Are Republicans in Madison overplaying their political cards?
The GOP-controlled State Legislature has decided that county executives should be barred from serving in the Legislature at the same time they hold their county offices.
It is an effort to prevent Winnebago County executive Mark Harris of Oshkosh, a Democrat, from running for the 18th District seat in the state Senate. Incumbent Rick Gudex, a Fond du Lac Republican, has announced he won’t seek re-election this year.
The Republican maneuver could turn Harris into a local government martyr. It will attract media attention and contributions. It could also stir speculation he might become a Democratic candidate for governor in 2018.
Republicans don’t need to retain the seat to keep the majority. They have a five-vote edge in the Senate, thanks in part to the district boundary lines the GOP majorities drew in 2011.
Republicans are in full control of state government. Gov. Scott Walker’s term extends until 2019. Republicans have better than a three-to-two advantage in the Assembly, even though they got just about 45 percent of the vote in the 2014 election.
“The bill is a sign of misplaced priorities of Republican leaders,” Harris said. “Rather than strengthening our communities and growing our middle class, Republicans in Madison continue to focus on retaining political power. I am running for the state Senate because Wisconsin deserves better.”
Other county executives have served in the Legislature simultaneously, such as Manitowoc County executive and former legislator Bob Ziegelbauer. The Republican legislative majorities did not try to prevent him from doing both jobs at the same time. His conservative politics, or the huge GOP majority, protected him from charges of “double dipping” by Republicans.
Perhaps Republicans are worried about this year’s elections, because voter turnout is much higher in years when there are presidential elections.
-Matt Pommer is the “dean” of Capital correspondents in Madison. His column is published with permission from the Wisconsin Newspaper Association, but does not reflect the views or opinions of the WNA or its member newspapers.
