I am going to tell you what I told my daughter before she filled out her absentee ballot for Tuesday’s election. It is OK to either not vote for Tom Taylor (since he is running unopposed) or to write in another candidate if you do not feel he has done a good job, at keeping taxes low, or not doing anything to fill all the open retail that has fled Franklin, and deserves not to be re-elected. I invited my daughter to compare Tom Taylors performance against Oak Creek Mayor Dick Bolender who has aggressively sought after development and succeeded.
It should be interesting to see the results when they are finally posted with the results of how many folks vote for Tom Taylor or choose to write in someone else.
We had a good laugh the other night at the Mayor’s expense after seeing all his huge signs when he is running against nobody…… or maybe he his just prepping for his run for Jeff Stone’s seat in the Assembly! He can just put stickers over the Mayor part of the sign and not bother to take them down.
I have had conversations with quite a few people interested in putting themselves out for the Spring 2011 elections. Whether it is candidates for the County Executive, Franklin Mayor, Alderman in the 3rd, 4th or 6th district or for the 2 School Board seats in Franklin Public School district. Let’s not forget the one seat on the Oak Creek – Franklin School board also.
I could tell you what I have heard. But ….
But it would be just what it is – RUMORS:
So when it is official, that being the final date for filing nomination papers 5:00 p.m. on January 4, 2011, except that this final date may be extended 72 hours if the incumbent does not file a Notice of Noncandidacy and does not file nomination papers for that office.
I awoke this morning to a flurry of e-mails from my conservative Republican friends (yes I am a card carrying member) about some fantasy local liberal Democrat blogger Greg Kowalskidreamed up last night.
Now you have to remember first that this unemployed, self proclaimed CCD Vice-President (not the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine – we Catholics grew up with) has a history where he makes up whatever he can not actually get fed to him by his “sources” mostly CCP Steve Taylor, Alderwoman Wilhelm or his new supposed buddy Tom (Mayor Tom Taylor).
So now when it comes to his conjecture about what the local Republican Party will or won’t do about the future campaigns of Larry Gamble, his information is just plain old made up. Nobody credible would talk to him.
Kowalski says:
……. it’s even worse when my sources are informing me that the Republican Party itself is very upset at Gamble for what they firmly believe was a smearing campaign on one of their finest legislators – Jeff Stone.
No credible Republican Party members (with the exception of CCP Steve Taylor) would ever talk with a liberal Democrat blogger such as Greg Kowalski.
Kowalski further says:
If the Republican Party is upset with Gamble, why would they endorse or encourage their Franklin members to vote for Gamble in future races, especially if Gamble is challenging CCP Steve Taylor or Mayor Tom Taylor? CCP Taylor currently is an active coordinator for Scott Walker’s gubernatorial race, and Mayor Taylor contributed well to Stone’s campaign and is also a friend of Walker. Expect the Republicans to give no favors to Gamble; in fact, expect them (or at least the party at the county level) to openly endorse and encourage its membership to vote for Gamble’s opponent. They’re angry, and this level of anger is very hard to forgive and forget.
Earth to Greg … Unlike the Obamites of the Democratic party which Greg Kowalski purports to be, the Republicans could give a royal rip about a local NON PARTISAN election such as Mayor or Alderman of a small city like Franklin. He forgets that Stone reached out to many local, and State politicians and no one endorsed Stone with the exception of the democrat leaning Mayor of Franklin!
In addition it is a ridiculous stance that Kowalski makes that because Gamble lost so big he‘s unwinnable in the future. This past April is a prime example where Doug Schmidt, who lost by a landslide to incumbent County Supervisor Mark Borkowski in 2008 won the local election against yours truly!
In an email post to me from a local GOP member it read:
“The GOP is NOT upset with Gamble. Why would the GOP go against a conservative who lost 82-18? They have bigger fish to fry.
The GOP could care less if Gamble ran for alderman in April or any other office. Name one GOP official that is angry at Gamble!”
One can only surmise that Greg was blogging while having one too many margaritas at his favorite Franklin Mexican restaurant and talking to one his imaginary sources.
UPDATE (9/20/2010)
This Article just came out today in the JS Online. The headline reads: TeaParty Energizes State GOP
In part it reads:
Now, weeks before the Nov. 2 midterm elections, Republicans in Wisconsin and across the country appear upbeat, their election prospects buoyed by the energy and voting of tea party activists.
While the tea party movement has wreaked havoc with some Republican races nationally – political upstarts knocked off establishment candidates in Senate primaries in states such as Delaware and Alaska – the movement has found common ground with the Republican Party in Wisconsin.
< …………… >
What brings all the tea party groups together is frustration over spending, taxes and deficits, Rasmussen said. A little less than 20% of those polled identify with the movement, he added.
“What is fascinating, you can take that number and you begin to push and probe a little bit, you find there are some people who kind of agree what they think the tea party is standing for but they’re not sure they want to be that loud and that brash,” he said.
