Bob Welch in the U.S. Senate Republican primary
Four Republican candidates-State Sen. Bob Welch, R-Town of Marion, Russ Darrow, Robert Lorge and Tim Michels-are vying for the right to unseat Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis., on November 2. All these candidates have a firm right-wing stance and this editorial board must reaffirm its preference that Feingold retain his senate seat. However, it is crucial that, should Feingold lose his general election contest, Wisconsin send an independent-minded senator to Washington D.C.
Welch has been the State Senator from Wisconsin's 14th district since 1996, and during that time he has gained the experience needed to pass effective, well-reasoned legislation. Welch has shown a willingness to think independently-while he generally takes the Republican party line stance, he has voiced disagreement with the current president on a number of issues, most prominently the No Child Left Behind Act. This independent thinking is a characteristic that his opponents have not demonstrated. For this reason we endorse Bob Welch.
Dave Magnum in the U.S. House District 2 primary
This race features two candidates- Ron Greer and Dave Magnum. Greer is focusing on social issues, making sure his message of the importance of traditional family values rings loud and clear. While he claims to want to improve healthcare and produce jobs, he has no specific plan to do so.
Magnum is a centrist who carefully thinks out the issues. He is running on a platform of better healthcare coverage through incentives for businesses. In addition, he takes a much less hard-line stance on social issues than Greer, opposing a Constitutional amendment banning gay marriage. Though he has a lack of policy-making experience, his ability to compromise and his concise platform make Magnum the best Republican candidate.
Other downballot races
Dane County Clerk of Courts
Judith A. Coleman, the Clerk of Circuit Courts since 1996, has been responsible for improved access to the County Court system and the launch of the Clerk of Courts Website. Bob Syring, the current coroner, has a platform of improving the institutions Coleman has already set up. We endorse Coleman.
Dane County Treasurer
In a post like this, experience plays a major role. We endorse the incumbent, David M. Gawenda, over his less-experienced opponent Steve Ringwood.
Dane County Clerk
We endorse Bob Ohlsen, who has been Chief Deputy county clerk under the departing Clerk Joseph Varisi since 1996, over his inexperienced and largely anonymous opponent Brian Pruka.
