Wisconsin: Ex-Legislator Won't Challenge Lassa For Obey's Seat

Some good news for Wisconsin state Sen. Julie Lassa (D), her party's choice for the seat of retiring Rep. David Obey (D): former state Sen. Kevin Shibilski has decided against challenging her in the September primary.

Shibilski, who's long been interested in running for Congress, told CQ Politics that he received plenty of encouragement to run and arrived at his decision reluctantly. He announced his plans three days after Lassa announced her candidacy with the backing of Wisconsin Democratic officials, whom Shibilski noted are trying to avoid a contested primary.

But Shibilski said that a multi-candidate primary would be "wonderfully therapeutic" and in keeping with Wisconsin's progressive traditions. He said he would have been a strong candidate, noting his ties to hunting, fishing and tourism groups in the expansive northwestern 7th district as well as his ability to self-fund a campaign.

"I thought, as did others, that a robust primary would revitalize and energize the Democrats going into November, but clearly there are a lot of powers that be that want to avoid a primary at any cost, and they think that's a better strategy for Democrats," Shibilski said.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/eyeon2010/2010/05/wisconsin-ex-legislator-wont-c.html