Posted on 10/18/2003 1:28:07 PM PDT by Pubbie
Wisconsin car dealer Russ Darrow made his Republican U.S. Senate bid official Thursday, saying he hopes to bump off two-term Democratic incumbent Russ Feingold, whom he labeled as too liberal and out of step with Wisconsin residents.
Darrow, 63, will first have to face two other Republicans who also have announced their U.S. Senate bids: state Sen. Bob Welch, 45, and Brownsville businessman Tim Michels, 41.
In an interview, Darrow called himself "a grounded kind of guy, a real person who takes care of real people" and touted his business experience as a plus for the Senate job he hopes to win next year.
Darrow is chairman and chief executive of the Darrow Group Inc., which includes 13 new car dealerships bearing his name, six used car J.D. Byrider dealerships, and finance and leasing companies. The dealerships are in Milwaukee, Madison and the Fox Valley.
Darrow said having a name that has been heavily advertised in some of the state's major media markets for years will be a plus for his race. He said he'll contribute 20% of the cost of his campaign, which he estimated could come to about $6 million to $8 million, and seek outside contributions for 80% of the total.
Darrow called himself "a mainstream conservative," an opponent of abortion rights, and supporter of job and business growth. He said he's running because he has reached a point in life where he can and because he has strongly disagreed with some of Feingold's stands. Darrow singled out Feingold's votes against the Patriot Act and free trade agreements for criticism.
Feingold, 50, wasn't available for comment. But he issued a statement saying he knew the car dealer. "I have worked with him on a number of issues over the years, and I am grateful for the financial support he has given my campaign," he said.
Darrow gave Feingold three donations totaling $1,000 this year and last year, according to federal election reports. A letter to supporters provided by Feingold's campaign Thursday said Darrow had hosted two fund-raisers for Feingold, on May 6, 2002, and last April 25, that generated additional donations from car dealers.
Feingold supported legislation that passed last year banning mandatory arbitration to settle disputes between auto dealer franchisees and manufacturers.
Darrow said his donations to Feingold were made for "a bunch of small reasons. The main reason is I've known Russ a long time."
Darrow has often donated money to Republican candidates, for both state and national office, according to campaign finance records. Of the $29,143 Darrow donated to federal candidates since 1997, the $1,000 in donations to Feingold were the only ones to a Democrat. Darrow also donated to Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle while he was Wisconsin's attorney general.
Wisconsin Republican Party Chairman Rick Graber said the three-way GOP primary would help the eventual nominee run a stronger race against Feingold. He said Feingold's win in a three-way Democratic primary in 1992 had proved a successful formula. Feingold won after two other Democrats in the race, Joe Checota and Jim Moody, waged negative attacks against each other.
Welch declined to comment on Darrow's entry in the race, saying he wouldn't issue any political statements on the anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Michels, an executive with his family's utility construction firm, welcomed Darrow into the race. Michels said his experience in the military and in running a business in a difficult economy made him the best of the three Republicans seeking to unseat Feingold.
He runs against him, but donated to him?
This doesn't make sense, unless Feingold snubbed him for something.
Neumann is finishing off his campaign debt and maybe gonna run against Kohl in 2006, though he'll have company.
I think Darrow would be a good candidate, but not as good as Michels. When people look foolish in situations like this (giving money to Feingold) you gotta wonder if they think through their actions before they do them, and whether they're likely to do something else foolish later in the campaign.
What about him? He says he's planning on running statewide again, though not in 2004. Another run at the governorship seems unlikely (US Rep Mark Green is one of many already staking out ground in that fight), and he doesn't seem to like Washington, which leaves Wisconsin politicos scratching their heads about his intentions.
I know I am in the minority, but I do like Welch. But in the end any of them are better than Feingold, and I will work my a** off to see him defeated!!!!
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