Rumors began circulating in June that State Rep. Spencer Black, D-Madison, would be a possible candidate for governor in the upcoming 2006 election.
\I've been asked by a great number of people who are unhappy about the direction of the state ... to consider running,"" Black told The Daily Cardinal. While he is primarily concerned with maintaining his seat in the state Assembly, he may be hinting that he will indeed run, saying, ""I have not ruled it out.""
Black would stir up emotions in the Democratic Party because he would vie for a spot currently held by Democratic Governor Jim Doyle. Doyle's spokesperson, Ethnie Groves, says that the governor is aware of the possibility, but at this point, the governor is concentrating his energy on running the state and is not focused on the election.
""There are some things in the Doyle administration that I do support,"" Black said. But Black said he is concerned with the way the governor has handled certain state issues in his term, and one of those issues is employment. He said both the Job Creation Act I and II, have failed to reach their goals. Doyle's spokesperson denied this claim, and said, ""[the governor's] efforts have been very successful in job creation."" Groves cited the creation of 167,000 new jobs across the state.
Black also said he was dissatisfied with Doyle's reluctance to improve on environmental policy.
Black may have been temporarily relieved this summer when the governor revealed his conservation plan, but was still tentative to completely support the initiative.
""The governor has raided the Renewable Energy Conservation Fund and used it for other purposes. ... Our utility rates have gone up,"" Black said. He also said he believes a solid economy cannot be created by weakening the laws that protect the environment.
Atop Black's list of concerns, he said, is the problem facing higher education. ""Tuition has increased in the two Doyle budgets by more than 50 percent,"" Black said.
""It is essential to keep the university affordable to students of all economic backgrounds,"" said Brian Schactman, chair of the College Democrats.
Schactman said he has heard no major qualms with the way Doyle has handled the educational system and there is a general sentiment of support for the current governor.
A recent survey conducted by SurveyUSA places Doyle 30th in approval ratings out of all 50 governors.
When asked what would be the deciding factor for his potential gubernatorial bid, Black said, ""We'll see how Doyle does in the next many months, whether he adheres to Democratic values or not.""
