Kramer vs. Jones, the correction website

State Representative Bill Kramer, in response to Ruth Page Jones' last-minute campaign mailers, has put up a special page on his website correcting the falsehoods in Jones' mailed hit pieces. I think the hardest-hitting attack she has used is the $400,000 the Waukesha School District had to raise taxes last year because of the state budget battle delay. Kramer goes into a lengthy explanation in response:

Her assertion:
"For example, my opponent stood by and did nothing while the last state budget raised Waukesha school taxes by $400,000 to provide a $2 million rebate to Brookfield taxpayers."
Reality:
It's not that I did nothing; the compromise budget was a bad deal. I voted against it. It borrowed too much, spent too much, relied on transfers and gimmicks - including the theft of money from the Injured Patients and Families Compensation Fund - and relied on revenue projections that didn't consider the current economic downtown. By September, most of us knew that those projections were not going to hold up. The budget passed in October.

When we passed the GOP budget in July, the numbers were more reliable. We didn't rely so heavily on the levy credit, whereas the final compromise that passed included all the profligacy of the Senate Democrats necessitated that more dollars be routed into the levy credit versus the equalization aid calculations.

Again, I voted against that budget, in part, because the way Waukesha schools were treated under the compromise.

With regards to Ms. Jones' demagoguery on school funding, I find it ironic that she would point to Brookfield that receives 15% in equalization aid while Waukesha gets 49% (and that somehow Brookfield's tax relief is unfair), and Milwaukee gets 85% of its budget funded by state taxpayers (which, according to Ms. Jones must be simultaneously unfair to Milwaukee).

The funding formula that she claims is broken ostensibly works like Barack Obama's tax plan - it is redistributive in nature and is grounded in a "from each, to each" mechanism. It meets the constitutional mandate for equalized spending across school districts.

The point being, that any change to the formula will hurt Waukesha and its neighbors to the benefit of Milwaukee. Milwaukee and property-poor rural districts have enough legislators, they don't need her complicity.

I would have just said that if Jones was really concerned about how much the Waukesha School District had to spend because of the state budget delay, she should re-direct her fire to state Democrats that wanted to raise taxes, including the state senate that wanted to double taxes for "Healthy Wisconsin."

The Sheldon and Ruth show

In this week's column for the Waukesha Freeman (just $.50 at your favorite gas station), I took a look at the Sheldon Wasserman campaign and the Ruth Page Jones campaign. Wasserman is pretending to be a conservative while running against a liberal Republican while Jones is just a liberal running against the conservative Bill Kramer.

On Wasserman:

Like a college kid waking up on New Year’s Day, Wasserman says he’ll never, ever support tax increases again. But the Senate Democrats have huge spending plans, and if he won, Wasserman’s first vote would be for Senate majority leader. Taxpayers can expect it wouldn’t take long for Wasserman to fall off the tax-and-spend wagon again.

On Jones:

If Democrats do not upset state Rep. Bill Kramer, it won’t be for lack of trying. Ruth Page Jones has been hitting doors and spending money.

The Jones campaign finance report from Monday showed that she already has spent more than $20,000, and she claims more than $24,000 on hand heading into the final week. Jones has shown a personal commitment to the campaign of $1,500 in an actual contribution, and $15,000 in loans to the campaign.

Meanwhile, Jones has been hitting doors. She told me she’s been getting a good reception at the doors and that she’s really enjoyed that part of the campaign. Her volunteers have been out, too, dropping off her education hit piece.

Voted most likely not to get the Chamber of Commerce endorsement

Democratic state assembly candidate Ruth Page Jones must not have thought much of the Waukesha Chamber of Commerce. Her campaign is either completely out of typing paper or they filled out the Chamber's questionnaire over a couple of lattes at Sprizzo's.


I'm surprised they didn't answer in crayon. (Click on the pictures to see full-size.)


Does this mean she really did not want their endorsement? Didn't care?

My favorite is question four:

4. Taxes and spending: The state budget historically experiences ever increasing structural deficits, and growing expenditures.
a. Being specific, how would you bring the state budget back into balance?
(Jones, handwritten) Grow the economy by investing in growth industries + rebalance taxes.