“A lot of people in the tea party don’t care about the battle between Republicans and Democrats,” he added. “They have a dim view of both political parties. Nearly half of all conservatives in this nation do not consider themselves Republican. This notion that the tea party is an adjunct to the Republican Party is mistaken.”
But for now, at least, in Wisconsin, the GOP appears poised to capture the votes of tea party supporters.
Yet, the party cannot take those voters for granted.
Lora Halberstadt, co-founder of the Racine Tea Party, said her organization will “be activating and motivating our fellow citizens to pay attention to what the candidates are saying.”
“This is just the first battle in a long fight,” she said. “The Republicans, if they get in charge, will have their feet held to the fire just like everyone else.”
Well here it is Wednesday morning in Franklin, sunny sky’s and fall is in the air. It is the day after the fall primary and Scott Walker and Tom Barret will go head to head for the next three months with mud slinging campaigns. I do look forward to the Sarah Palin lookalike Rebecca Keefisch Lt. Governor campaign commercials however.
The unfortunate part of this September 14th primary is that Larry Gamble will not be in Madison to look out for Franklin residents in the 82nd assembly district. Instead we will have the same lase-fair representation we have had from Jeff Stoned for the past six terms. Even many in his own party and local politicians did not come out to support Jeff in this election, but yet name recognition and a HUGE campaign chest kept Jeff in office.
Now to the future and the part of my headline – Franklin’s Gain.
Larry Gamble has now gotten name recognition and a support system behind him to launch possible campaigns in opposition to the Taylor boys in Franklin. Larry now has the opportunity to effect local government by running against Steve Taylor, 4th District Alderman who barely squeaked out a win when he ran three years ago or against Mayor Tom Taylor (former FCRL member) who many say has a huge bulls-eye painted on his back due to his waffling on issues, along with his tax and spend attitude linked to the 27th Street lights – $500,000 tie breaking vote, $150,000 Tornado Sirens, his opposition to a zero property tax increase. Franklin is looking for a change and word has it that Steve Taylor was hoping and praying that Larry would win so he would not go after either job. Larry Gamble now has the freedom to set his sights on April 2011 to oust either of these two politicians.
As I said before…. The States Loss is Franklin’s Gain. I look forward to Larry Gamble’s next campaign and a win.
Sort of looks that way if you read this press release from the Grandsons of Liberty:
WISCONSIN GRANDSONS OF LIBERTY
PRESS RELEASE
9 September 2010 Contact: Norm Reynolds 414-529-2428
82nd Assembly District Tea Party/Patriot Groups Disappointed by Rep. Jeff Stone’s Unwillingness to Confirm Debate
Milwaukee, WI – The Wisconsin GrandSons of Liberty and the Greendale Tea Party express their dismay that Rep. Jeff Stone has apparently backed out of a debate with Rep. Stone’s challenger, Larry Gamble, scheduled for Saturday, September 11th, at Root River Lanes starting at 3:00 pm. Despite working with Rep. Stone to accommodate his schedule and his demands, he has not returned numerous phone calls and the debate is now two days away, making it difficult to proceed without his confirmation.
We believe that the voters of the 82nd Assembly District deserve to be able to hear both candidates expound on their positions on the issues and also to hear Rep. Stone explain his support of the RTAs and his co-sponsorship of AJR-96, which would strip the voters of the right to vote for Wisconsin Supreme Court Justices. We are interested in Jeff Stone’s reasons for failing to support SJR-62, which would have amended the state constitution to protect Wisconsinites’ right to choice in healthcare and also the bill to provide reform of unelected boards.
Initially, Rep. Stone stated that he would not participate in a debate sponsored by tea parties and later agreed to the debate if the Republican Party would co-sponsor the event. Discussions with the party confirmed their acceptance and support of the debate although Rep. Stone has not returned any calls to finalize the debate for the last several days. We are disappointed at the political gamesmanship that has occurred in pursuing this debate and must wonder why our representative is showing little regard for his constituents.
WISCONSIN GRANDSONS OF LIBERTY is a non-profit, non-partisan organization pro-Constitution & Bill of Rights based Wisconsin patriot group that provides related information and sponsors educational events to the general public.
And in reply the Milwaukee County Republicans released this:
Republican Party of Milwaukee County: Disappointed by falsehood of confirmation of debate between Rep. Stone and challenger
9/10/2010
Contact: David Karst
262-455-1554
The Republican Party of Milwaukee County express their dismay that the Wisconsin Grand Sons of Liberty and Greendale Tea Party have inaccurately communicated that the Republican Party agreed to co-sponsor the debate on September 11th between Representative Jeff Stone and challenger Larry Gamble.
We believe that the voters of the 82nd Assembly District deserve to be able to know the truth. The truth is that we did not confirm our acceptance and support of the debate. We have been in contact with the Leader of the Wisconsin Grand Sons of Liberty and challenger Larry Gamble to retract their statements concerning this issue.
