Republican wins Assembly seat covering Milwaukee County (WI)

AP/jsonline.com ^ | 7/22/2003

[steveegg]

Republican businessman Mark Honadel defeated Democratic Oak Creek Alderman Al Foeckler in a special election Tuesday to fill a vacant state Assembly seat which covers part of Milwaukee County.

With 14 of 16 precincts, or 88 % reporting, Honadel had 6,235 votes, or 63 %, while Foeckler had 3,698 votes, or 37 %, unofficial election returns showed. Honadel replaces former Rep. Jeff Plale in the 21st District, which covers Milwaukee's southern suburbs. Plale, a Democrat, won a special election earlier this year to the state Senate.

In another special election race in the 71st District in north-central Wisconsin, Republican Jackie Szehner took an early lead over Democrat Louis John Molepske Jr., and Green Party candidate Amy Heart.

With 25 of 34 precincts, or 74 %, reporting, Szehner had 1,673 votes, or 46 %, while Molepske had 1,498 votes, or 41 %, according to unofficial returns.

[steveegg]

This is a HUGE deal. Consider the following:

• The last time a Republican represented the district was at least 70 years ago.
• In the special election to replace the state Senator (which includes this district and 2 highly-liberal districts in the city of Milwaukee), the Pubbies didn't even put up a candidate, while the Greens did.
• Despite the abive, the district went for Bush in 2000 and Scott Walker (a Pubbie) for county exec in 2002.
• Fearing that this would turn out to be a referendum on the property tax freeze passed by the Legislature and all-but-already-vetoed by Jim (Craps) Doyle, the RATs poured an unprecedented amount of money and effort into propping up Foeckler. This effort included numerous TV ads both by the Foeckler campaign and "independent" groups (the "independent" ads were carried on the local cable network, but not the candidates' ads), supression calls, an outright lie claiming that a pro-life group who endorsed Honadel was for Foeckler, and a continuation of the practice of certain candidates who get a Milwakuee Journal Sentinel endorsement also getting a front-page post-it note slapped on the election-day edition.

Also note that despite the heavy campaigning by the Journtinel, they didn't bother to have a local reporter on this; rather, they depended on the AP.

One more thing; it looks like the Pubbies have gone 2 for 2, though the north-central numbers are a lot closer and slower in coming in.

[afraidfortherepublic]

Thanks for posting this great news. I hope the trend continues in the North Central WI district.

[Jean S]

Thanks for posting this news! Can we assume that Doyle won't line item out the 'no property tax increase" provision in the budget? At the least he's received a strong message from the voters.

[steveegg]

Can we assume that Doyle won't line item out the 'no property tax increase" provision in the budget? At the least he's received a strong message from the voters.

Craps listening to the voters? Not a chance, unfortunately.

[steveegg]

I hope the trend continues in the North Central WI district.

Same here. Looks like we'll have an unexpected bonus in the tax revolt.

[Jean S]

You may be right but it's going to be harder to defend the veto.
(Wishful thinking?)

[SteveAustin]

This was a big win....the special interests poured tons of money into this.

Loud Message to Jim Doyle and the teachers union...no new taxes.

[republicandiva]

Congrats to all the southern Milwaukee area residents and thanks to all involved in the grassroots effort (including those from other areas) that turned back Foeckler's last minute sleaze machine, AND BY A SUBSTANTIAL MARGIN! GREAT JOB...maybe there is hope for Milwaukee after all! lOL

Now the real test - will this win pressure enough Demonrat legislators, fearful of their jobs, into a veto override, assuming Doyle still plans to veto the freeze? Should be interesting.

[LouD]

2 highly-liberal districts in the city of Milwaukee

Honadel lost one of those wards (I don't recall which one) by only six votes. The demonrats and union thugs were highly irate this evening over the effectiveness of Honadel's campaign. The Republicans played great defense (making it difficult for the demonrats and union thugs to play their usual election fraud games) and offense (great grassroots organization, get out the vote efforts, and communication) Everyone stayed on message, and the message was tax freeze - Doyle ignores that message at his peril.

