5th CD and Wisconsin State Presidential Election Analysis
Various Estimates of anywhere from 126.5 million to 135 million turnout nationwide. Beats the 2004 122.3 million turnout in total turnout.
Wisconsin had just under 3 million turnout in 2008 (70.89% turnout), short of the little over 3.2 million turnout in 2004 (73.82% turnout).
Nationwide the percentage was 53% to 46% with a 62.5 % turnout.
32 counties flipped from Republican to Democratic for the Presidential election.
550,000 votes were cast absentee in Wisconsin.
Wisconsin had the 2nd highest turnout in the nation (based on turnout rate). Only Minnesota beat us in turnout rate.
In 2000 Gore beat Bush by 5,708. In 2004 Kerry beat Bush by 11,384. In 2008, various reports show somewhere between 390,000 to 400,000 difference in the race between Obama and McCain.
Final percentage breakdown - 56% to 43%
Nationally, Youth turnout was about 21.6 – 23.9 million (an increase of 2.2 million compared with 2004).
County Results
Waukesha County
Bush took Waukesha County with 67% of the vote in 2004
McCain took Waukesha County with 63% in 2008. 9,837 fewer votes than in 2004 for Bush.
Washington County
Washington County McCain 64% v. Obama 35% Bush had 50,641 votes cast for him in Washington County in 2004, v. McCain’s 47,725, a difference of 2,916.
Ozaukee County
Bush took Ozaukee County in 2004 ~65% to Kerry’s less than 34% Bush had 34,904 votes in 2004, McCain captured 32,160 votes in 2008. 2,744 fewer votes.
McCain had 8% fewer votes than Bush but won with 60%, versus Obama’s 39% with 16% more votes than Kerry.
Milwaukee County
68% Obama vs 31% McCain
City of Milwaukee In 2008, 274,463 voters. 82.8% turnout (3,072 fewer ballots than 2004)
In 2004, Bush came out of Milwaukee with a 117,000 vote deficit.
In 2008, 77.8% Obama vs ~22% McCain
Dane County
Obama 73%
McCain 26%
November 4, 2008 Election Results
Congratulations to Sandy Pasch on her election to the 22nd State Assembly
And a big thank you to all of the Democrats (and Independents) who challenged Republican incumbents in elections that have generally been uncontested in the past. Let's all make this a trend going forward. Leave no partisan elected position uncontested.
To the public who supported these candidates by working on their campaigns - Thank You for your support and keep up speaking out on these issues so that the public becomes better informed about why they need to be voting for Democrats (or Independents), and not for Republicans.
Senate District 8
Sheldon Wasserman ( D ) 48,154 49%
Alberta Darling (Inc. R) 50,144 51%
Senate District 20
Clyde Winter (Ind) 17,109 20%
Glen Grothmann (Inc R) 69,935 80%
State Assembly District 14
Dave Hucke ( D ) 11,704 38%
Leah Vukmir (Inc R) 19,416 62%
State Assembly District 22
Sandy Pasch ( D ) 21,936 67%
Yash Wadhwa ( R ) 10,720 33%
State Assembly District 23
Dr. Rene Settle-Robinson ( D ) 12,999 42%
Jim Ott ( R ) 17,832 58%
State Assembly District 24
Charlene Brady ( D ) 12,558 38%
Dan Knodl ( R ) 20,509 62%
State Assembly District 31
Frank Urban ( D ) 10,848 33%
Steve Nass ( Inc R ) 21,758 67%
State Assembly District 38
Dick Pas ( D ) 10,293 34%
Joel Kleefisch ( Inc R ) 20,294 66%
State Assembly District 58
Greg Dombro (Ind) 4,889 17%
Pat Strachota ( Inc R) 23,603 83%
State Assembly District 60
Perry Duman ( D ) 9,817 30%
Mark Gottlieb ( Inc R ) 23,276 70%
State Assembly District 97
Ruth Page-Jones ( D ) 12,198 45%
Bill Kramer ( Inc R ) 14,742 56%
State Assembly District 98
Victor Weers ( D ) 9,495 28%
Rich Zipperer (Inc R ) 24,322 72%
Candidates for Assembly and State Senate in the 5th CD (Primary September 9)
Winners of the Primary Elections, will move onto the General Election on November 4, 2008
Senate District 8 Sheldon Wasserman ( D ) (seat is currently held by Alberta Darling - R)
Serving Milwaukee County, Ozaukee County, Washington County, and Waukesha County
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
A Strong Voice for a Strong District
Senate District 20 Seat currently held by Glen Grothmann ( R ) being challenged by Clyde Winter (Independent)
14th Assembly District Dave Hucke ( D ) vs. Leah Vukmir ( R ) inc.
