2010 will be an exciting election year for partisans of both parties, as well as for political junkies like you. Polls are ambiguous about whether Americans and Wisconsinites are looking to veer to the right or the left this November, which means that both parties are aggressively targeting incumbents as well as defending their own vulnerable members.
A great example is Wisconsin's 87th Assembly district (PDF), Up Nort'. Currently represented by Republican Mary Williams, who narrowly won her last election during a tough year for Republicans, the district is now host to a vibrant Democratic challenger, 25-year-old Raised on a dairy farm, Schultz describes herself as a strong proponent of family farms, and she does not hesitate to take aim at groups and people whose agendas threaten them. For instance, she says she is disappointed with the governor's recent veto of a bill legalizing raw milk, especially in his comment that he was protecting the "entire dairy industry." To Schultz, Doyle was advocating for big factory farms, instead of family farms who have made and sold raw milk for generations. When asked if her advocacy for small farms will stoke opposition, she bluntly responds that she expects the Wisconsin Dairy Business Association to be a strong adversary. She cites Livestock Siting Bill and similar legislation as examples of the state saying that "bigger is better" in regards to farming, at the expense of agricultural communities and the environment. Another big part of Schultz's campaign is school funding reform. Although she does not give definitive answers on how to change the way rural schools are financed, she says the current system relies to heavily on property taxes, which are unstable. As a result, rural schools that are strapped for money often consolidate, as displayed recently by the proposed combination of Weyerhauser and Chetek High Schools. Unsurprisingly, the elimination of the Bruce High School girls basketball team hit close to home for the current coach and former UW-Milwaukee hoops player. Schultz says Wisconsin should take a look at Minnesota's system, in which the state provides more funding, rather than property taxes. She also believes a sales tax for education would provide a steadier source of revenue than property taxes, although like most Democrats, she worries that a sales tax is regressive and targets the poor and working class. Hence, she says that perhaps a small rise in sales tax and income tax might be an appropriate combination for school funding. Because Race to the Top grants are in the news, I asked Schultz what she thinks about teacher evaluation, whose lack thereof apparently costs Wisconsin federal dollars. "I think there's a difference between teacher evaluation and standardized tests," says the candidate, whose mother is a fourth grade teacher. Schultz believes an evaluation system, in which tests are supplemented with administrative and parental evaluation would be better. How is the race going? She just hit her 1000 door mark, and she noted the importance of going to local events in her enormous district, which takes two hours by car to cross. Dairy breakfasts etc. Schultz also says she expects her opponent to make social issues a centerpiece of the race, whether it be gay marriage, abortion or immigration. Nothing Schultz says seems to indicate she will deviate from the mainstream Democratic positions on these issues. I will stay tuned to this race and keep you updated on the happenings. Schultz will be in Madison tomorrow and is having a fundraiser. I will try to get a hold of Williams, for an opposing viewpoint as well.
