Did you see the BizTimes write-up about Larry Gamble’s candidacy against State Representative Jeff Stone yet? Wow is all I can say, because Stone didn’t hold back any punches until the Gamble candidacy was official via nomination papers being turned in. Stone responded to Gamble’s concerns by providing the following quote to BizTimes:
(Gamble) must have been misinformed, I have never supported the High-speed train, which I don’t believe will generate adequate ridership. Also, I have never been in favor of Obamacare. In fact, over the last several months, I have questioned the authority of the Doyle administration to proceed with plans to institute an insurance exchange in Wisconsin. I believe that the administration may be overreaching their statutory authority, and if they are, I would encourage a legal challenge to this first step toward imposing Obamacare in our state. I have spent the last session working and voting to create a photo ID for voting, to hold the line on spending and taxes, proposing legislation to end emission testing in our region while creating jobs, and fighting proposals to limit local government control over the placement of sex offenders in our communities.
Great. Now Jeff Stone is ditching his moderate side in a weird attempt to not just defeat, but obliterate Gamble in the September primary. Honestly, if Stone’s going to do that I suppose those who are moderate should sit on the sidelines and let this work itself out. I mean c’mon, don’t ditch what has worked so well for so many years! Simply put, that’s just not cool. Don’t create a situation where the moderates lose trust and vote for the other guy just because there’s a Plan B, or should I say, “Politician B”.
Stone is correct, though, in that he hasn’t been a strong supporter of the Milwaukee-Madison high speed rail line. He has been, however, one of the main politicians quoted in area publications and media when it comes to transportation issues, both road and rail. Remember that Stone was an influential figure in working behind the scenes for the Drexel Interchange, which now has $500,000 in Franklin taxpayer money and $4.37 million in Oak Creek taxpayer money towards it. But hey – that’s where his immense respect among area business and political leaders comes from. He knows the right people and can pull it off.
This is where I believe a Democratic challenger could have easily swept in and let the Republicans duke it out, hurting themselves in the process. As Zach correctly noted, Scott Dettman, who is now challenging State Peggy Krusick (D-Milwaukee), was supposed to be a challenger against Stone. However, it has been told to me personally that Democratic Party insiders convinced Scott not to run against Stone due to the district “never” going Democratic blue. As they always say though – “never say never”.
The good bulk of this is cross posted over at Franklin Today.
Dettman would have had a better time knocking off Stone in a three-way race than he’ll have in knocking off Krusick, even with the DPW’s help in the Krusick race. After all, Dettman’s going to have to explain his living situation, because the question could certainly be raised about whether he’s really living with his folks and what happened to the apartment he had in Stone’s district.
Just how many times did he say Obamacare? How very mature.
Actually now that I think about it calling it “Obamacare” in general is in a way a deception, since it isn’t a government health care plan anyway.
Jeff Stone has not distinguishd himself as an effective representive. Also, he is finishing up his 12 years in office. It is time for him to say goodby. He has lived at the publc trough long enough. We don’t need any more career politicians.