Serving Milwaukee County, and Waukesha County
332 North 95th Street Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53226
22nd Assembly District (These are Democratic candidates running to fill the seat vacated by Sheldon Wasserman who is running against Alberta Darling):
Andy Feldman, andrew.r.feldman@gmail.com (414) 963-9150
Sandra Pasch, spasch.2008@sbcglobal.net 414-467-9962 www.sandrapasch.com
Guy W. Johnson, 2423 E. Shorewood Blvd. Shorewood, WI 53211
Dan Kohl (Senator Herb Kohl's nephew)
They are running against Yash Wadhwa running on the Republican Ticket.
23rd Assembly District Rene Settle-Robinson ( D ) vs. Jim Ott ( R ) inc.
Dr. Rene Settle-Robinson, is a podiatrist and active in the Milwaukee Co. party. She is African-American and also active in the African-American medical society, and President of the Cream City Medical Society.
She can be contacted at: 3353 N. Martin Luther King Dr., Milwaukee, WI 53212
24th Assembly District Charlene Brady and Torrey Lauer (both Democrats) are running against 4 Republicans for an open seat (being vacated by Jeskowitz - R ).
Serving Waukesha County, and Washington County
N109 W16620 Hawthorne Dr. Germantown, Wisconsin 53022
Brady for State Assembly
Together, we can make change happen.
31st Assembly District Frank Urban ( D ) vs Steve Nash ( R )
Serving Jefferson County, Walworth County, and Waukesha County
PO Box 92 Dousman, Wisconsin 531118
(262) 965-4666
furban@centurytel.net 
Positive Change Offered by Democrat
Frank Urban has had a long and distinguished career as a registered nurse, consultant, and nursing home administrator. Along with his Registered Nurse Diploma, he earned a B.S. in Political Science from UW-Milwaukee and completed graduate credits in Health Care Administration. His professional and life experiences as a caregiver, supervisor, consultant and administrator will serve us well in the Wisconsin Legislature. He also has a web page at:
33rd Assembly District no Democratic Candidate vs. Scott Newcomer ( R )
38th Assembly District Dick Pas ( D ) vs. Joel Kleefish ( R ) inc.
Serving Waukesha County, Jefferson County, and Dodge County
662 East Juneau Avenue Oconomowoc, Wisconsin 53066
262-567-7570
gpas@sbcglobal.net
58th Assembly District no Democratic candidate vs Pat Strachota ( R ) inc. vs. Greg Dombro (Ind.)
59th Assembly District no Democratic Candidate vs. Daniel LeMahieu ( R ) inc. being challenged by Karl McCarty in the Republican Primary
From: dave blouin [mailto:burroak15@charter.net]
Sent: Saturday, August 30, 2008 8:38 am
To: perry@dumanforassembly.org
Subject: Sierra Club Endorsement: Duman AD60
Dear Mr. Duman,
I am pleased to inform you that the Sierra Club has endorsed your candidacy for Assembly in appreciation of your demonstrated commitment to protecting the environment. You will receive a formal endorsement letter in the mail shortly. We will announce legislative endorsements to media next week.
Please be informed that our endorsement can be used by your campaign in many ways:
a) You may use the Sierra Club name in your campaign material. Simply list “Sierra Club.”
b) Mailing lists of the Sierra Club members in your district are made available for use in your campaign material within Club guidelines (which include conditions on use and require payment of the value of the use).
c) Requests for volunteers to help in campaign activities can be made to our Chapter Political Committee.
d) We encourage your campaign to publicize the endorsement and we would be pleased to offer quotes if you choose to do so.
We plan to alert our members of our endorsement of you. Sierra Club typically conducts its own direct mail and “Get out to vote” activities with its members.
Please let me know how we can be of assistance. I can be reached at (608) 233-8455 or burroak15@charter.net.
Congratulations,
Dave Blouin, Political Chair
Sierra Club - John Muir Chapter
H: (608) 233-8455
C: (608) 220-4040
97th Assembly District:
Democrats:
Ruth Page Jones, PO Box 1235, Waukesha, WI 53187-1235, 262-524-7887
Serving Waukesha County
PO Box 1235 Waukesha, Wisconsin
262-524-7887
ruth@ruthpagejones.com
http://www.ruthpagejones.com
Working for You - Working for Waukesha
Roger Danielsen, 1607 Cottonwood Drive, Waukesha, WI 53189
Steve Schmuki, 11430 Bluemound Road, Milwaukee, WI 53226 (office)
vs. Bill Kramer ( R ) inc. also being challenged by Thomas Russ (Ind.)
