MARK PITSCH
608-252-6145
mpitsch@madison.com
A former Republican state senator known for his eccentric ways and conservative views is recruiting conservative candidates to challenge Milwaukee-area Democrats in their party's primary this fall.
The move will force Democrats, who hold 47 of 99 seats in the state Assembly, to defend the seats in usually uncontested primaries at a time when party officials hope to pick up the three seats Democrats need to win a majority in the chamber.
So far, eight challengers have registered to take on five Milwaukee-area Assembly Democrats in the September primary, according to the Government Accountability Board.
It's unclear how many of the challengers are connected with former Sen. Tom Reynolds' Clean Sweep Wisconsin. Reynolds, who did not return several calls seeking comment Wednesday, describes the group on its Web site as a political action committee aiming to "elect NEW people to state offices to make our government accountable and work for the people again."
But in a recent recorded phone message, Reynolds said he recruited primary challengers for Rep. Christine Sinicki, D-Milwaukee, and Rep. Tony Staskunas, D-West Allis, and was trying to find more.
"In Milwaukee here, we are working on a full slate of 12 candidates — eight on the north side and four on the south side — and we are at eight or nine candidates right now," Reynolds said in the message.
Sinicki, who said she learned of the group from another lawmaker last month, provided the State Journal with the message from Reynolds, which she said he left on her cell phone after she inquired about Clean Sweep through its Web site using a false name.
"They're pretty much trying to pull a fraud on the voters," she said, by running as Democrats but supporting an agenda often espoused by Republicans.
Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Madison, who is leading the Assembly election effort, said he expects voters in the districts to weigh the challengers' views against the incumbents' and vote for their preference.
"The proof will be when you have people running and talking about the agenda they're running on," he said.
Conservative platform
The Clean Sweep Web site, www.cleansweepwisconsin.com, promises to support potential candidates in exchange for their endorsing the group's agenda.
Its platform is reliably conservative: end tax and fee hikes, increase the use of high-deductible health insurance policies and corresponding health savings accounts, expand school choice, create a college tax credit, impose a moratorium on laws "interfering in the lives of Wisconsin citizens and Wisconsin businesses" and end "free welfare" for illegal immigrants.
Phil Landowski, of Milwaukee, one of Sinicki's two primary challengers, demurred when asked if he had been recruited by Reynolds. But he acknowledged he has talked to the former West Allis senator about his campaign.
Landowski's Web site includes positions similar to those of Clean Sweep. He calls for an end to tax and fee increases, more school choice and expansion of health-savings accounts. Landowski, who described himself as a Democrat, confirmed those positions in an interview Wednesday.
The 33-year-old graphic designer said he isn't getting help from Clean Sweep but said he welcomed assistance from groups that agree with his positions.
"The main issue is taxes," Landowski said. "Frankly, it's hard to live here and they keep spending more up in Madison. It's just crazy. People like me have had enough."
Sinicki wasn't buying it.
"It is Tom Reynolds' agenda," Sinicki said of Landowski's proposals. "He clearly is not a Democrat."
Steven Sutherland, of Cudahy, has also registered to run as a Democrat against Sinicki in the primary, according to the accountability board. He could not be reached for comment.
Staskunas' opponent, Josh Hoisington, of West Allis, didn't return a telephone call for comment.
But a flyer for Hoisington's campaign also lists positions that mirror those of Clean Sweep: an end to tax and fee increases, promotion of health-savings accounts, creating a "voucher-type educational tax credit" for parents to use at any public or private school, and a tax credit for payment of college debt.
"It's pretty much spot on," Staskunas said of the Hoisington's flyer.
Andrew Parker, one of three Democratic challengers for the seat held by Rep. Leon Young, D-Milwaukee, said in an interview that he is not affiliated with Reynolds or Clean Sweep. "That is so far to the right I cannot tell you," Parker said.
Parker, who ran against Young two years ago, said he thinks he can do a better job representing the district.
Unusual strategy
The challengers will force some Democrats who haven't had a primary challenge in years to defend their seats in the Sept. 9 partisan primary. The general election is Nov. 4.
Barry Burden, a UW-Madison political science professor, said he had not heard of a strategy like Reynolds' before.
He said it likely wouldn't work because primary voters are typically the most loyal to their parties and would know which candidates have party support.
But Staskunas said he and other Democrats will have to fight to get supporters to the polls for the primary.
"Turnout is really an important issue, and I need to make people understand they need to come out at the Democratic primary, and if they support me they need to vote for me," he said.
In addition to the Sinicki, Staskunas and Young races, challengers have registered to run against Milwaukee Democratic Reps. Barbara Toles and Annette Polly Williams, according to the accountability board.
And other Milwaukee Democrats said they expect challengers to file for the primary by the July 8 deadline.
"People have a right to run. Every two years we have to come back and ask our constituents to elect us again," Williams said. "But it is interesting that an extreme Republican who lives in West Allis has designs on Milwaukee districts, and especially African-American districts."
Rep. Tamara Grigsby, D-Milwaukee, said the area's lawmakers plan to meet later this week or early next week to discuss how to address Clean Sweep's activities.
"It could be a real issue for us and we're trying to strategize how to go against it," said Grigsby, who said she expects a primary challenge from a Clean Sweep-supported candidate.
Reynolds served one term in the Senate from 2002 to 2006. He was known for bucking his party's leadership at times and was a driving force behind eliminating automatic gas tax increases. A proponent of limited government, he also opposed abortion rights and gay marriage.
He was also an eccentric. Reynolds advocated raising the speed limit on Wisconsin's Interstates and even floated the idea of a privately owned Autobahn after he was ticketed for speeding. He once sent out a Christmas card with he and wife portraying Joseph and Mary.
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/local/293358
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