Crunch time arrives for local elections
 4 comment(s)
By ROD STETZER
rod.stetzer@lee.net
Saturday, October 18, 2008 9:05 AM CDT
You hear much the same thing from Michelle Farrow and Al Holle.
People are excited about the Nov. 4 presidential and local election. They are stocking up with bumper stickers and political signs. Volunteers are are working very hard to try to make a difference election day.
Where the chairwoman of the Chippewa County Republican Party and the interim chairman of the county Democratic Party disagree is what effect the presidential race will have on local elections.
State polls show Democratic presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama has opened up a double-digit lead over Republican Sen. John McCain.
But Farrow said Republicans aren’t discouraged. She said there’s been increase in teen-age Republicans from Chippewa Falls Senior High School, and that the party this year has election offices in both Bloomer and Chippewa Falls.
“People are feeling positive about it locally,” Farrow said, adding that people are excited over vice presidential nominee Gov. Sarah Palin.
“She brings that breath of fresh air that everyone so desperately wants in government,” she added.
Holle said Obama’s large lead in the polls will be felt locally.
“I really do think because of the national election, it’s going to impact the local election,” Holle said. There will be many more people voting than if local candidates were the only ones on the ballot, he said.
He said the foot traffic into the Democratic headquarters has been heavy.
Both Holle and Farrow expect the 68th Assembly race between incumbent Republican Terry Moulton and Democratic
challenger Kristen Dexter will be hard-fought.
“It’s going to be a very tough race,” Holle said, adding that Dexter is an excellent candidate who stepped forward because she was concerned by Moulton’s record on such issues as health care.
“In this economic climate, I think all of the politicians are really fighting to get their message out that they are the ones who could be trusted,” Farrow said in agreeing it will be a tough race.
Farrow said Moulton will win because people know his record and know what he will do for them.
The 68th District includes the towns of Hallie, LaFayette and Wheaton in Chippewa County.
One untraditional race locally is in the 67th District, where the incumbent, Rep. Jeff Wood, switched from being a Republican to running as an independent.
Wood is being challenged by Republican Don Moga, who earned his place on the November ballot by getting over 1,000 write-in votes in the Sept. 9 primary.
“Don is a very honest man. He’s a straight talker and he is doing this so we are represented well in Madison,” Farrow said. “I am very excited by his campaign.”
The Democrats are in the odd position of having no candidate. Holle said it was one of those years when Democrats contacted potential candidates about running, but none thought it was the right time for them.
“There just wasn’t anyone who wanted to step forward,” Holle said.
The one Chippewa County race involves incumbent District Attorney Jon Theisen who is being challenged by Democrat attorney Holly Wood Webster.
Holle said Webster decided to run because she wasn’t satisfied with what Theisen was doing in office.
“This is going to be a much closer race than anyone anticipates, as well,” Holle predicts.
But Farrow said she’s very proud of Theisen’s re-election campaign.
“He’s also working very hard,” and has been lining up supporters, she said.
Farrow said if there was a thing she could change, she wishes the stealing of Republican and Democratic political signs in people’s yards would stop.
“It’s private property. Leave it alone,” she said.
As for Holle, he would like to see future elections not be swayed by money spent by outside interest groups.
“Let’s get back to the idea that we have two good candidates and let them discuss the issues,” he said.
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cf southside wrote on Oct 20, 2008 3:22 PM:
I'm sure his opponent is a good person but it does not appear that she has much experience. She only recently passed the Wisconsin State Bar Exam (2007) and has tried very few cases.
If this were a job interview instead of an election Jon Theisen would get the job based on his experience and more importantly his accomplishments.
Chippewa County deserves a DA with proven experience, accomplishments, and talent. We have that with Jon Theisen. "