How's that for specifics?

State Representative Bill Kramer's answers are also on-line.

Lit drop needs to go back to school

Ruth Page Jones' volunteers were out again in our neighborhood do a lit drop but they headed for the hills when the rain/snow started. They were dropping off the misleading "Education" hit piece I mentioned in last week's Waukesha Freeman column.

Aside from the ridiculous statement about virtual schools, Jones' literature tells some absolute whoppers. For example, the statement that Bill Kramer did nothing while the state took $400,000 from Waukesha to give Elmbrook $2 million is absolutely false. Blaming Kramer for that is like blaming Larry Nelson for muggings in Milwaukee. What the hit piece does not mention is that the legislature was tied up in knots because Ruth Page Jones' allies in the State Senate were trying to pass the largest tax increase in state history for their "Healthy Wisconsin" plan, a plan about which the worst Jones has ever said is that she didn't think Waukesha residents would support it. This legislative mess is the cause of the rebate to Elmbrook. If Jones had a problem with it, tell her to call the governor and the Democrats in the state senate.

Jones promises to overhaul the state school funding formula to benefit Waukesha. Again, what a whopper. She should sell used cars. She must have fallen asleep when State Representative Sondy Pope Roberts (Dem) would not reveal her secret plan for changing school financing but readily conceded that any change that would have the support of the Democrats would mean Waukesha taxed more and receiving less.

Jones also claims Kramer has no solutions for Waukesha's spending problems. Never mind that the school board and the district administration have run the district so incompetently they have sunk themselves into a black hole of an investment scheme. Never mind that the district still has not closed a school despite a recommended plan to do so. Never mind that Jones displays prominently the endorsement of the former school board president who was ousted just this last spring, and in his endorsement he actually makes the false claims the classrooms are overcrowded.

Where was Ruth Page Jones when Kramer was in Madison fighting for a change in the QEO that would allow school districts to offer equivalent insurance if the school district could find it at a lower price than what the union charged? Where was Jones, despite her claims that over 80% of the district's costs are the result of personnel costs?

But hey, Bill Baumgart, former president of the Waukesha School Board, says Bill Kramer should go. Baumgart, who if he had any self-respect would resign from the board, says Bill Kramer should go.

Kramer is endorsed by the current school board president Dan Warren, who replaced Baumgart. I wouldn't accept either endorsement, but if I had to choose one?

*******

Speaking of endorsements, Ruth Page Jones received the endorsement of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Shocking, I know. Still, I'm not sure we'll be seeing the endorsement on anyone's doorknobs or in the mailboxes anytime soon.

In a very close call, we think Democrat challenger Ruth Page Jones deserves election based on her positions on such issues as the importance of regionalism and improving education in Waukesha and Milwaukee.

Specifically, what do they mean?

Among other issues, she supports a regional transit system and public financing of Supreme Court races.

In other words, pet causes far removed from the interests of Waukesha. At worst, her support of "regional transit" would mean, again, more taxes from Waukesha to pay for projects elsewhere such as light rail in Milwaukee. Instead of answering the question, who would be the better representative for Waukesha? The editors of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel looked for who from Waukesha would better represent them. Gee thanks.

At least we have an example of why newspapers should not issue endorsements.

Virtual schools and the 97th assembly district

In a race with real clear philosophical differences, Ruth Page Jones really had no reason to drag virtual schools into the 97th Assembly campaign. I made a bold prediction in my Waukesha Freeman column this morning. I said,

So we all agree that virtual schools are important to the students enrolled, to the entire Waukesha School District and even the entire state educational system. Then how is it productive for the Democratic candidate for the state assembly to complain about the time spent by Waukesha’s representative to the Assembly defending Waukesha’s IQ Academy?

Perhaps instead of attacking Kramer for supporting virtual schools Jones could spend her time attacking her fellow Democrats for their efforts last year to destroy this important piece of the educational system. Perhaps it would have been more appropriate for her campaign literature to call upon the governor and the Democrats to lift the enrollment caps they imposed last year and allow this great educational experiment to flourish.