[steveegg]

Final unoffical numbers from Channels 4 and 6 (probably also reported on 12 and 58; if so, I missed it) -

Mark Honadel (R) - 6624
Al Foeckler (D) - 4216

[steveegg]

While I was refering to Assembly districts (Cudahy, St. Francis, Bay View and the Lower East Side), point well noted.

On a related note, I'll wager that if David Clarke decides to run for mayor, he'll get more votes from those 2 wards than any 2 inner-city wards.

[steveegg]

It's just been a great day all around. Uday and Qusay dead, seat flipped (never mind that the Pubbies already solidly control the Assembly), message sent to Craps loud and clear.

[fieldmarshaldj]

WI politics *ping*

Fantastic wins here...

[Faraday]

This is great news. Hope the result leads to the Demons in the legislature going weak in the knees. (And maybe even encourage some of the Pubs to find a spine.) Also, hope that a tax revolt along with revulsion against anti-American treason will sweep Feingold out next year.

[GOPJ]

Good news bump.

[steveegg]

(~Remember, it's not sporting to fire at RINO until charging~)

Who cares about sporting :-)

[MediaMole]

The post-it notes are paid ads.

See page 3 of the advertising rate card.

Rate Card (PDF file)

Just an FYI. Even the Journal-Sentinel has some limits.

[lawgirl]

YAY!! I am moving to Milwaukee next week- how great to know I'll have a Republican representative to represent me. :-D That makes me feel a bit better about the $3800 a year I will be paying in taxes!!!!!!!!!

[steveegg]

In that case, I'd like to see a Pubbie that they would never endorse try to get a Post-It. I find it odd that the 4 times it has happened have all been Journtinel-endorsed candidates.

[steveegg]

If you're moving to the very-far south side, then you may have Honadel. A helpful PDF map to show just how little of Milwaukee would have a Pubbie representing it in the Assembly is over on the Assembly website for the district.

Of course, if you're coming out the the fine south suburbs, unless you're in Cudahy, you'll have a Pubbie representing you.

[steveegg]

I forgot to mention that the eastern 2/3rds of Greenfield has a RAT representing it. Other than that oversight, southern Milwaukee County is turning conservative.

[MediaMole]

Next year a Republican candidate should try it. If they won't sell the ad, that will be a great story for Belling. I suspect they have an ad salesman who goes to the candidates they endorse and points out what a "great opportunity" it is to leverage the JS endorsement.

There's plenty of bias, but the JS will never give away anything they can get money for. Of course wait until Gerald Boyd becomes the new Editor in Chief. (I have money riding on this.)

[steveegg]

Let's take a look at the record of the endorsement/post-it combo:

• Tom Barrett in the Democratic governor primary - lost
• Jerry Kleczka in the 2002 4th Congressional District general election (against only a Green candidate) - won
• Jim Doyle in the 2002 governor general election (except in the 4th Congressional District, where only Kleczka's Post-it appeared) - won
• Al Foeckler in the 21st Assembly District special general election - smoked

'Tisn't a great political batting average. Still, I would love to see a non-endorsed Pubbie try to get that ad.

[LdSentinal]

One win it seems.

Special Election for AD 71 & AD 21

Candidates in AD 71 (Lassa Seat)

Amy Heart (Wisconsin Green): 14%
Louis Molepske, Jr. (D): 37%
Jo Seiser (D-Write In): 13%
Jackie Szehner (R): 35%

Candidates in AD 21 (Plale Seat)

Al Foeckler (D): 39%
Mark Honadel (R): 61%

Also, we lost an opportunity to gain a assembly seat in Georgia by 80 votes.

Snow (D) defeats Neal (R) in third faceoff

[steveegg]

Finally, the Journal Sentinel has its own story:

Republican Honadel snags control of 21st District

By GEORGIA PABST
gpabst@journalsentinel.com
Last Updated: July 22, 2003

In a decisive victory Tuesday, Republican Mark Honadel snatched the 21st Assembly seat from Democrat Al Foeckler, ending 75 years of Democratic control of the seat in Milwaukee County's southern suburbs.

"This win is huge because it means the property tax freeze (that Honadel supported) is real and every Democrat that voted against it will be looking over their shoulder in November 2004," said Darrin Schmitz, executive director of the Republican Party of Wisconsin.

