Thursday, May 6, 2010
11:26 AM
Dems float names to replace Obey
The aftershock of longtime U.S. Rep. Dave Obey's decision to retire continues to ripple through the Wisconsin political scene.
State Reps. Amy Sue Vruwink and Donna Seidel said Wednesday they haven't determined yet whether they'll enter the race to replace retiring Obey, D-Wausau and powerful chair of the House Appropriations Committee. The two are among a handful of Dem lawmakers being discussed as possible candidates, along with Sens. Russ Decker, Julie Lassa and Pat Kreitlow, and Rep. Louis Molepske.
Other potential Dem candidates include Wausau attorney Christine Bremer Muggli, the former president of the Wisconsin Academy of Trial Lawyers, and Marathon County Judge Greg Huber, a former Dem Assembly member. Former state Sen. and Tourism secretary Kevin Shibilski said he also was thinking about getting into the race.
Sen. Bob Jauch and Rep. Ann Hraychuck have said they won't run. State Sen. Jim Holperin’s name surfaced as a potential candidate in some national stories on Obey’s retirement. But Holperin doesn’t live in the district and said “I’m not moving."
On the GOP side, Marathon state Rep. Jerry Petrowski is said to be looking to enter the primary race for the 7th CD Republican nomination along with Ashland Co. DA Sean Duffy and Rudolph farmer Dan Mielke. But a source tells WisPolitics that Petrowski may also be eying Decker's Senate seat should the Weston Dem opt for a congressional run.
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