As you have probably figured out, 2012 is an election year and there does not seem to be a month where we are not heading to the polls. In case you are curious, over the next six months, there are four elections (May 8, June 5, August 14 and November 6). Each election will have an impact on the university, regardless of the outcome. From now until November, the State Relations Update will keep track of the results and let you know what is on tap next.
The next election May 8th is the Primary Election for the Gubernatorial Recall and the recall of four state senators. There are primaries for Governor and Lt. Governor on the Democratic side and only a primary for Governor in the Republican side. For the Democrats, Former Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, Secretary of State Doug LaFollete and State Senator Kathleen Vinehout will vie for the nomination to take on Governor Scott Walker who faces Arthur Kohl-Riggs. On the Lt. Governor side, the only the Democrats have a primary where Madison firefighter Mahlon Mitchell is pitted against Milwaukee private investigator Ira Robins.
The State Senate recalls feature current or former legislators running in three of the races with a recall organizer running in the fourth. None of the Republican senators up for recall have a primary on May 5th and will each face the winner of the Democratic primary which all feature token candidates against the better known candidate. In the recall of Sen. Terry Moulten (R- Eau Claire), former state assemblywoman Kristen Dexter is the likely opponent on June 5th. Running against in Sen. Scott Fitzgerald (R-Horicon) is recall organizer Lori Compas who is also expected to move on in Tuesday’s primary. In the Racine area, Sen. Van Wanngard (R-Racine) will likely face former state senator John Lehman. In the recall of former Sen. Pam Galloway (R-Medford), the Republican running in the place of Galloway, who resigned, is current State Assemblyman Jerry Petrowski (R-Marathon). The likely Democrat to facing Petrowski is current State Assemblywoman Donna Seidel (D-Wausau).
The election season also brings candidate visits to campus we welcome candidates of all parties to visit and learn more about UW Madison while our students, faculty and staff learn more about them. There are specific rules that govern how many visits each candidate gets, the location of the event and how it is sponsored. As a reminder, candidate fundraisers are not allowed on state property. If you get a request for a candidate visit, please forward that request on to the Office of State Relations and we will help coordinate the request.
Since the last update, a three members of the legislature have announced their intention to not seek reelection. Rep. Louis Molepske (D-Stevens Point) and Sen. Spencer Coggs (D-Milwaukee) announced they will not be on the ballot again for their respective offices. Rep. Elizabeth Coggs-Jones (D-Milwaukee) announced she will not run for reelection to the Assembly and will opt for a run for the State Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Spencer Coggs (D-Milwaukee).
Wisconsin Senate:
Sen. Spencer Coggs (D-Milwaukee) will not run for reelection this fall after being elected City of Milwaukee Treasurer on April 3, 2012.
Sen. Pam Galloway (R-Wausau) announced on March 16, 2012, that she would resign from the Senate the following day. Since a recall election was pending against her, the recall election on June 5, 2012, will choose her successor.
Sen. Jim Holperin (D-Conover) announced on March 23, 2012, that he is not running for reelection.
Wisconsin Assembly:
Rep. David Cullen (D-Milwaukee) is not expected to run for reelection this fall after being elected to the Milwaukee County Board on April 3, 2012.
Rep. Elizabeth Coggs (D-Milwaukee) has announced that she will run for the Senate seat being vacated by her cousin, Sen. Spencer Coggs (D-Milwaukee).
Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald (R-Horicon) is running for the United States Senate.
Rep. Tamara Grigsby (D-Milwaukee) announced on April 17, 2012, that she is not running for reelection.
Rep. Michelle Litjens (R-Oshkosh) announced on February 14, 2012, that she will not seek a second term in the Assembly.
Rep. Dan Meyer (R-Eagle River) announced on February 3, 2012, that he is not running for reelection.
Rep. Louis Molepske Jr. (D-Stevens Point) announced today that he is not running for reelection. His press release is attached.
Rep. Jerry Petrowski (R-Marathon) announced on March 20, 2012, that he is running for the Senate in the 29th District recall election.
Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Madison) is running for the Congress in the Second Congressional District, where US Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisconsin) is running for the United States Senate.
Rep. Mark Radcliffe (D-Black River Falls) announced via his Twitter account on Saturday evening, March 31, 2012, that he is not running for reelection.
Rep. Kelda Helen Roys (D-Madison) is running for Congress in the Second Congressional District, where US Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisconsin) is running for the United States Senate.
Rep. Donna Seidel (D-Wausau) announced on January 31, 2012, that she is running for the Senate in the 29th District recall election.
Rep. Dick Spanbauer (R-Oshkosh) announced on January 24, 2012, that he is not running for reelection.
Rep. Tony Staskunas (D-West Allis) announced on April 17, 2012, that he is not running for reelection.
Rep. Tom Tiffany (R-Hazelhurst) announced on March 29, 2012, that he is running for the Senate in the 12th Senate District, where Sen. Jim Holperin (D-Conover) is not running for reelection.
Rep. Barbara Toles (D-Milwaukee) announced informally on March 16, 2012, that she is not running for reelection.
Rep. Robert Turner (D-Racine) announced on March 28, 2012, that he is not running for reelection.
Rep. Karl Van Roy (R-Green Bay) announced on March 2, 2012, that he is not running for reelection.
Rep. Bob Ziegelbauer (I-Manitowoc) announced on January 6, 2012, that he is not running for reelection.
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