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4/14/2010
Rep. Nelson pondering a step up in the world
In an audio interview with WisPolitics, Rep. Tom Nelson (Dem – Kaukauna), like every other politician out there, says “people have approached” him, asking him to run for Lieutenant Governor. Yeah, I’m sure it always happens that way. But of course, at the moment, Nelson has eight hectic last-days-of-the-session in front of him and wouldn’t dare put his personal ambition before the interest of the people of his District or the wonderful people in the State of Wisconsin. So he skirts the issue, saying “there’s a time and place for everything” and “Right now my job is to do whatever we can to turn this economy around and put people back to work.” Yeah, right. Ok Tom. Stay busy.
Last Friday’s WisPolitics Report gave us the lowdown on Nelson’s plotting his next move:
The Assembly majority leader is poised to jump into the ever expanding race for lt. guv. And while some see it as a good move for the ambitious lawmaker from Kaukauna, others say he won’t be missed by his own caucus, where he seems to have fallen out of favor. Nelson has been known as an aggressive campaigner, and he’s won big margins in a GOP-leaning seat the last couple of times out. Republicans keep their fingers crossed that Nelson will get into the Dem lt. guv primary, assuming they can pick up the Assembly seat with a good candidate and a great year for the GOP, helping them inch toward retaking the majority.
Some insiders say the move will be a good one for Nelson on a couple of fronts. One, it’s getting time to move up or out, and there aren’t many paths to bigger things for him in the Assembly. Two, Nelson seems to have worn out his welcome in the Assembly Dem caucus. Some caucus members were peeved about some of his fundraising tactics and note Nelson wouldn’t publicly support Speaker Mike Sheridan following disclosures of his relationship with a payday lending industry lobbyist. Things are so strained that some Dems see Nelson’s possible departure as addition by subtraction -- so long as they can still hold onto the majority next year.
Good riddance Tom? And… what comes after L.G.?
Current Dem candidates for Lieutenant Governor include
Current GOP L.G. candidates include:
What does a L.G. run do for the 5th? Nelson’s run for Lieutenant Governor would provide a great opportunity for Republicans to take back that 5th Assembly District seat. Previous years’ polling show the 5th to be a Republican district - not by much – but yup, extending from more liberal, blue collar Kaukauna north through conservative Wrightstown and on its far end, a few wards in the City of Green Bay.
Now in his third term in the 5th Assembly District, Nelson would be not impossible to beat in his home turf, but tough. He continues to be a phenomenal door knocker and coffee klatch guy. As the Majority Leader, he must be extra busy this year but hey, what else does this young single guy have to do?
Whether he runs for Lieutenant Governor or for re-election in the 5th Assembly District, Nelson will have some GOP competition.
In the 5th, Hobart real estate agent Craig Fletcher declared his candidacy for the Republican nomination way back before Christmas – he’s campaigning hard and is serious about capturing the Republican nomination – and then of course, about beating Nelson or whatever Dem is on the ballot.
Van den Broek Town Chairman, Outagamie County Supervisor and Tea Party organizer Jim Steineke challenged Nelson the last time around. Word has it that even with a growing family (a third little one born last December), his wife is encouraging hubby to take another run at it – and that Jim is making the rounds, a bit more serious than just putting out feelers.
Lastly, according to WisPolitics on April 2, David Landwehr, a Republican from Hobart, registered with the GAB to run in the 5th.
Of course, all or none of these GOP guys may or may not end up filing nomination signatures in July. Either way, the 5th is starting to look very interesting to Republicans around here - and in the capitol.
Jo Egelhoff, FoxPolitics.net
COMMENTS

babs (Wed Apr 14 13:30:28 2010)
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