With Election Day just weeks away, it doesn’t appear the state Assembly races will reach the dramatic heights of the presidential contest between Republican nominee Donald Trump and his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton.
But some state Democrats say fear of a Trump presidency may spur an uptick in voting for down-ballot races, like those for seats in Assembly Districts 47, 76, 78 and 79 — each of which includes a slice of Madison.
In three of these races, self-professed independent men hope to unseat Democratic female incumbents. In the remaining race, it’s two young progressive males vying for an open seat.
Despite the partisan gridlock that continues to stymie Democrats in both chambers of the Legislature, many of the candidates say voters in Dane County are optimistic about the future of the state and the nation.
Below is a breakdown of the Assembly candidates Dane County residents will vote for when they take to the polls on Nov. 8. Two other Madison representatives — Terese Berceau and Melissa Sargent, both Democrats — are running unopposed.
Jimmy Anderson (left) and Adam Dahl
Distric 47
Jimmy Anderson expected to unseat three-term incumbent Robb Kahl in the August primary. But weeks after Anderson announced his candidacy, Kahl decided not to run for reelection.
Anderson later defeated two alders from the city of Fitchburg in the August primary.
“Voters in this district have liked the message I bring,” says Anderson. “They want someone who truly reflects their progressive values.”
But Anderson’s opponent, Adam Dahl, says he is the true progressive in the race, claiming Anderson represents the interests of the party’s wealthy elite.
“I think people, especially people in a district that voted for Bernie Sanders, want true progressive representation,” says Dahl, who is running as a “Bernie Sanders independent.” “Jimmy is a party politician, so he will do what the party wants.”
The district includes Monona, McFarland and parts of Fitchburg and south, east and west Madison.
On the issues, both say they want to roll back education cuts made under Gov. Scott Walker and invest more in renewable energy.
Dahl, who works in information technology, wants to follow the lead of Colorado, which will vote on a single-payer health care system next month. “Health care is a human right,” says Dahl.
Anderson says he would work toward strengthening the state’s safety net for vulnerable residents.
Chris Taylor (left) and Jon Rygiewicz
District 76
Democratic state Rep. Chris Taylor has successfully pushed legislation through the Republican-controlled Legislature, including a bill requiring state investigations into officer-involved shootings.
Her opponent, Jon Rygiewicz, is unimpressed, promising to introduce and bring to a vote a minimum of one bill per month.
“With my experience and resources, I felt like it’s beneficial for the future of Madison if I run,” he says. “Chris Taylor has never been on the good side of anything.”
But Taylor counters that Rygiewicz is “incompatible with the district.... He’s anti-marriage equality, he likes tax cuts for super-rich people. He’s so out of touch with this district.”
The district stretches from Vilas Park Drive on the west across the isthmus to Anderson Street on the north side.
A Libertarian, Rygiewicz is running as a Republican to take advantage of GOP funds. “I’m a poor guy,” says Rygiewicz, who manages a Domino’s pizza restaurant. “And if you look at the history of the Republican Party, it is still a good party; they’ve done very good things for the culture.”
Taylor argues that even though she’s been one of the most vocal opponents of the GOP agenda, she’s also found common ground with Republicans, as with the “Safe at home” bill, which allows victims of abuse, assault and stalking to keep their addresses private.
Though he worked “very hard for Scott Walker” in 2010, Rygiewicz says there is at least one area where he and Taylor stand on common ground: transparent government.
“I’m for stopping government overreach, but you can’t stop them if you don’t know what they’re doing,” he says.
In 2015, Taylor sponsored an amendment to enshrine the public’s right to open records in the state Constitution, but the measure failed.
Lisa Subeck (left) and Chris Fisher
District 78
Democratic incumbent Lisa Subeck says the rift between supporters of Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders hasn’t alienated constituents she’s spoken with while campaigning.
“When I’m out talking to voters, they’re excited about Hillary,” she says. “In my district, where there was a lot of support for Bernie, people are excited that she’s incorporating some of his ideas into her agenda.”
“People are really optimistic,” adds Subeck, whose district includes much of far west Madison. “They’re pleased with the representation I’ve given them, and as I’ve been around the state helping colleagues in the Assembly, I’ve seen that people are really fired up about the Democratic ticket.”
Chris Fisher, who works in information technology, got the urge to challenge Subeck during a brief period of unemployment earlier this year. The single father of two currently commutes to Milwaukee for work each day. He’s running as an independent.
“I’ve always had an interest in serving, so this was a perfect opportunity,” he says. “Listening to the people out there while campaigning...I love the process.”
Like Subeck, Fisher says voters in his district are an optimistic bunch. Although Subeck and Fisher aren’t far apart politically, Fisher says voters should look at who is funding their campaigns.
“I’m not taking donations,” he says. “From what I understand, she is taking full advantage of the campaign laws. I think there is a conflict of interest when you’re taking special-interest money.”
Subeck is one of the few Democratic Assembly members who successfully authored a bill that was signed into law by Republican Gov. Scott Walker. The law, which allows taxi drivers to park in disabled stalls when picking up riders with disabilities, was co-sponsored by Taylor.
“It was one of those moments where there was an opportunity to reach out,” she says. “Even as I was fighting against Republicans on some of the horrible, heinous things that are destroying our democracy, I was still able to work with them.”
When it comes to what distinguishes her from Fisher, Subeck points out that he skipped his League of Women Voters candidate interviews.
“I think that speaks to the difference between us,” she says.
Fisher, however, says the interview times offered to candidates conflicted with his work schedule. Nevertheless, he’s feeling good about the response to his candidacy.
“I’m hoping for the best,” he says. “I’m hoping for a tremendous turnout.”
Jordan Zadra (left) and Dianne Hesselbein
District 79
Jordan Zadra is running to unseat two-term Democratic incumbent Dianne Hesselbein for the Assembly’s 49th District.
But the race’s Republican candidate remains an unknown quantity. He was a no-show at a candidate forum held Sept. 12 at DeForest Public Library and did not respond to Isthmus’ request for an interview.
Hesselbein, a former Dane County supervisor who was first elected in an unopposed Assembly run in 2012, says she hasn’t met her opponent yet and therefore couldn’t comment on what sets them apart.
If elected, she says she would continue to push for the restoration of education funding and transparent government. She admits that being in the minority party isn’t easy.
“You can have a good idea that won’t see the light of day,” she says. “That’s why relationships are so important.”
The district is sprawling and far reaching, including parts of Middleton, Cross Plains, Waunakee, the town of Burke and a large swath north of Madison.
Hesselbein has helped shepherd through a few bipartisan bills benefiting Wisconsin veterans, as well as Alzheimer’s patients.
In his campaign literature, Zadra distances himself from Donald Trump and Walker. He proclaims himself liberal on social issues, but supports small government by increasing the efficiency of state-run programs.
