Democrat Jeffrey Thomas, Independent Norman Aulabaugh, Libertarian Don Bernau, Republican Paul Ryan (incumbent)
Health care is the issue most dear to the first district. It tops the agendas of both Ryan, the overwhelming front-runner of this race, and Thomas. Bernau wants to restore Constitutional checks and balances he said were violated by President Bush's going to war, while Aulabaugh is running to restore fiscal responsibility. Prediction: Ryan
Democrat Tammy Baldwin (incumbent), Republican Dave Magnum
Madison's district is pitting Baldwin, a liberal three-term representative, against Magnum, a moderate Republican and radio magnate. Baldwin touts her health-care agenda, while Magnum says his prior political inexperience gives him an advantage because he's not a Washington insider.
Prediction: Baldwin
Democrat Ron Kind (incumbent), Republican Dale W. Schultz
Kind is a budget hawk who wants, if re-elected, to reduce costs on health care and tuition. Schultz, however, is focusing his criticism on Kind's record in Washington. Schultz says Kind has not represented the views of western Wisconsin's farmers accurately. Prediction: Kind
Constitution candidate Colin Hudson, Democrat Gwen Moore, Independent Tim Johnson, Independent Robert Raymond, Republican Gerald H. Boyle
Even when incumbent Democrat Jerry Kleczka announced he would not seek re-election in November, it seemed inevitable that Moore would win. Boyle, while inexperienced governmentally, has run a David-versus-Goliath race focusing on the war in Iraq and Milwaukee's business climate. The other three candidates have even less of a chance at the seat. Prediction: Moore
Democrat Bryan Kennedy, Libertarian Tim Peterson, Republican James Sensenbrenner (incumbent)
Sensenbrenner, who has served as representative since 1978, served this session as the House Judiciary Committee chair. As such, he promoted the USA Patriot Act and the establishment of the Department of Homeland Security. Kennedy says Sensenbrenner has lost focus, while Peterson is interested in creating smaller government. Prediction: Sensenbrenner
Democrat Jef Hall, Republican Tom Petri (incumbent), Wisconsin Green Carol Ann Rittenhouse
This is the first District 6 race in years in which Petri has run opposed, but it is likely he will keep his seat representing this mostly rural district. Petri has served on Congress' transportation and education boards and touts this as a reason to re-elect him. Though a Republican, he supports drug importation from Canada and keeping the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge to from oil development. Hall likewise centers his campaign around the economy, while Rittenhouse is a party-line Green who is focusing on environmental issues. Prediction: Petri
Constitution candidate Larry Oftedahl, Democrat David Obey (incumbent), Wisconsin Green Mike Miles
Of Wisconsin's eight representatives, Obey has served the longest. He has not faced a serious challenge to re-election in recent years. His major issue is his opposition to Bush's foreign policy. Though he calls Obey \a great legislator,"" Miles says his years in politics have corrupted him. Oftedahl is generally conservative, but supports a repeal of the Patriot Act.
Prediction: Obey
Democrat Dottie LeClair, Republican Mark Green (incumbent)
Green, who won his last bid for Congress with 70 percent, seems poised to win again. In Congress, he has focused on homeland security, taxation and faith-based initiatives. LeClair, whose major issues include health care and the economy, has criticized Green for being too party-line. Prediction: Green
Sources: Wisconsin Public Radio, candidates' Web sites
