No Real Race in Wisconsin AD-76

In the competitive 77th Assembly District, I saw three of the five Democratic candidates campaigning simultaneously at the Westside Community Market last Saturday (Bret Hulsey, Dianne Hesselbein, and Fred Ward) for the seat open due to Spencer Black's retirement. Another candidate, John Imes, has been working the Market for weeks, and I'm told that Green party candidate Ben Manski has also appeared.

In contrast, the 76th AD, where I live, has an excellent incumbent, Rep. Therese Berceau, who is not being seriously challenged by anyone with political experience. But there is an interesting candidate running as an independent, Torrey Jaeckle, who seems to have "Tea Party" positions on school choice, abortion, economics, taxes, and much else. Good old Ayn Rand and Milton Friedman are quoted throughout his positions, and Jaeckle, who helps run a business his grandfather started and his father built, seems to believe all that free market, minimal government and low taxes stuff like his hero Ronald Reagan. Formerly a registered Libertarian, he's for raw milk sales, concealed carriage of guns, and medical marijuana.

We'll see if he shows up at my door or at the Westside Community Market. Let's not tell him yet that he hasn't a prayer of winning.

- Barry Orton