98th Assembly District Victor Weers ( D ) vs. Rich Zipperer ( R )
99th Assembly District no Democratic candidate vs. Don Pridemore ( R )
Statewide, Democrats are running in 13 of 16 Senate Districts and 93 of 99 Assembly Districts.
In contrast, Republicans are running in 13 of 16 Senate Districts and 76 of 99 Assembly Districts.
We need you to act today!
Here's your one chance to write directly to the Board of Directors at WMC.
The challenge: Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce, the state's big business lobby, is pumping its members to raise $1 million by Labor Day for TV ads this fall.
Their goal: A state legislature that bows down to the WMC anti-worker, pro-big business agenda that may cost you billions of dollars.
The solution: You.
It's that simple.
As recently reported in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, WMC has blanketed its members with a million-dollar fundraising solicitation to finance TV and radio ads, and direct mail. I think we all remember WMC's last foray -- misleading ads that helped put pro-corporate and ethically-challenged Supreme Court candidate Mike Gableman on the state's highest court.
Now is your chance to let WMC know exactly what you think about all of this. By clicking here, you can send an email message directly to every member of the WMC board of directors to share your thoughts and weigh in with your opinions.
http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/speakout/wmcads
Ready to make a difference? We've already seen two members of the WMC board of directors resign. The last time we asked for your help, the response was overwhelming. And now, by taking just a few moments by clicking here, you can let WMC's board know exactly what you think about its call for more corporate tax breaks and opposition to affordable health care for all.
http://www.onewisconsinnow.org/page/speakout/wmcads
Take action today and talk directly to the decision-makers at WMC. You can make a difference!
Thanks,
Scot Ross
Executive Director, Institute for One Wisconsin
WMCWatch.org
P.S.-- Remember, the emails you write will go DIRECTLY to the Board of Directors of WMC. This is your chance to let them know that we are watching them closely.
WMCWatch.org Alert
We regret to report that Justice Louis Butler was defeated by his opponent Mike Gableman (who was supported by WMC - Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce) for the ten year term on the Wisconsin State Supreme Court.
You may recall that WMC supported recently elected Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Annette Ziegler, who presided over dozens of cases in which her family held a financial interest yet failed to disclose to the litigants, nor recuse herself for her conflict of interest. The Capital Times in Madison reported that WMC spent over $2 Million to get Ziegler elected, surpassing the amount that Ziegler spent on her own campaign.
This recent election now swings the majority in the highest court in Wisconsin 4-3 in favor of conservative justices who are supported by Manufacturers.
So the next time that you hear that the Supreme Court of Wisconsin has struck down a lower court ruling awarding damages to the family of someone wrongfully injured or killed because of a manufacturing defect, or toxic ingredients, perhaps you'll think back to this election and know why.
While Madison and Milwaukee overwhelmingly voted for Justice Butler, the total number of voters turning out in the rest of the state voted overwhelmingly for Gableman. Unfortunately, it was estimated by the Government Accountability Board of Wisconsin (the new Board "replacing" the State Elections Board, but still run by the same people), that only about 20% of the total number of registered voters showed up to vote on April 1st.
Now maybe some voters thought that they were being fooled into thinking that there was an election that was being held on April 1st. But I think it is more likely that most people thought that with the high turnout during the February Primary election, that someone else would do the voting for them, and Democrats would overwhelmingly elect their candidates. Unfortunately, there appeared to be more voters thinking that someone else would show up to do the voting for them than
there were "someone elses" to actually show up to vote. There's a story that describes this pretty well:
EVERYBODY, SOMEBODY, ANYBODY, NOBODY
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is a story about four people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody. There was an important job to be done and Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it. Somebody got angry about this, because it was Everybody's job. Everybody thought Anybody could do it, but Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn't do it. It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done.
Let's hope that this is a wake up call for Democrats everywhere, and everyone else who is unhappy with the direction that this country has taken, that the elections on September 9th and November 4th are what will decide who is sitting in the seats we need to change the direction of this Country.
High voter turnout during primaries in February doesn't guarantee a win in November.
28% of voters still support Bush and Republican policies. If only 20% of all voters show up to vote, and they are mostly Republicans, guess who wins?
The first rule of winning is that you have to show up.
