Dems in Madison show little interest in fielding candidates

[HelenWheels]

My SIL was asked by the Marathon County Dems if he would run for State Senate against the incumbant Jerry Petrowski. SIL agreed and called Madison to tell them he was interested. Now keep in mind it has been almost impossible to get someone to run against Jerry.
Madison showed no enthusiasm and offered no help for SIL's campaign. Now Jerry will scamper home free. Looks like the Democratic Party of WI needs new leadership.

[elleng]

1. UGH!

[WhiskeyGrinder]

2. This late in the season, they probably figure a newbie without an established strategy isn't their

Last edited Sun May 20, 2018, 11:33 AM - Edit history (1)

best bet. Your SIL can take the next four years to build a network and determine the best strategy to victory.

[HelenWheels]

3. They have NO candidate for the Dems for this office

He currently is on the Marathon CO Board and has previously served as the Mar. Co. Democratic Chair. He is an excellent speaker and is fast on his feet.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

4. I'd guess the state party believes it makes more sense to put resources into a races it thinks it

can win rather than backing a late-breaking inexperienced candidate in an area that's been red for several cycles. Now would be the time to start building a war chest, assembling a strategy team and laying down a network for 2022.

[PackerBacker]

8. There IS a democrat on the ballot for this office

As stated earlier, there is a democrat candidate that has already filed, and people are out getting signatures for him.
I know who your SIL is, and my advice would be to run for Assembly 1st. Get to know people in the area better.
If he ran for the Senate, he would lose, and wouldn't get backing because it is needed for the seats that have a chance in winning. Seats that could actually turn back to our side so we can take over the Senate. Many polls have been done, and the 29th is not winnable with Jerry in the seat. People from all parties vote for him. Good luck to your SIL in the future, but his time is not now.

[milestogo]

5. Define what you mean by "Madison" please.

This is a national messageboard.

[MineralMan]

6. The state, WI, was included in the original post.

"Looks like the Democratic Party of WI needs new leadership. "

Madison, WI. Of course, you had to read the entire two-paragraph post to discover that, so maybe some people missed it.

[PackerBacker]

7. There is already a Democratic Candidate on the ballot

Maybe you've not seen it, but there is a democrat candidate that has filed against Jerry for the Senate seat, so he DOES have an opponent. Us Dems need to focus on the seats that are attainable. Madison is not going to spend their money in the 29th Senate, because they do not have a chance against Jerry. They DO however, have a chance to take over 3 Senate seats in other areas. That's where we need to focus our resources. Let's be smart. I feel sorry for anyone who would try to run against Jerry - he's too good of a guy and it would be just a waste of time spending resources against him. Let's focus on the races we CAN win!!!

[dembotoz]

9. they have been very responisve in my neck of the woods..milw burbs....

thinking the best we have ever seen..(sadly been around for a long time)

nearby county had a candidate drop from the sky late last week and the state seemed to have him up and running quickly.

[Hortensis]

10. Helen, it's late May. I don't know when your SIL was

contacted, but presumably there's still time to get on the ballot. But at this point the the party would be inviting him to have "a name" on the ballot. An honor because any brand-new unknown candidate who wanted to run for election in 2020 would do well to start now. It's very understandable, though, if WI Democrats don't feel that limited funds should be invested in someone who might never run seriously. But it was an invitation for your SIL to invest in himself.

After all, like start-up businesses, candidates get some support from power centers and investors lined up, qualify for the ballot, and organize their campaigns before opening day. Their progress in this helps party leaders evaluate the viability of their candidacies.

Most serious candidates did all this at least early in 2017, some starting well before. Some delay for various reasons but still present candidacies that are up and running when the gun goes off.

Your SIL obviously already has some connection to be invited to consider racing. Is he considering wading right in in 2019? Maybe get even more involved with the party this year, make some more contacts?