In a campaign with such clear philosophical differences between Jones and her opponent there really is no excuse for this type of attack when the only purpose could be to stir up animosity through misinformation and misdirection.

I predict Jones will learn on Nov. 4 the voters of Waukesha have higher standards than this.

Last night's debate trivia

The Waukesha Freeman covers most of it. Between traffic and parking I was a half-hour late. Pretty good since I only found out about 1 1/2 hours before. Press releases must be a thing of the past.

Things of note:
1) If you had no idea who was the Republican and who was the Democrat in the room, it would not have taken you long to find out. There was a clear difference in philosophy.

2) Ruth Page Jones is not a comfortable public speaker.

3) Sixty seconds is really too short for an answer.

4) The cookies and lemonade in the back of the room were pretty good. Booze and hot sandwiches would have increased turnout.

5) Look Bill! An event away from the Country Springs hotel!

6) Waukesha Freeman editor Bill Yorth is still tall, handsome and extremely smart. (suck up - check)

7) Mayor Larry Nelson fashion report: orange Crocs with orange shirt. Halloween is coming.

8) Republican Bill Kramer's table was handing out Democrat Ruth Page Jones' education mail piece. No, really.

9) Ruth Page Jones had more supporters there. The college kids liked Bill Kramer.

Candidates out for a walk

Beautiful day outside to get some yard work done. Also probably the last really nice weekend for candidates and their volunteers.

In the 97th Assembly District, Ruth Page Jones was out again with clipboard in hand, this time in my neighborhood. She stopped by minutes after the Kramer campaign dropped off a yard sign for my wife.

Jones told me she's only had about three difficult doors since she started the campaign. She had volunteers out last week, and she has mailings coming out in the next few weeks.

Meanwhile, Kramer's volunteers are out with the list of yard signs and checking it twice. We'll check on Kramer's progress a little later.

In a recount, it's Ruth Page Jones by a nose

Town of Waukesha attorney Steve Schmuki conceded the race in the 97th Assembly District after a partial recount did not reveal any counting errors. The primary election winner, Ruth Page Jones, sent out the following press release:

September 18, 2008

Waukesha, WI, “I want to thank the Waukesha County Clerk’s office, the Board of Canvassers for their professional assistance in the primary recount. I would also like to thank my primary opponent Steve Schmuki, who fought a good, clean campaign.

I’m ready and excited to move forward into the general campaign.

I am eager to prove to the voters, that I am best choice to bring needed change to Madison and work on the issues that matter most to the people of the 97th Assembly District; the economy, heath care and education.”

My own analysis of the remainder of the race, including the delay caused by the recount, appeared today in the Waukesha Freeman. Still just two quarters!

Recount in the 97th tomorrow

Just a reminder:

The recount will take place in the Waukesha County Courthouse at 10:00 AM.

Waukesha County – 10:00 a.m., on Thursday, September 18, 2008 in Room C 350 of the Waukesha County Courthouse, 515 W. Moreland Blvd., Waukesha, Wisconsin 53188

Refreshments will not be provided. (BYOB)

Those hoping for fireworks will probably be very disappointed. Unless, of course, the attorneys start throwing things at Kathy Nickolaus.

Everybody lawyer up

The Waukesha Freeman reports on Ruth Page Jones' hiring of election law attorney Mike Maistelman and notes at the end, "Schmuki said he will soon also hire a lawyer."

I spoke with someone close to incumbent Bill Kramer's campaign, and was assured that Kramer is not seeking a recount on the Republican side. However, Kramer's campaign continues with him knocking on doors this weekend (I think he starts on the id'ed Democrats this weekend) and some volunteer activities.

As soon as we have a schedule of the fun activities to take place in Kathy Nickolaus' office, we'll post them right here.

So here's a question. If the voter started to draw a line on an arrow but did not complete the line, is it a vote? What if it's only half way?

Ruth Page Jones hires Mike Maistelman

Ruth Page Jones is taking no chances in the recount in the 97th Assembly District Primary. This morning the Wigderson Library & Pub has learned her campaign has hired Mike Maistelman of Maistelman and Associates for the recount.

