The plot thickens and the cast of characters is extended in WI-8, which will be an open seat in 2006 what with
Mark Green having all but announced his intentions to run for Governor against incumbent Democrat
Jim Doyle.
Today Wisconsin Assembly Speaker
John Gard (R-Peshtigo/Sun Prairie/Land of the Right-Wing Moonbats/All of the Above) announced his formation of an exploratory committee for the 8th District Congressional seat (hm... guess he'll have to move his residence back into the 8th District, then). This puts him up against State Rep. Terri McCormick (R-Fox River Mall) in the primary, and word is that former Green Bay mayor Paul Jadin is sniffing around at a run too, as are State Reps Steve Wieckert (R-Appleton) and Frank Lasee (R-Bellevue by way of Jerksville)
On the side of the forces of light, Jamie Wall, a former WI Dept. of Commerce official, declared recently, and is a bright, personable guy with a good story and extensive personal roots in the area. State Sen. Dave Hansen (D-Green Bay), who's widely viewed as the Dem with the clearest shot of taking back the seat, has said unequivocally that he's committed to serving out his term current term through 2008. So he's thinking about it. There are other whispers in the wind, but no shoes have dropped as of yet. Can I mix any other metaphors for you while I'm at it?
This has been a reliably Republican seat for decades, but it'd be nice to take a decent shot at it. The Rep side doesn't seem insurmountable -- Gard is reasonably well despised and McCormick is more or less a nonentity outside of her immediate area. Although I wouldn't put down any bets on it right now, this is not utterly unwinnable.
At the very least, it'd be nice to see more of an effort than has been made in the last three cycles and maybe, say, break above 35% for a change.
And at the very least, one way or another Gard will be out of the Assembly. Silver linings and all that.