I appreciate the opportunity to say a few words about my record and about my candidacy for re-election as Wisconsin's attorney general. I was elected to this office in 2002. Prior to my election I served for almost eight years as United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, a position to which I was appointed by President Bill Clinton. I have also served in the Wisconsin Legislature and as district attorney for Winnebago County — and I continue to work as a hands-on prosecutor and advocate for the rights and interests of the citizens of Wisconsin.
I ran for the office of attorney general because I wanted to put my skills as an attorney and prosecutor to work in greater service to the people of this state — to protect children and our communities, to safeguard our basic rights and to protect Wisconsin's environment. I'm running for re-election today for the same reasons and hope you will consider my record of effectiveness and experience when you compare me to my opponents and vote in the primaries Sept. 12.
One recent issue I am particularly proud to have addressed as attorney general was the inaction by the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on the emergency contraception drug called Plan B. Long after deadlines for action had passed, the FDA refused to render a decision on the accessibility of Plan B — but not for any sound medical reasons. It was pure politics, driven by the hard right. I sued the FDA, calling for them to do their job and act on this drug. I argued that science, not politics, ought to be the determining factor in the agency's decision.
The FDA finally did approve Plan B. Women who in the interim may have chosen this emergency contraception drug — who may have been victims of rape or may have had other compelling reasons to exercise their right of reproductive freedom — were not provided the timely approval I argued they — we all — have a right to. The FDA's actions were not acceptable, and as Wisconsin's attorney general I used the power of the office to truly represent the interests of the citizens over a corrupted process.
Sadly, when it comes to women's health and reproductive freedom, the Plan B fiasco is no anomaly. Health insurance companies, such as HMOs, regularly cover prescription drugs used exclusively by men. Viagra, the erectile dysfunction drug, is regularly covered. Ironically, women's contraceptives have been routinely denied such coverage. I issued an attorney general's opinion that called for equity in coverage. I argued that denying coverage for a prescription drug used by only one gender is a discriminatory practice.
In another attorney general's opinion I also required the University of Wisconsin health service to provide access to emergency contraception, on much the same principle.
These issues represent only a small fraction of an attorney general's potential impact. For example, I have addressed numerous environmental problems over the past four years — prosecuting violators of Wisconsin's environmental laws, as well as joining historic lawsuits to fight global warming and take on the Bush administration's attempts to weaken standards for air and water quality. The people of Wisconsin gave me the tools to fight these battles, and I have used them. I will continue to do so if re-elected.
If the major issues I have worked on in this regard have one thing in common, it's this: I am not afraid to go up against a powerful special interest on behalf of the rights of average, or in some cases powerless, Wisconsin citizens. I've never been beholden to these wealthy and powerful special interests. I'm sure they actively oppose me; I am working to bring an end to their power and influence — not only the in courts, but through active investigations by the DOJ Public Integrity Unit and through legislative efforts at campaign finance reform that once and for all remove big money from our political process.
My record of actions speaks to what kind of attorney general I will continue to be if re-elected. Some have called me an activist AG, thinking the term to be derisive. Obviously an inactive AG is exactly what the hard right, the Bush Administration and perhaps those who get their marching orders from on high in Wisconsin, want from this office. I hope that in working hard for you I'll continue to make them less comfortable in their attempts to dismiss us, our rights and our environment.
To learn more about my candidacy, I encourage you to visit my campaign website at www.peg2006.org; to learn more about what your Wisconsin Department of Justice is doing every day, visit www.doj.state.wi.us.
Peg Lautenschlager is Wisconsin's Attorney General.