If you don't want a repeat of the last 7 plus years, show up to vote in September and November.
Support Justice Louis Butler
Justice Louis Butler was endorsed by the association representing City of Milwaukee police officers this morning at a press conference held before the start of Labor Day festivities. Justice Butler is up for retention in the April 1, 2008 general election.
Justice Louis Butler has been a strong leader, and he understands the needs of our community," said John Balcerzak, President of the Milwaukee Police Association. "He understands the needs of our citizens and the needs of our law enforcement officers. Wisconsin is safer with Justice Louis Butler on our Supreme Court." As the MPA noted in a press release and at this morning’s event, Justice Butler has had a distinguished career in public service, including a long tenure overseeing cases in Milwaukee Municipal Court, where MPA members often appeared before him.
"Our members find Justice Butler to be fair, impartial, and dedicated to justice," said Thomas Fischer, Vice-President of the Association. "His more than 15 years on the bench make him the right choice for Wisconsin." In addition to serving on the local court, Justice Butler was a Milwaukee County Circuit Judge before being appointed to the high court by Governor Jim Doyle in 2004. He is the Court's first African-American justice and the only member with roots in the Milwaukee criminal justice system. "We believe that Justice Butler's lifetime of accomplishment and his work behind the gavel make him the right choice for Milwaukee and Wisconsin," Balcerzak said. The Milwaukee Police Association is the largest local police organization in the State of Wisconsin.
“I am humbled and excited to have the support of law enforcement from our state’s largest city,” said Justice Butler. “I work every day to live up to the trust the people of Wisconsin have placed in me to be fair, impartial, and just.”
GENERAL ELECTION
Office of First District Supervisor - Milwaukee County TUESDAY, APRIL 1, 2008
This April 1, 2008, will be a unique election experience for everyone, unlike anything you have experienced before or are likely to see again. The office of First District Supervisor will be determined wholly by “write-in” votes. There will be no names listed on the ballot for Supervisor. If you intend to participate in determining your elected County Supervisor, you must “write-in” a name or use a sticker to indicate your choice.
Why “Write-In” LIPSCOMB?
THEO LIPSCOMB declared his write-in candidacy for Supervisor after the incumbent’s nomination papers were rejected by the County Election Commission. The incumbent’s papers contained dozens of invalid signatures from outside of the district, addresses that could not be verified, and other errors. As a result, no candidate’s name will be printed on the ballot for this office. Lipscomb filed as a registered “write-in” candidate to give voters an opportunity to choose a Supervisor who will represent the interests of all residents. Lipscomb believes that voters deserve a representative who knows the district and is willing to work diligently on their behalf.
Who is Theo LIPSCOMB?
THEO LIPSCOMB is a life-long resident of Milwaukee County and has lived in the First District for more than 24 years. Lipscomb knows the entire district, which is a vital and diverse mix of Glendale and Milwaukee neighborhoods. His deep understanding of the district and its various neighborhoods was honed as he attended school, worked, and worshiped in the area. Lipscomb has traversed the district by bus and car thousands of times and has enjoyed the benefits of the district’s many parks. Lipscomb graduated cum laude from the School of Architecture and Urban Planning at the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee. He parlayed that into experience in the private sector, non-profit sector and entrepreneurship. Married in 2004, Theo and Nicole (Ramey) Lipscomb live in Glendale with their 15 month old daughter Taylor.
What are some of the issues?
You have probably heard a great deal about the pension scandal and its long term effects on the Milwaukee County budget, which for 2008 is more than $1.3 billion. If you read the nearly 500 page budget you will see higher taxes, reduced services, and more borrowing. More than half of your County property taxes now go to the important job of providing public safety. The deterioration of our park system and the decline of our public transit system are two tangible examples of the negative effects of decisions made by Milwaukee County in recent years. The Milwaukee County Park System is a proud legacy and a vital asset that we need to save for future generations. Public transit is the County’s most powerful and effective tool in promoting economic development and greater self sufficiency; it provides transportation to school, jobs, medical care, and shopping for thousands of residents. Milwaukee County’s future as a safe, healthy, and prosperous community depends on the decisions that we make today.
Please “Write-In LIPSCOMB” for Supervisor on April 1, 2008.
I want to represent you, and I pledge to work hard to make Milwaukee County great again. If you would like to discuss an issue with me, please feel free to call 414 . 350.0609
Theo Lipscomb
(Note: Theo Lipscomb was successful in his race for First District Supervisor.)
