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Wealthy Businessman Russ Darrow To Challenge Feingold In 2004 Senate Race
JS Journal ^ | Sept. 11, 2003 | STEVE SCHULTZE

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.


TOPICS: Extended News; Politics/Elections; US: Wisconsin
KEYWORDS: 2004; darrow; electionussenate; feingold; russdarrow; russfeingold; senate; wisconsin

1 posted on 10/18/2003 1:28:08 PM PDT by Pubbie
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To: JohnnyZ; Theodore R.; Nathaniel Fischer; AuH2ORepublican; LdSentinal; Kuksool; Coop; ...
This is great news because Darrow has more money than Tim Michels and Darrow also has very high Name ID in the state, something Michels doesn't have.
2 posted on 10/18/2003 1:29:06 PM PDT by Pubbie (Vote "No" On Recall, "Yes" On Bustamante)
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To: Pubbie
I can see Feingold's attack ads already: "Would you buy a used car from this man?"
3 posted on 10/18/2003 1:57:45 PM PDT by ambrose (Free Tommy Chong!)
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To: ambrose
"Would you buy a used car from this man?"

Darrow is NOT a used car salesman - he is an auto-dealer - BIG difference!
4 posted on 10/18/2003 1:58:51 PM PDT by Pubbie (Vote "No" On Recall, "Yes" On Bustamante)
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To: Pubbie
Darrow gave Feingold three donations totaling $1,000 this year and last year, according to federal election reports

He runs against him, but donated to him?

This doesn't make sense, unless Feingold snubbed him for something.

5 posted on 10/18/2003 2:01:21 PM PDT by Dan from Michigan ("I don't want to Raise Taxes" "I think everything must be looked at" - Jennifer Granholm. (D))
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To: Dan from Michigan
He gave most of his Campaign donations to Republicans.
6 posted on 10/18/2003 2:02:32 PM PDT by Pubbie (Vote "No" On Recall, "Yes" On Bustamante)
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To: Dan from Michigan
Whatever happened to Mark Neuman?
7 posted on 10/18/2003 2:04:04 PM PDT by ambrose (Free Tommy Chong!)
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To: ambrose
Whatever happened to Mark Neuman?

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.

8 posted on 10/18/2003 2:09:12 PM PDT by JohnnyZ (Red Sox in 2004)
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To: JohnnyZ
What about Tommy Thompson?
9 posted on 10/18/2003 2:11:57 PM PDT by ambrose (Free Tommy Chong!)
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To: JohnnyZ
But Darrow has MUCH higher Name ID and more money and business connections than Michels does.
10 posted on 10/18/2003 2:12:33 PM PDT by Pubbie (Vote "No" On Recall, "Yes" On Bustamante)
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To: ambrose
What about Tommy Thompson?

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.

11 posted on 10/18/2003 2:17:25 PM PDT by JohnnyZ (Red Sox in 2004)
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To: Dan from Michigan
Big deal, he donated to Feingold. Like most businesses, he had to pay to get a chance to head off some new tax or regulation. Remember, business contributions to Democratic politicians are off because they can't pass dumb or punitive anti-business laws now.
12 posted on 10/18/2003 8:54:15 PM PDT by gogipper
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To: Dan from Michigan
Riordan gave to Davis. Bad example since he's practically a rat.

Look at Clark. He spoke at a Republican fundraiser. Another bad example cause Clark is a jealous bitch who is mad Bush didn't give him a position.

I do question the commitment of people who would give to the enemey. I would beg for change on the street before I'd donate a cent to the rats for ANY reason. Rats are evil you don't give them money for buissness reasons or anything else.

One of the GOP candiates for Governor of MN gave some $$$ to Rat Rep Oberstar. I think it was one of the issues that led to his defeat by Tim Pawlenty.

That being said it probably won't be a problem here.

Seems all the top candiates are waiting for Kohl to retire. Pity cause Russ is a ripe target. Chickens.
13 posted on 10/20/2003 8:28:14 AM PDT by Impy (Don't you fall into the trap, democrats are full of crap.)
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To: codercpc
*Ping*!
14 posted on 10/21/2003 2:23:33 PM PDT by Pubbie (Vote "No" On Recall, "Yes" On Bustamante)
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To: Pubbie
Thanks for the Ping. I am still so undecided, but thats what the primaries are for, right? I really have to do more reading on Michaels, I don't know enough about him.

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!!!!

15 posted on 10/21/2003 2:52:01 PM PDT by codercpc
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To: codercpc
I'm now rooting for Darrow myself.
16 posted on 10/21/2003 3:08:52 PM PDT by Pubbie (Vote "No" On Recall, "Yes" On Bustamante)
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To: Clintonfatigued; ForOurFuture
*Ping*!
17 posted on 10/21/2003 6:41:27 PM PDT by Pubbie (Vote "No" On Recall, "Yes" On Bustamante)
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To: Pubbie
Am rehashing this thread for Wisc Freepers because I just saw an ad for Russ Darrow who is running against Russ Feingold. Apparently I must be out of touch because this is the first that I had heard of it...
18 posted on 05/02/2004 8:55:54 AM PDT by jaugust (Old Curmudgeon)
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