Maistelman is probably most known for his role in getting the state elections board to rule against Congressman Mark Green during Green's race against Governor Jim Doyle in 2006.

Hiring Maistelman is a serious commitment of resources by Page Jones to ensuring her nine-vote victory margin in Tuesday's Democratic Primary election stands.

Schmuki to seek recount

The Associated Press is reporting Steve Schmuki is seeking a recount after initial returns showed him losing by nine votes. (Ht: commenter J. Gravelle).

Ellen Morris-Gutierrez, Schmuki's campaign manager, says she's heard from some voters that they were given absentee ballots from the wrong wards.

She says the campaign has many questions and a recount is the way to find the answers.

I think at nine votes a candidate is pretty much obligated to ask for a recount on behalf of his supporters, and I suspect there will be no bad feelings among the Democrats as a result.

I think a recount is in order

Assembly Dist. 97 (Dem) REPORTING 100%
Ruth Page Jones 645 50%
Steve Schmuki 636 50%

With only nine votes separating them, I think there's going to be a recount.

Election tomorrow

The Wigderson Library & Pub normally does not make candidate endorsements, only product endorsements for a hefty fee. However, there is a race where I have taken more than a passing personal interest is the 57th Assembly District Republican Primary. Jo Egelhoff is a blogger and proprietress of FoxPolitics.net. She would also make an exceptionally bright and perceptive Assemblyman, a shortage of which we see on both sides.

Talking with some non-party types, Barb Larson-Lloyd would make a very interesting candidate for the office of Register of Deeds for Waukesha County. She is not a traditional politician and has worked over 20 years in the title insurance industry. She is running against a county supervisor Jim Behrend who seems to have the endorsement of the local party establishment.

Finally, there's the Sensenbrenner-Burkee primary at the congressional level. Since Congressman Sensenbrenner is actually one of the good guys in the Republican Caucus, I really don't understand why he has a primary opponent. I also really disliked Burkee's plan to team up with the Democratic candidate before the Democrat dropped out. The whole race just seems unseemly. At best it's just a waste of time. Tell the Libertarian Party to find some other way to win an election.

For those of you looking for a little help with your ballot, here is the Pro-Life Wisconsin Victory Fund list of endorsements and the Wisconsin Right to Life PAC-endorsed candidates.

If you're looking for predictions, Sensenbrenner wins handily and Ruth Page Jones beats Steve Schmuki. None of Tom Reynolds' candidates win.

97th Assembly Update

Ruth Page Jones is sending out a last minute mailer with an endorsement from Waukesha Mayor Larry Nelson. I haven't seen it yet, so I don't know what color Crocs he's wearing.

Maybe if WEAL (Schmuki's organization) hadn't been such a thorn in the mayor's hide, the mayor might have stayed out of the race.

Meanwhile, back in the 9-7

The things I do for my readers. I even attend Democratic Primary candidate forums.

Fox Head analyzes my analysis in the Waukesha Freeman (well worth his fifty cents) and summarizes,

Understanding that they are in a Republican district, one would expect more pop and sizzle. Instead we are getting more of the Democratic rhetoric - Tax, Spend, and stupid domestic policy.

Journal Sentinel endorses Ruth Page Jones

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel endorsed Ruth Page Jones over Steve Schmuki in the 97th Assembly District primary. They say it was a tough choice.

Schmuki also gained from the editorial:

We were impressed with Schmuki, 54, when he ran against Kramer two years ago, and we remain so today. An attorney, he has been active on environmental issues and has served as president of the Waukesha County Environmental Action League. He and Jones are very close on most issues, and Schmuki would bring a moderate and articulate voice to the Legislature.

That ought to fit nicely on the campaign lit.