The following is a letter from Dr. Steve Kagen, 8th CD Representative to Congress, who is running for re-election and is up against a heavily financed Republican challenger, whom he just barely defeated last year. He needs all the support he can get, so please help him out. The letter was sent out last fall, so some of the information is outdated, but the request for assistance is still very timely, and even more so today than last year.
KEEP DR. STEVE KAGEN IN CONGRESS
Dear Friend,
I need your help today to keep working for you. Last November, people voted for change. They voted against Washington insider politicians who had failed to listen to ordinary people. Today, people across the nation are still frustrated with our endless occupation of Iraq and impossible costs for health care. But the times are a changing. This 110th Congress represents the very beginning of the change America desperately needs. I’m proud to write to you today as a vocal agent of change – after all, you didn’t elect me to Congress to sit in the back row and be silent. Today, more than 47 million Americans do not have access to affordable health care, with over 500,000 living right here in Wisconsin. People are not just losing access to their own doctors, they’ve lost all they have. Impossible health care costs are the most frequent cause for people going bankrupt. Fixing this catastrophe is one of my top legislative priorities. It’s time for a common sense solution to this growing catastrophe.
There are 534 members of the United States House of Representatives and Senate who have the best health benefits money can buy, but I refused mine. I didn’t run for Congress to get great health benefits for myself; I ran to guarantee access to affordable health care for the every citizen, everywhere in these United States. A few weeks ago, the House voted to increase funding, three fold, for the successful State Children’s Health Insurance Program. This federal-state partnership, known as SCHIP, benefits low-income children and with this increase, millions of uninsured children would receive quality care. It’s a working solution to a growing problem, but now the president has threatened a veto.
I’m proud of the work we’ve done so far. But the problem didn’t end with the passage of SCHIP - we still have much work to be done. I need your help. It was through your efforts and dedication that I became a member of Congress, and I will need your help more than ever to win again. My re-election will be one of the most expensive in Wisconsin history. And until we establish public financing of our federal elections, it will continue to cost millions to deliver our message of hope.
You will make a real difference by supporting my re-election efforts. With a contribution of $25, $50, $100, $250 or even $500, you will send a clear message to the Washington establishment that Steve Kagen is our best hope for fixing our country’s health care crisis. Your support now will give our campaign the crucial resources we need to deliver my message. I’m asking you to make a stand with me today by supporting my campaign with a contribution AND signing The Declaration of Health on my website at
www.kagen4congress.com .
To have the maximum impact, please contribute before the fundraising deadline of September 30th.
Thank you for your consideration and strong support. By working together, we will build a better nation for all of us.
Kindest Regards,
Steve Kagen, M.D. Member of Congress
P.S. Your contribution of $25, $50, $100, $250, or even $500, will help me reach my goal for this quarter, and I can’t thank you enough for your support.
Keep Kagen in Congress.
PJ Duman for Assembly
I'm running for Representative to the Wisconsin State Assembly from the 60th District. [The district is in the central portion of Ozaukee County and includes Cedarburg, Grafton, Newburg (in Washington County), Saukville, and Port Washington.]
Web site: www.dumanforassembly.org
Address: PO Box 213, Port Washington WI 53074-0213
Phone: 262-268-6642
There is extensive information regarding my positions on the "Issues" page of the Web site. Of interest, also, might be the "Comments" page. I've also attached a concise page of issues talking points for your use.
Let me know if there's anything else you need.
Thanks so much for all your help and support.
Regards,
~PJ~
Talking Points: Issues
Each of these issues should be addressed as a “moral imperative” with the purpose of moving Wisconsin forward.
Health Care:
We must have a single-payer, comprehensive-coverage, universal health care system (ie, health care for all).
Education:
We must fully fund the entire public education system in Wisconsin; including early-childhood, K-12, the technical college system, and the University of Wisconsin system.
Jobs / Economy:
We must encourage the growth of high-paying tech and green-collar jobs.
We must sustain our existing economic base, including manufacturing and agriculture, while encouraging the growth of new industries.
We must encourage those going into the highly-needed jobs of education and health care.
Environment:
We must encourage sustainability.
We must reduce greenhouse gas emissions and all other pollution.
We must create and encourage new green industries.
Taxes / Budget:
We must reform the tax structure to encourage economic parity for the poor and middle-class.
We must close the loop-holes that allow corporations to pay no taxes.
The budget process must include long-range planning, not just thinking budget-to-budget.
Equality Fairness and equality for all Wisconsin citizens.
Campaign Finance Reform:
We must have public financing of all campaigns.