Democratic Candidates for Lieutenant Governor

On Sept. 14, voters in the Democratic primary will select the running mate for the party’s nominee for governor, presumed to be Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett. The selection of the lieutenant governor will shape the strength and focus of the ticket. For some voters, the deciding factor will be the candidate’s position on specific issues; for others it will be geography, perceived electoral advantage in November or whether the candidate is ready to step in if the governor leaves office.

We’ve asked the four Democratic candidates for lieutenant governor to make their best case to Shepherd readers. Here they are in their own words:

Spencer Coggs: I Can Engage Disenfranchised Voters

State Sen. Spencer Coggs has represented Milwaukee in the state Legislature since 1982. Coggs has primarily focused on urban issues, such as public health, workforce development, lead poisoning prevention and racial disparities in the criminal justice system.For more information about Spencer Coggs, go to www.spencercoggs.com.

Why Coggs would be an asset to Tom Barrett: “This will be a base election. Milwaukee and southeastern Wisconsin have the largest number of Democrats (and potentially Democratic) voters in the state. And with the top two Democratic and Republican candidates coming from Milwaukee County, any anti-Milwaukee argument has been thrown out of the window. The average voter isn't holding being a Milwaukeean against Tom [Barrett] or Scott [Walker] at the top of the ticket and, quite frankly, they haven't gone down to the second spot to hold it against me, either. That said, getting the disenfranchised Democratic voter—typically poor, African-American, Hispanic, and (surprisingly) some progressives—out to vote in a non-presidential year is difficult. As Tom Barrett's running mate, I am the only candidate that can help him bring out his base in southeastern Wisconsin. Particularly in the general election, likely GOP candidate Scott Walker will try to draw significant Milwaukee votes.”

How Coggs would utilize the limited powers of the office: “I would use the office to focus on job creation, education and health care. The flexibility of the office allows for the ability to focus closely on the short- and long-term solutions for these major issues. Regarding job creation, I would focus on the expansion of small business development (where 80% of all employment comes from) and minority business development. The lieutenant governor's office would also be a one-stop shop for minority business certification. Regarding education, I would recommend some of the best practices of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) and I would propose a statewide summit in order to fix our school funding formula. Finally, on health care, I would maintain and expand the successful BadgerCare program and work to integrate the new federal health care exchanges with BadgerCare. I would also work to bring more dental health care to under-served urban and rural populations.”

Tom Nelson: I Can Win Tough Elections on Republican Turf

State Rep. Tom Nelson of Kaukauna was elected to the state Assembly in 2004 and was selected by his Democratic colleagues to be majority leader in 2009. Nelson championed a tough payday lending reform bill that served as the basis for a bill that passed in the last session.For more information about Tom Nelson, go to www.tomnelsonforwi.com.

How Nelson would be an asset to Tom Barrett: “I can help Tom Barrett win. One, I am the only candidate from the Green Bay-Fox Valley area. And if you are a Democrat and you can win the Valley—which I have done three times—you can win statewide. The math is that simple. Two, I am the only candidate with any experience of winning tough elections against tough Republicans—and in their own back yard. Despite representing a Republican-majority district, I have won re-election twice with over 60% of the vote. (And despite the political demographics of my district, I have never wavered from my progressive views and voting record.) This election will not be easy; I am the only candidate with the needed experience to win a tough election. Finally, I bring important legislative experience that can be used to help Gov. Barrett implement his legislative agenda. Additionally, I add experience and expertise in both rural and urban issues and can help offer that balanced perspective in a Barrett-Nelson administration.”

How Nelson would utilize the limited powers of the office: “I believe this next administration presents a unique opportunity to reshape and redefine the office of lieutenant governor. Before I entered the race, I sat down with Mayor Tom Barrett and talked about the role of lieutenant governor in his administration. I came out of that meeting with complete confidence that the mayor will include the lieutenant governor in helping shape his administration and writing policy. Indeed, I would not have gotten into this race if I did not believe Barrett was serious about making his lieutenant governor an active member of his administration. I look forward to assisting Gov. Barrett in whatever way necessary to implement his vision.”

Henry Sanders: I’m Dedicated to Job Creation

Waunakee resident Henry Sanders founded the nonprofit job-creation organizations Madison Area Growth Network and Propel Wisconsin Innovation and is president of Capacity-360, which advises firms seeking investment. For more about Henry Sanders, go to www.henrysanders.org.

How Sanders would be an asset to Tom Barrett: “As the only candidate with hands-on, real-world job creation credentials, I bring a skill set that no other candidate brings to the table. I’m the only candidate with economic development experience in the public, private and nonprofit sectors. Mayor Barrett and I share a vision for job creation and economic development, and both agree that the lieutenant governor must play an important role in those efforts. I’ve dedicated my career to job creation, and I see this as a unique opportunity to use my experience to help get folks back to work in Wisconsin. On the campaign trail, we’ve engaged the base and built a grassroots infrastructure that is unprecedented for a down-ballot race. We have nine field organizers on the ground around the state, coordinating door-to-door canvasses, phone banks, house parties and get-out-the-vote activities.”

How Sanders would utilize the limited powers of the office: “Tom Barrett has said that he wants his lieutenant governor ‘focused like a laser’ on job creation, and I couldn’t agree more. So the office will certainly change dramatically as the lieutenant governor takes on additional responsibilities in spearheading our state’s job creation and economic development efforts. But there’s also an important ‘off-the-clock’ role the lieutenant governor can play in leading our party and building grassroots infrastructure. This office will be much more than a ribbon-cutting position in the next administration, and I’m looking forward to rolling up my sleeves and getting to work.”

James Schneider: I Want to Head the Department of Commerce

Gotham, Wis., resident James Schneider is running on his business experience, which includes work in the fields of economic development, health care and construction. He is currently self-employed as a business trainer and motivational speaker. For more information about James Schneider, go to www.schneiderlg.com.

How Schneider would be an asset to Tom Barrett: “As an effective communicator who has an extensive background in the field of economic development, I would be able to help Tom Barrett get out his message of growing jobs and our economy to the voters in the state of Wisconsin. As his lieutenant governor I will offer to serve as head of the Wisconsin Department of Commerce so I can use my professional experience to help him successfully implement his policies that will affect business and job growth in Wisconsin. I will be his partner and point person in the area of economic development. I also feel very strongly that Wisconsin's economic development efforts must reach every area of our state and not be concentrated in one or two areas. My background in working in rural areas will help ensure that our administration reaches out to work with businesses throughout Wisconsin.”

How Schneider would utilize the limited powers of the office: “Working with communities and businesses to grow our economy and increase the number of jobs in Wisconsin will be the main focus of our efforts over the next four years. I have the most experience working with the communities, counties and regions of this state and will be ready to work on economic development issues beginning on day one. No one person makes economic development happen. It's always a partnership that leads to positive results. I want to be the governor's partner and play a lead role in our administration's efforts to grow our economy. I will offer to provide experienced and sustainable leadership for our top agency responsible for job growth, the Department of Commerce.”