need a candidate who will do early straw poll. “If a straw well in Milwaukee. poll meant something, my Similarly Green’s 8th good friend Tom Barrett District people are very would be governor,” joked much behind him. Green at the time, referring Both candidates are to the former Democratic Both candidates are looking to nail down congressman’s victory in broad grassroots support the 2001 and 2002 looking to nail down away from their home Democratic Convention turf. WisPolitics.com straw broad grassroots In western Wisconsin, polls. support away from their the competitors will have to This year’s conven- work the grassroots and tion gave both campaigns home turf. legislative representatives an opportunity to show from Districts 3 and 7, their stuff to activists who which both send may not have seen them Democrats to Washington. at the various Lincoln Green’s campaign feels he has an edge Day events around the state. It was a prelude because he has worked on constituent issues to next year’s convention endorsement that will have an appeal in those districts process—something brought back by party where farming, forestry, and tourism are sta- leaders in part to hype attendance at the con- ple industries. “Mark really will have a great ventions. advantage in those areas based on what he’s The straw poll, reports on the convention, been able to do in Congress,” says one Green and the first-half-of-the-year money reports spokesman. will give insiders an indication of how the race Green has toured the western part of the is going. The year-end reports will be even state often over the years, and his campaign is more telling. promising more of the same over the next year But until the convention, it looked to be an and a half. even match. “Organizationally, they’re a draw. Walker used the April 15 tax-filing day to On the stump, they’re a draw,’’ said one strate- highlight his penny-pinching ways with stops gist, who gives the ultimate edge to Walker in Green Bay, Madison, Milwaukee, Eau because of the metro Milwaukee presence. Claire, and La Crosse. Critics called it a belated Wisconsin Interest 23 attempt to make up for the lack of a traditional “If the vote were held today, I’d say Green, cross-state announcement tour; Walker sup- but Walker’s so strong in southeast Wisconsin, porters were quick to point out their “rolling I’d say it’s a horse race,” one party insider con- announcement tour’’ has taken the county cluded.