WI-01: Milwaukee J-S Profiles the Candidates

In Wisconsin's 1st District, in the southeast part of the state, there is a 5-way Democratic primary on September 12th.  Everyone (except for those 5) is intimidated by Bush rubberstamper Paul Ryan's warchest, and there is no Party anointed candidate, so this primary race is being run on ideas and old fashioned shoe leather.  The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel profiles the race:

All of the five candidates say they believe they have the ability to unseat the four-term Wisconsin Republican.

Certainly none of them has even close to the kind of money that Ryan has in his coffers, an amount approaching $2 million. Nor do they have the name recognition - all are first-time candidates except Jeffrey Thomas, who has made six unsuccessful runs for the job.

More on the candidates below the fold...

Ruth Santa Cruz Bradley:

Ruth SantaCruz Bradley said her faith sustains her and will help her through the election.

"I believe in myself," said Bradley in contemplating her chances against Ryan. "Faith is what got me into this race and faith will sustain me. . . . I've made myself available to God. If he wants me there, I'll be there."

Don Hall:

Don Hall said it was the 2004 election results, with a close race in Wisconsin for president but an easy victory for Ryan, that prompted him to run.

"I intend to make it a contest," Hall said of running against Ryan. Hall said he would be far more responsive to constituents than Ryan. He points to his experience working in the social services industry and advocating for people.

Mike Hebert (no website):

Mike Hebert, who calls himself "a working man's candidate," said he is disappointed in the direction the country has been going. Too many "suits" are running the country, Hebert said. He thinks he would better represent the people.

"We can do better," Hebert said of the nation and Ryan's record. "We're going in the wrong direction."

Steven Herr:

Steve Herr said Ryan is vulnerable because of Ryan's unfettered support of the Bush administration and his failure to listen to constituents. It's not about money, Herr said, it's about votes.

"I'm going to listen to the people, not campaign contributors," Herr said. Herr said he also brings a broad range of experiences, including running businesses, to the elected position.

Jeff Thomas

This is the seventh time that Thomas has run for the 1st Congressional seat. Thomas says his time has come.

"People are at their wits' end at what Congress has been doing and they want to send those people home," Thomas said. He said his experiences as a physician make him uniquely qualified for the job.

For reference, Jeff Thomas was the Democratic nominee the last three general elections, and never got more than 34% of the vote.  He is why Paul Ryan has accumulated a large warchest.  But his time has come!  This time for sure!

All in all, it was a good article about an unsung race.  It's interesting because this is a 100% grassroots and shoe leather campaign.  I've been working on the Steven Herr campaign, and it's been alot of meeting people at county fairs and festivals, working the crowds in busy downtowns, and working with local Democratic activists.  It's what campaigning should be about, although the worst of political campaigning is what awaits the Democratic winner: Paul Ryan and his $1.6 million.