We realize that we are a few days away from the September 14th primary. However, we believe the election should be about the issues that concern the citizens of the 82nd District. The Republican Party of Milwaukee County request that candidates maintain their integrity and honor to serving the people. We are disappointed at the political gamesmanship that has occurred by a “non-partisan group” Wisconsin Grand Sons of Liberty. We must show a greater respect to the constituents of the 82nd District.
Well as a resident and a Republican in the 82nd District, I am feeling like the Milwaukee County Republicans are being disrespectful to me. Now you know why I am voting for Larry Gamble and not Jeff Stone.
One last quick info bit from WisPolitics.com:
AD 82 GOP
Larry Gamble: $1,118 raised, $958 spent, $272 cash on hand
Jeff Stone: $9,354 raised, $15,296 spent, $61,078 cash on hand
Sept. 2, 2010 | Madison - The state’s elections agency is predicting a record or near-record turnout in the Sept. 14 primary, with up to 28% of the voting age population expected to turn out.
With Gov. Jim Doyle not seeking re-election, there is the first open governor’s race in the state in 28 years as well as an election for U.S. Senate. Up to 1.2 million of the 4.4 million people in Wisconsin who are old enough to vote are expected to do so in the primary, according to the Government Accountability Board.
“There appears to be tremendous interest in this election,” said agency director Kevin Kennedy. “The governor’s office is open for the first time in many years, as are 20% of seats in the Legislature.”
In records going back to 1960, the highest voter turnout in a September primary was 27.9% – reached in 1964, according to the Accountability Board.
Wisconsin’s elections system doesn’t require voters to declare a party to be able to vote in the partisan primary, but voters can choose candidates only from a single party in the various races.
Keeping this in mind, I have observed more Larry Gamble signs going up and even replacing some Jeff Stone signs after Larry Gamble or his wife Edith come knocking on their door. I believe the key to this elections is “who is more conservative” Jeff Stone (who has become more complacent) or Larry Gamble (the Tea Party backed candidate). My bet is on Larry.
Larry recently published a paper on his website that gives residents a better view of Jeff Stone and his laissez faire attitude toward the RTA situation here in Wisconsin. READ LARRY’S POSTING HERE
Quoting Larry in his final lines of his post:
Eight voting actions on AB 282 clearly show that Rep. Stone supports both of the governor’s commuter trains and fully endorses commuter rail expansion as stated as the SERTA goal and ultimately the car speed train to Madison.
Rep. Stone is known as a proponent of comprehensive regional transit cooperation. Call these eight actions political gamesmanship or flip-flopping on the issue, but as a six term incumbent and member of the Committee on Transportation, Rep. Stone knows exactly what he is doing.
He is hoping that you do not know what he is doing. And frankly, saying you never supported something is not the same as voting against it.
I have observed that even Jeff Stone’s fellow republicans in the State legislature are not endorsing Stone in this primary.
I will close this posting with another reminder of how voters are getting tired of the run of the mill, complacent Republican Candidates and are replacing them in office with Tea Party backed candidates. The most recent example is Joe Miller (Republican Tea Party Backed) primary winner in Alaska’s election just days ago beat Republican U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski. READ L.A. Times POSTING HERE.
With a real down to earth, door to door campaign, Gamble has a real chance of winning the State’s 82nd Assembly District seat.
Even the liberal, campus paper in Madison – The Isthmus has this to say:
“The “true conservative” in the 82nd Assembly District GOP primary takes Rep. Jeff Stone to task for supporting regional transit authorities. Funny, I remember Rep. Kelda Helen Roys telling me that she liked working with Stone on occasion. No wonder he’s getting primaried.”
Candidate Larry Gamble, who is running in the Republican Primary on September 16th against Jeff Stone for the State’s 82nd Assembly District seat is having his first meet and greet.
Voters interested in meeting the candidate are invited to join in on Tuesday, August 3rd at the Root River Center’s sports bar, The Pickled Pig from 7 to 8pm for Larry Gamble’s first “Meet the Candidate” session.
Larry believes that over the last several years, we have seen the career politicians run our state to the edge of bankruptcy and we have a $2.5 Billion Dollar budget hole looming over our heads. Gamble will start the evening with a short statement about his plans to make the government more accountable to the people, he will then open the forum for your questions and comments.
Check out his page on facebook: Larry Gamble for Assembly
Larry Gamble, a Franklin Resident has announced that he will run against (R) Jeff Stone in the primary for the 82nd District Assembly Seat this fall.
In upcoming BizTimes and WisPolitics, I am told they will run with the headline “Stone has a Challenger.”
I will be writing more about Larry Gamble as I believe that he is a great conservative choice for Franklin residents to have as a representative in Madison. Jeff Stone a Greendale Republican is a six term incumbent who has never had any real competition for the seat.
Some of the issues we may see more about in this primary election:
Proposed commuter rail trains from Milwaukee to Madison and to Kenosha (KRM)
An abundance of 200+ unelected boards with taxing authority in our state
Uncontrolled taxes in the state
If you are interested in signing Larry’s nomination papers, give him a call at 414-699-9061 before Monday July 12th.