Wisconsin Democratic Party Chairwoman Linda Honold said losing the 21st District was not a blow to the party. She said she didn't know what issues were the determining factors in Honadel's win.

In another special election Tuesday to fill a vacancy in the state Assembly, Democrat Louis John Molepske Jr. of Stevens Point defeated a Republican businesswoman and a Wisconsin Green Party candidate.

Republicans control the Assembly 59-40. Tuesday's election marked the fourth time this year that both districts have voted in a primary or general election.

The special election to replace Democrat Jeff Plale, who moved to the state Senate, was expected to be close in the district that has become split almost 50-50 in its voting patterns. The 21st District includes Oak Creek, South Milwaukee and two wards on Milwaukee's south side.

But Honadel, 47, making his first run for public office, won the seat last held by Republicans in 1928.

He focused on one issue - the Republican-backed property tax limits in the 2003-'05 proposed state budget. The plan to place strict limits on local property tax is a provision that Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle is expected to veto.

"This issue was huge when I went door to door and when customers came to the store," said Honadel at his victory party at Jim Dandy's in Oak Creek. He owns Honadel's Inc., a South Milwaukee lawn and garden supply store.

Foeckler, 30, an attorney and Oak Creek alderman, reminded voters that he had helped keep taxes down in Oak Creek and said the proposed property tax freeze would negatively affect local governments.

Tuesday night, Foeckler conceded within an hour after polls closed. "I'm obviously disappointed," he said. "I'm hanging out with my family, friends and volunteers and thanking them.

"I don't know if the tax freeze made the difference. I'll analyze the race later and many times in my head," he said.

The race received heavy involvement from political parties and special interest groups that ran TV and radio ads for both candidates. The Wisconsin Education Association Council aired commercials for Foeckler, while Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce, the state's largest business group, ran ads criticizing the Democrats.

In the 71st District, Molepske, 29, a former Portage County special prosecutor who resigned to enter the race, replaces former Democratic Rep. Julie Lassa. She won a special election earlier this year to the state Senate.

The 71st District covers Stevens Point and Plover.

Molepske previously worked as an assistant to Stevens Point's mayor and was assistant city attorney in Stevens Point. He defeated Republican Jackie Szehner, who ran unsuccessfully in 1994 and 1996 for the 71st District, and Green Party candidate Amy Heart.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Hint for Al and Linda; it's the taxes, stupid.

[lawgirl]

OH SH!! I am moving to Greenfield- I now have no idea if I am covered or not!

[steveegg]

Before anyone blames the Journal Sentinel for not having the vote totals in the story, a sidebar on the linked story (which I didn't include above) does have the vote totals. Honadel won 6624-4216, while Molepske won 2628-2490-1008.

[steveegg]

Maps of the Pubbie Assembly district represented by Jeff Stone and the RAT Assembly district represented by Peggy Krusick. A Pubbie state Senator also represents the area that Stone does, while a RAT represents the area Krusick does in the Senate. In either case, you do have a Pubbie Congressman by the name of Paul Ryan.

[fieldmarshaldj]

That's too bad about that 2nd WI seat, but I should've waited until we had all the votes in... :-|

The GA seat was also a disappointment... :-(

[fieldmarshaldj]

Hehehe... ;-)

[LouD]

I almost forgot: GOP Vigilante Bump for yesterday's Urinal Sentinel article about the election:

              www.jsonline.com               Return to regular view

Original URL: http://www.jsonline.com/news/state/jul03/156729.asp

Elections will fill out Legislature

Pawlinski's council spot also on ballot Tuesday

By MEG JONES
mjones@journalsentinel.com

Last Updated: July 21, 2003

Special elections Tuesday in two legislative districts will bring the Legislature to full strength for the first time since last fall.

Voters in Milwaukee's 13th Aldermanic District also will head to the polls to select a replacement for Ald. Jeff Pawlinski, who resigned in May as part of an agreement to plead guilty to federal charges of misuse of campaign funds.

