The Wisconsin Netroots are abuzz after Senator Feingold released a ‘message from Russ’ announcing he will not be running in 2012.
Given the post-State Senate recall environment, and the ramp up towards a recall of Governor Scott Walker himself, speculation has run rampant about who would lead the recall fight and run against Walker, now that Feingold has bowed out.
Below are a series of potential candidates whose names are being mentioned. Vote for your favorite (including write-ins) and explain why in comments!
Peter Barca
Barca is a Representative for the 64th District in the Wisconsin State Assembly, and the Democratic Minority Leader. His calm and passionate advocacy for the rule of law and denunciation of the Walker administration’s blatant breaking of the open meetings law sent shockwaves through the state and nation alike. He is also a former member of the U.S. Congress, serving from 1993-1995.
Tom Barrett
Barrett is the sitting Mayor of Milwaukee, and a former U.S House Representative for Wisconsin’s 5th congressional district from 1993-2003. In 2010 he ran for Governor against Scott Walker himself, losing 52 percent to 47 percent in a tough year for Democrats - the same margin as Feingold.
Jon Erpenbach
Erpenbach is a Wisconsin State Senator, representing the 27th district since 1999. He was the Democratic Minority Leader from 2003 to 2005, as well as a member of the “Wisconsin 14” who left the state to prevent a vote on Walker’s budget repair bill assaulting union rights.
Kathleen Falk
Falk was the County Executive of Dane County, Wisconsin from 1997 until 2011, and ran for Attorney General of Wisconsin in 2006. From 1983 through 1997 she also served as Assistant Attorney General and Public Intervenor in the Wisconsin Department of Justice.
Doug La Follette
La Follette is the sitting Secretary of State of Wisconsin, with an axe to grind against the Walker administration for the gutting of his office in his consolidation of power. He is an environmentalist who helped organize the first Earth Day, and co-founded Clean Wisconsin. His great-uncle was the revered "Fighting Bob" La Follette.
Chris Larson
Chris Larson was elected in 2011 to the Wisconsin Senate, representing the 7th District. He is a member of the “Wisconsin 14” who left the state to prevent a vote on Walker’s legislation stripping collective bargaining. Netroots leader Howie Klein refers to him as the “Progressive dream candidate & future presidential contender.”
Barbara Lawton
Lawton became the first woman in Wisconsin’s history to be elected Lieutenant Governor, and is considered a leading advocate for women in the workplace. In 2003 she launched an economic development initiative called "Wisconsin Women = Prosperity", and in 2007, she led the way on the Energy Independence and Climate Protection Resolution at the National Lieutenant Governors Association.
Dave Obey
Obey is a former U.S. Representative in northwestern Wisconsin's 7th congressional district. He served 21 consecutive terms, twice sitting as Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, before retiring in 2011 as the longest serving member of Congress in Wisconsin’s history.