Both candidates were at a candidate forum sponsored by Sophia last night, the only meeting so far in the campaign. I'm surprised the local Democratic Party hasn't sponsored a forum in an effort to crank up the enthusiasm for the two candidates. My thoughts on the two candidates and the forum last night will appear in tomorrow's Waukesha Freeman, well worth the fifty cents.Technorati Tags: Ruth Page Jones, Schmuki, Waukesha Freeman, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 97th Assembly District

Nomination Paper challenge updates

I received the following note from Mike Leon**, a leftwing blogger supporting (but not a paid employee of) the assembly campaign of Pedro Colon. On Sunday, I mentioned the challenge to Colon's nomination signatures as part of our "Idiot Politician of the Week" feature.

Jim,

Colon submitted almost 300 signatures.

The challenge is coming from Robert Miranda's people (though the candidate, Laura Manriquez, is the candidate).

I think the only idiot when this is all said and done is going to Robert Miranda (huge surprise there) and Manriquez.

Miranda is a freaking nut.

Mike (Leon)

We'll continue to watch the challenge.

Meanwhile, another attorney* Mike Maistelman, the election law expert on the Democratic side, has been retained by State Senator Spencer Coggs in his fight against an "anonymous" complaint challenging Coggs' nomination papers. Maistelman's response to the complaint is that it cannot be filed anonymously, and that the complaint cannot be corrected for that defect because we are past the deadline for filing a sworn complaint.

The complaint is reported by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel to have been dropped off by former State Senator Tom Reynolds and Coggs' Democratic primary opponent.

Maistelman also has hired a handwriting expert, Bonnie Schwid, supposedly hired by the complainant. This complaint gets its first test (and likely last) on Wednesday.

Reynold's candidate Nicholas Cosey is also facing being bumped off the ballot.

The State Senate Democratic Committee has filed a similar challenge against Cosey, alleging that 36 of his 404 signatures came from people who don't live in the Senate district, and that one is from an invalid address. The SSDC complaint includes an affidavit from City of Milwaukee Election Commission Deputy Director Neil Albrecht confirming the charges.

Finally, an update on Ruth Page Jones, a candidate in the Democratic primary in the 97th Assembly district. Wait a second, I have to cue the intro.

An Exclusive Wigderson Library & Pub 97th Assembly District Update: That's better. There was a question on Ruth Page Jones' organizational strength after she turned in only 237 nomination signatures. It was then pointed out that she turned in supplemental signatures the day they were due. I have since learned she submitted 24 additional signatures, probably just enough to keep her off the challenge block. Looks like she collected many of them herself.

Her opponent in the primary, attorney Steve Schmuki, turned in the maximum 400 signatures, as did the Republican incumbent Bill Kramer.

*All these Democratic attorneys, you'd think the trial lawyers are part of the Democratic Party's main constituencies.

** Mike Leon is not an attorney. I regret the error.

Keeps you running

A Wigderson Library & Pub 97th Assembly District Update:



Perhaps Ruth Page Jones is not as organizationally ready as previously thought. Only 237 signatures, one of them Mayor Larry Nelson's. Her nomination signatures were almost low enough to get her petitions challenged. She better hope her teacher supporters are not all on extended summer vacations.

Incumbent Bill Kramer turned in the maximum number needed. Not surprising since he is already knocking on doors at a faster pace than two years ago.

Also interesting is attorney Steve Schmuki's intention to seek public financing for his campaign.

Campaign finance reports are due 7/21. Should be interesting.

Meanwhile, independent Thomas Russ will not be on the ballot, as predicted.

see Update: 7/10/08

And then there were two

A Wigderson Library & Pub 97th Assembly Update exclusive:

Just got word from the Waukesha Democratic Party that Roger Danielsen, the disgraced... etc., etc., will not be running for state assembly. The two candidates in the 97th Assembly District Democratic Primary will be attorney and environmental activist Steve Schmuki, and Democratic activist and educational tax-hike activist Ruth Page Jones.

No official reason was given to me, but clearly Danielsen would have been at a severe disadvantage facing the other two. His only hope was Republicans crossing over to vote for him to cause mischief*. Danielsen's efforts looked more like an effort to redeem his tattered reputation than to mount an effective campaign.

I'll have an updated analysis of the race between Schmuki and Jones on Monday.

(*Must tell the lovely Doreen from Waukesha to put away the Danielsen yard sign.)