The legislative contests will fill seats vacated by former Reps. Julie Lassa of Stevens Point and Jeff Plale of South Milwaukee. Both Democrats won special elections in April to fill open Senate seats.

Republicans currently control the Assembly 58-39, so the races will have no bearing on control of the chamber.

In the 21st Assembly District, Republican Mark Honadel, who owns a South Milwaukee lawn and garden supply store, will face off against Democrat Al Foeckler, an attorney and Oak Creek alderman. The district includes South Milwaukee, Oak Creek and two wards on Milwaukee's south side.

Three candidates are vying to represent the 71st Assembly District, which includes Stevens Point and Plover: Democrat Louis John Molepske Jr., Republican Jackie Szehner and Green Party candidate Amy Heart.

The winners of both Assembly special elections will serve out unexpired terms through January 2005. They will be sworn in within a few days.

The Republican Party of Wisconsin plans to send volunteers clad in green vests to wards in the 21st District, in order to observe the election process and "ensure our election system does not fall prey to abuse and fraud," Executive Director Darrin Schmitz said in a statement.

Democrats criticized the idea, saying it will intimidate voters and drive down voter turnout. Kim Warentin, executive director of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, said in a statement that polling spots are "not a place for GOP vigilantes."

On Milwaukee's far southeast side, three candidates are running to replace Pawlinski on the Common Council, one as a write-in.

The two candidates on the ballot are Nancy Plichta, a Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District official, and Terry Witkowski, the city's former Safety Director. Mike Hester, a Milwaukee firefighter and paramedic who finished fourth in the primary, is running a write-in campaign.

Today's winner will serve the remainder of Pawlinski's term, which expires in April. The election will bring the council to its full complement of 17 members.

That number will shrink to 16 in September, when Ald. Paul Henningsen is scheduled to be sentenced, after being found guilty last month on four counts of mail fraud.

Polls in most communities will open at 7 a.m. today. All polls close at 8 p.m.

Journal Sentinel reporter Greg Borowski contributed to this report.

From the July 22, 2003 editions of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

[LouD]

The various assorted union thugs and sour-faced leftist halfwits were truly pissed that we were there, in force, and not about to let them steal this election, like they have so many others.

[Mygirlsmom]

Wisconsin Democratic Party Chairwoman Linda Honold said losing the 21st District was not a blow to the party. She said she didn't know what issues were the determining factors in Honadel's win.

Methinks Ms. Honold should actually land on planet earth and stay a while before talking to the press. Congrats to the residents of O.C. and So Milw (I grew up there-- didn't think they'd have it in them!!!)

[steveegg]

The Republican Party of Wisconsin plans to send volunteers clad in green vests to wards in the 21st District, in order to observe the election process and "ensure our election system does not fall prey to abuse and fraud," Executive Director Darrin Schmitz said in a statement.

Democrats criticized the idea, saying it will intimidate voters and drive down voter turnout. Kim Warentin, executive director of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, said in a statement that polling spots are "not a place for GOP vigilantes."

As the GOP Vigilantes proved, polling spots are not a place for RAT thievery. Without you guys, I have no doubt the RATs would have stolen this one between South Milwaukee and the 2 wards in Milwaukee.

BTW, yet another Taglinus FreeRepublicus bump for jigsaw.

[steveegg]

Wisconsin Democratic Party Chairwoman Linda Honold said losing the 21st District was not a blow to the party.

She must be a BIG Black Knight fan. I'm half-surprised she didn't break out the "It's only a flesh wound" quip.

[Impy]

I was suprised that Bush carried that South Millwakukie Congressional seat (old 4th?). Too bad it got merged with the other Millwakukie seat, it could have been won if open.

As to that second Assembly seat, since 65% voted rat or green we probably would've lost it next year anyway.

Too bad about that Neal/Snow race, I remember that from Jan. I didn't know they were going at it again. Hopefully Snow will retire in 04.

[steveegg]

I was suprised that Bush carried that South Millwakukie Congressional seat (old 4th?). Too bad it got merged with the other Millwakukie seat, it could have been won if open.

Let me do a bit of 'splainin' here. First things first, it's been the explosive growth in conservative Oak Creek that fueled the chances of Pubbies around my neck of the woods. South Milwaukee remains a RAT stronghold, but its population has dipped, especially relative to Oak Creek.

