NEWS
State politicians gear up for 2006 election
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by Carolyn Smith
Tuesday, May 3, 2005
United States Rep. Mark Green, R-Wisconsin, announced at the Capitol Monday he intends to start a campaign for the 2006 state gubernatorial election.
The announcement in Madison was part of a two-day, six-city tour of Wisconsin to reiterate his plan to run.
Focusing on several key issues, Green said he would make some changes if elected governor.
“To make Wisconsin great again, we need straight talk and honest fiscal leadership,” Green said. “I’ll provide heavy doses of both.”
Green criticized current Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle for recent policy decisions, including tuition hikes for the University of Wisconsin System, state funding of faith-based initiatives and his refusal to sign the property tax freeze.
“These days, people feel a sense of doubt creeping in,” Green said. “Some are saying that we’re beginning to slip, and just maybe our best days have passed.”
Green will run against Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker in the Republican primary to be held in the fall of 2006. The winner will face incumbent Doyle in November.
Green said he would make a better candidate for governor than Walker because of his time in both the state and national politics, though he said he and Walker are good friends.
“I think the principle difference is one of experience and background,” Green said. “From my side, over the last 12 years I’ve had the opportunity to work with the coalitions I think make up the Wisconsin fabric of life.”
Though Green and Walker will be running against each other in the primary, they both agree to disagree with Doyle.
“I welcome Mark to the race and look forward to him joining me in pointing out just how out of touch with the people of Wisconsin Jim Doyle really is,” Walker said in a release. “The tremendous support I have received since announcing myself earlier this year has been extremely humbling, and it underscores the momentum we have to beat Doyle in 2006 and restore lower taxes and higher standards in Wisconsin.”
Green said past actions by both Republicans and Democrats are to blame for the state’s condition, but he added Doyle is responsible for much of it.
“Under Gov. Doyle, taxes are up, spending is up, borrowing is up, debt is up, tuition is up, fees are up and, for lots of folks, hope seems to be on the way down,” Green said. “Wisconsin deserves better.”
However, Democratic Party Spokesperson Josh Morby said Republicans will have a difficult decision to make in the primaries, adding that Green is wrong in saying Doyle has raised taxes.
“Right now their choices are a so-called fiscal conservative in Mark Green, who has helped the federal government rack up more than $3 trillion in debt,” Morby said. “Or a so-called reformer in Scott Walker, who is currently being investigated by the Milwaukee County DA’s office for illegally using taxpayer dollars.”
Morby said Doyle is not concentrating as much on the upcoming election as he is with current state issues.
“Governor Doyle is continuing to focus on creating jobs and providing affordable health care,” Morby said. “[November] 2006 is a long way away, and he’s focused on the future of Wisconsin.”
