Russ Darrow Hits The Streets In WI Senate Bid (Against Sen. Feingold)

Well-known through his car dealerships but a newcomer to the political scene, Russ Darrow has been crisscrossing the state to show voters what "The Darrow Difference" is all about in his bid for a seat in the United States Senate.

A longtime resident of Big Cedar Lake and the owner of 19 car dealerships and related leasing and financing companies, the 63-year-old Republican has decided to transfer his business over to his children and follow the campaign trail.

That move is attracting the attention of some high-powered political talent along the way, including former U.S. Sen. Robert Kasten, R-Wis., who is serving as an adviser to Darrow, and former Lieutenant Governor Margaret Farrow.

"Russ Darrow would bring a lot of ability and experience as well as a realistic attitude on what it would take to win the campaign," said Farrow, who has signed on as Darrow’s campaign chairperson. "I found in Russ Darrow a lot of passion and the need to have someone in this office that would represent what the majority of people in Wisconsin are about."

"It’s all about mutual respect and character - things you can’t ask for - you earn them over the years," said Darrow, adding that his real-world experience also gives him an edge.

"Creating jobs, living taxes, living health care issues, balancing budgets, making payroll and making a profit - I’ve done it all by being totally accountable," said Darrow. "Over time, people learn to trust you and trust your judgment. When people can trust your judgment, you’ve immediately met the most important test of being elected a representative of the people. It’s a huge reason why I decided to run and I plan to win."

"We are not being represented in Washington nearly as well as our state should be," said Darrow, who would like to replace another Russ - Feingold - who has held the senate seat the past 12 years.

Oconomowoc resident and self-employed businessman Tim Michels and state Sen. Robert Welch, R-Redgranite, are also running for the Republican nomination and Dodge County voters got a chance to meet the three at a Packer Party Sunday afternoon.

"I like to find out the positions of the candidates," said Aaron Armstrong, Fox Lake. "I look forward to seeing specific stances on issues as he puts them out," added Armstrong.

Transferring his business to his sons has made Darrow personally familiar with taxes imposed by the state and has become one of the planks in his campaign platform.

"The death tax makes it impossible for small-business people and farmers to transition their businesses to their sons and daughters," said Darrow, who is in favor of eliminating the penalty. "That’s the American dream - after you pay taxes all your career, you shouldn’t have to pay when you pass it down to your family."

In addition to vowing to cut taxes, supporting President Bush’s fight against terrorism, opposing partial-birth abortion and improving the business climate in Wisconsin by fighting against frivolous lawsuits, Darrow said he would never consider holding judicial nominations hostage.

"This has turned into the circus because the representatives are trying to do the right thing, which is bring the nomination up to a vote. Some Democrats, primarily Russ Feingold, who is on judicial committee himself, are stonewalling these quality nominees from the simple courtesy of a yes or no vote. It’s incredible and it’s not right," Darrow said.

Michels Campaign Website.

Tim Michels for U.S. Senate
A Leader with Wisconsin's Priorities!

A Little More About Me...

First Lady Barbara Bush, President George Bush Sr. & Tim

I was born in 1962 in Dodge County, Wisconsin and currently reside with my wife Barbara and our three children in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. Having grown up in the small farming community of Brownsville and after graduation from Lomira High School I attended St. Norbert College, subsequently earning a BA in Political Science. While at St. Norbert I participated in ROTC and graduated as a Distinguished Military Student receiving a commission as an Infantry Second Lieutenant in the United States Army.

Upon completion of Infantry Officer School and Airborne-Ranger training at Ft. Benning, Georgia, I served with Light Infantry units in Hawaii from 1985-1989 with a focus on counter-guerrilla operations in the Pacific basin and modern warfare on the Korean peninsula. While in Hawaii I was named the Air Assault School Honor Graduate and was promoted to the rank of Captain, becoming one the youngest Captains in the U.S. Army.

From 1989-1994 I served in Washington, D.C. as Commander of the Army’s Honor Guard Company with duties at The White House, the State Department, and Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. I ended my tour in Washington serving as an aide-de-camp for the Commanding General of the Military District of Washington.

After Washington, D.C., I was assigned duties as the commandant of the ROTC program at the Illinois Institute of Technology located in Chicago. Then, after twelve years of service, in July of 1996 I left the military having attained the rank of Major.

I have received an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago and a Masters in Public Administration from the Illinois Institute of Technology.

In addition to studying and taking weekend classes at the University of Chicago and weeknight classes at the Illinois Institute of Technology, I worked at the Chicago Board of Trade on the trading floors for agricultural commodities and U.S. Treasury bonds. It gave me a unique and intimate understanding of financial markets as well as a solid understanding of how grains and cash crops are priced for the all important agricultural industry in Wisconsin.

In 1996 I joined Michels Pipeline, our family business founded by my Dad in 1959. I’ve worked at the construction company since I was a teenager and am now the Vice President at Michels Corporation, a new corporate name that reflects the diversity of our companies abilities in the construction of energy, communications, and transportation infrastructure.

I’ve alway had a strong desire for further service to my community and country and that’s why I ran for the State Senate in 1998. Although unsuccessful in my first race I was invigorated by the experience and learned a great deal about campaigning and the political process. Because of the passing of my Dad that spring I was only able to mount a “too short” 90 day campaign.

Barbara and I are very active in community organizations and I am serving a second term as a trustee on the board at Marian College in Fond du Lac. I’m member of American Legion Post #91 in Oconomowoc, the VFW post in Oconomowoc, the Mayville Rotary, the Knights of Columbus, and stand ready to serve today as a member of the U.S. Army’s Individual Ready Reserve.

Family

Wife Barbara, five year-old son Hank, two year-old daughter Sophie, and new-born son Will
Members of St. Jerome’s Parish, Oconomowoc(Catholic). Currently serving on the committee to build a new church and school.

Education

Lomira High School, 1980 (public school)
St Norbert College, Green Bay, WI, Bachelor Arts, Political Science, 1984
University of Chicago, Masters of Business Administration, 1997
Illinois Institute of Technology, Masters of Public Administration, 1997

Business

Co-owner and Vice President of Michels Corporation, Brownsville, Wisconsin.
Michels Corporation provides over 1800 jobs as a top national construction company building communications, energy, and transportation infrastructure throughout North America
Michels health benefits and retirement benefits are unsurpassed in the industry reflecting Michels Corporation’s strong belief in taking care of people and families
The majority of employees are union members
Member of IBAW, NFIB, and numerous trade organizations representing the construction industry
Executive Committee for the Transportation Development Association, Wisconsin (TDA)
Worked on the trading floors at the Chicago Board of Trade

Military

Twelve years of active duty service as an Airborne Ranger Infantry Officer in the U.S. Army
Rank of Major
Upon promotion was one of the youngest Captain’s in the U.S. Army
Former Commander of the Army’s elite Honor Guard with duties at the White House, State Department, and Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Currently still serving in the IRR (reserves), member American Legion and VFW

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