As for the redistricting, that was the result of losing a seat and having the Congresscritters doing their own redistricting. I'm happy because I got out of Jerry (Crash) Kleczka's district and into Paul Ryan's. The RAT alternative was to extend the 4th down to Racine and Kenosha using as narrow a "land bridge" as possible. Racine and Kenosha are both RAT strongholds, and as the 2002 governor campaign proved, quick learners in voter fraud.

[Coop]

Updates

[AuH2ORepublican]

"That's too bad about that 2nd WI seat"

---

Stevens Point is very Democratic, so it would have been miraculous for the Republican to win it (and, looking at the election results, he only would have won had the Green and the second RAT taken a couple of percentage points more from the main RAT and allowed the Republican to win with only 35%).

But overall it's good news in Wisconsin. The Milwaukee suburbs stand in stark contrast to the NYC, DC and Philly suburbs in their shift to the right in recent years, since pro-life and pro-gun are WINNING ISSUES in Wisconsin (and will give the state to Bush in 2004). We should also have a good chance of unseating Congressman Ron Kind, and of taking Obey's seat once he retires. The future looks good in Wisconsin.

[steveegg]

Stevens Point is very Democratic, so it would have been miraculous for the Republican to win it....

The local Stevens Point newspaper actually endorsed the Greenie, echoing her campaign slogan of "Democrats in action, not in name only."

[AuH2ORepublican]

"The local Stevens Point newspaper actually endorsed the Greenie"

---

The Green candidate did even better in yesterday's election than Nader did in 2000. In 2000, the presidential vote in Stevens Point went as follows: Gore 55.83%; Bush 33.70%; and Nader 9.34%. Yesterday's results were in the same ballpark, with 5% of the vote moving from Gore to the Greens and the rest of the Gore vote being split between two RATs.

[fieldmarshaldj]

I didn't learn of that 3rd rerun of that GA election until Monday. At this point, I'd just as soon as said let the 'Rat keep it until next year. These election reruns are just a waste of money. If anything, it ought to demonstrate that the legislative lines are so f'd up in GA that this is what ends up happening. They need to be redrawn to reflect the will of the GOP voting majority.

[fieldmarshaldj]

I was trying to figure out why some nice little inland town would be so 'Rat -- that was until I saw the University of Wisconsin Marxist Indoctrination Camp smack dab in the middle. I wonder how the old timers feel about that. :-(

[Mygirlsmom]

"Ok, we'll call it a draw"

And now for something completely different - it will be interesting to see how Jeff Plale deals with the situation. I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall when he got the news ...

[steveegg]

And now for something completely different - it will be interesting to see how Jeff Plale deals with the situation. I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall when he got the news ...

It depends on which Jeff Plale got it; the Plale before he became senator, or the one that he is now. He was once a conservative Democrat; now he's just another DemonRAT.

[Impy]

We should also have a good chance of unseating Congressman Ron Kind, and of taking Obey's seat once he retires. The future looks good in Wisconsin.

________________________


And hopefully win back the governship and 1 or both senate seats. Wisconsin is the least rat state to have this rat trifecta.

[mafree]

It depends on which Jeff Plale got it; the Plale before he became senator, or the one that he is now. He was once a conservative Democrat; now he's just another DemonRAT.

You're right-- what the heck is Plale doing hiring a convicted felon who worked for the pro-aborts? Wassup wid dat?

[steveegg]

You're right-- what the heck is Plale doing hiring a convicted felon who worked for the pro-aborts? Wassup wid dat?

He now represents the Lower East Side.

[mafree]

Pity he feels he owes Eastsiders. Don't think many of them voted for him.

[Kuksool]

{The future looks good in Wisconsin.}

The future for the GOP would be even brighter, if measures to prevent voter fraud are enacted. WI's election day voter registration policy is so susceptible to voter fraud. I suspect voter fraud may have played a role in Russ Feingold's Senate victory in 1998, and Al Gore carrying WI in 2000. This policy must go if the GOP wants to remain a viable party in WI.